The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) announced on Wednesday, April 24, that certain schools will administer Grade 9 exams in June 2024.
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Speaking during the Inaugural Annual Symposium on Competency-Based Assessment held at the College of Insurance in Nairobi’s South C, KNEC CEO David Njengere clarified that the exams were part of the preparations for the Grade 9 summative assessment.
Njegere revealed that the council is in the process of developing tools for a pilot program to be conducted in selected schools in June.
By October, we will issue sample papers to inform every learner at Junior School of how they will be assessed at Grade 9,” He stated.
Njengere engaged education stakeholders gathered to discuss common interests and strategize the implementation of CBC.
The KNEC Boss disclosed that the Grade 9 assessment stemmed from a 2012 task force recommendation that prompted KNEC to undergo a transformative shift in its identity.

Kenya National Examinations Council CEO David Njeng’ere during the National Assembly education committee meeting ;Image/File
The transformation involves transitioning from singular, terminal exams to nurturing learners’ potential through ongoing assessments.
Consequently, students will no longer sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary and Secondary Education exams.
KNEC did not disclose the schools selected to pilot the inaugural Grade 9 national assessment test.
Following the national exams, Grade 9 students will advance to senior school for Grades 10, 11, and 12 studies.
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In senior school, students will have the freedom to choose their career path from disciplines such as Arts & Sports Sciences, Social Sciences, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Upon completing Grade 12 studies, students will become eligible to enroll in colleges and universities of their choice.