Why E is the new A

Top KJSEA students at Roots Academy, Jeremy Njagi, who attained a 7.7 average and Rosemary Wakanyi, who scored a 7.6 average, celebrate with teachers, parents, and students on December 11, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Candidates who sat the first Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) have ushered in a results era defined by a series of historic changes. 

In a striking shift, girls outperformed boys nationally, scoring better results in 10 of the 12 subjects, a first in the national examinations.

But perhaps the most symbolic transformation lies in the grading itself, as the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, the once-dreaded “E” — long associated with failure — has been elevated to represent excellence. 

On Thursday morning, as more than 1.13 million learners accessed their results, they encountered a system that rewards mastery through what they can do, rather than punishing them for what they fail to recall. 

The new structure positions E as the pinnacle of achievement, redefining success for a new generation with the cream of the crop now ranked under the band Exceeding Expectation or EE.

The second best band is Meeting Expectation (ME), then Approaching Expectation (AE) and the lowest mark will be Below Expectation (BE).

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, while realising the results, announced that over 75 per cent— more than 840,000 candidates— secured a rank that grants them admission to senior secondary school after securing AE band and above in all subjects.

The test scores give 60 per cent of the final mark, and will be combined with the Grade 6 results and the school-based assessments to inform the student placement to senior school in an exercise that begins next week.

Another first was the subtle, almost muted culture surrounding the release. 

Unlike the past high-energy ceremonies filled with fanfare, cheering schools and detailed ranking breakdowns, this year’s announcement took place in a quiet boardroom at the New Mtihani House in South C, with only a small circle of officials.

Notably absent were key education stakeholders from headteachers to union leaders and representatives from private schools, marking a deliberate departure from the ranking-driven spectacle.

Kenya National Examinations council (Knec) Chief Executive Officer David Njengere said for the first time, learners’ performance has been reported using a blend of data collected over several years—combining Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) results, school-based assessments, Grade 9 projects and the final summative test.

This, he said, demonstrates a departure from one-off, high-stakes examinations to a more comprehensive and learner-centred evaluation system.

“This milestone confirms that our education system is evolving, prioritizing skills and continuous learning as we guide learners into senior school,” said Dr Njengere.

Education CS said the candidates would know the senior schools they would be joining by December 20.

He further indicated that senior schools have the capacity to accommodate all learners.

"We have a senior school capacity of 2.2 million seats. Every child who sat the KJSEA will transition to an appropriate pathway," Ogamba said.

At the same time, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the ministry has adopted the CRA formula in placement of the students.

The candidates, he said, would have a five-day window to petition for a change in school placed once the exercise is completed. They report to their respective schools starting January 12.

The Teachers Service Commission affirmed its readiness to support the transition. Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei said 30,800 senior school teachers are currently undergoing retooling to ensure they can effectively support the diverse needs of the CBE pioneer learners. 

“Our teachers are ready and prepared to receive the Grade 10 learners,” she said, describing their role as the backbone of the CBE rollout and pivotal to shaping Kenya’s next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

Out of the 12 subjects offered at junior secondary, seven recorded a higher proportion of learners performing at ME and EE. 

Creative Arts and Sports registered the strongest performance, with 96.84 per cent of learners attaining AE and above, followed by Agriculture (96.24 per cent), Kiswahili (93.11 per cent), and Social Studies (92.93 per cent). 

Others are Hindu Religious Education (84.62 per cent), Integrated Science (61.77 per cent), Social Studies (58.56 per cent), Creative Arts and Sports (58.04 per cent), Kiswahili (57.98 per cent), Christian Religious Education (53.96 per cent), and Agriculture (52.26 per cent).

Mathematics emerged as one of the weakest performed subject, with only 32.44 per cent of the 1,130,459 learners meeting or exceeding expectations.

Kenyan Sign Language posted an even lower performance at 22.14 per cent, making the two subjects’ areas of critical concern as the country prepares to place learners in senior schools next week.

However, despite the poor performance in Mathematics, Ogamba said 59.09 per cent of learners demonstrated readiness for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways, while 46.52 per cent qualified for Social Sciences and 48.73 per cent for Arts and Sports.

In the assessment, Nairobi led in the number of candidates who sat the test with 71,022 candidates, followed by Kakamega with 59,384 and Nakuru 54,028.

The assessment, sat between October 27 and November 3, comprised 578,630 male and 551,829 female candidates.

A total of 41 counties recorded a significantly higher entry of male candidates compared to females. Only one county—Mombasa—achieved perfect gender parity, with a 50:50 distribution. 

In Isiolo, Nairobi, Samburu, Marsabit, and West Pokot, more girls than boys wrote the KJSEA assessment. 

Five counties registered the highest proportions of overage learners, aged 16 years and above. Kilifi led with 64.90 per cent, followed by Kwale at 64.78 per cent, Garissa 63.38 per cent, Taita Taveta  62.06 per cent and Mandera at 62.05 per cent. 

At the other end, counties with notable concentrations of underage learners, aged 13 years or below, included Baringo with 10.10 per cent, Bomet 7.56 per cent, Marsabit 7.48 per cent, Narok 7.28 per cent, and Kericho with 7.25 per cent.