In a landmark development for Kenya’s education sector, the results of the inaugural Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) are set to be released on December 11, 2025. This marks the first major national examination under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), signaling a shift away from traditional rote learning toward a more skills-oriented approach. Over 1.1 million Grade 9 students who sat for the exams between October 27 and November 3, 2025, are eagerly awaiting their outcomes, which will determine their pathways into senior secondary school.
The KJSEA, administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), represents a critical test for the CBC system introduced in 2017. Unlike previous assessments such as the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), the KJSEA emphasizes practical competencies over memorization. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced earlier that the results would be released by December 11, with KNEC handling the process to ensure credibility and efficiency. This release comes amid high anticipation, as it will provide the first concrete data on how well the new curriculum is preparing students for future challenges.
Understanding the KJSEA Scoring System
One of the most notable changes with KJSEA is the departure from traditional grading and ranking. Students will not receive percentage scores or letter grades like A, B, or C. Instead, their performance will be categorized into descriptive levels based on expectations, with a total possible score out of 8 points across subjects. The categories are as follows:
– **8 points**: Exceeding Expectation 1
– **7 points**: Exceeding Expectation 2
– **6 points**: Meeting Expectation 1
– **5 points**: Meeting Expectation 2
– **4 points**: Approaching Expectation 1
– **3 points**: Approaching Expectation 2
– **2 points**: Below Expectation 1
– **1 point**: Below Expectation 2
This system aims to reduce competition and stigma associated with low scores, focusing instead on individual growth and areas for improvement. Importantly, no physical certificates will be issued for KJSEA, as the assessment is formative rather than summative, designed to guide placement rather than certify completion.
Placement into senior secondary schools will be based on these results, with students channeled into pathways such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or Social Sciences, depending on their strengths. The Ministry of Education has indicated that there will be opportunities for corrections if initial placements do not align with a student’s abilities or preferences.
How to Access the Results
Accessing KJSEA results has been made straightforward and accessible. Parents, guardians, and students can check via SMS by sending the learner’s assessment number to 22263. The service costs Ksh30 per message and provides detailed results along with school placement information. Alternatively, results may be available through the KNEC portal or collected directly from schools. Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok emphasized the importance of this digital approach to ensure quick and widespread access.
For those seeking school options post-results, tools like the Learnademy School Finder allow users to explore institutions by county, type, and features, helping families make informed decisions amid the January 2026 intake.
Implications for the Curriculum and Future Education
The KJSEA results are more than just scores—they are a litmus test for the CBC’s effectiveness. With 1,130,679 candidates participating, the outcomes will highlight strengths in areas like critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills, while potentially exposing gaps in implementation. Education stakeholders, including teachers and policymakers, are watching closely, as these results could influence future reforms.
Unlike past exam celebrations filled with public rankings and top-performer parades, KJSEA’s release is expected to be subdued, aligning with the curriculum’s focus on holistic development rather than competition. This shift has sparked mixed reactions: supporters praise it for reducing pressure on students, while critics worry it may dilute academic rigor.
As Kenya transitions fully to CBC, the KJSEA sets the stage for senior secondary education, where students will specialize in three pathways: STEM, Social Sciences and Humanities, or Arts and Sports. The results will also inform government planning for infrastructure and resources in senior schools.
Challenges and Expectations
While the release is a cause for optimism, challenges remain. Some parents have expressed confusion over the new system, with anecdotes of students preparing excuses for potential underperformance. Additionally, the simultaneous anticipation for Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) results adds to the week’s educational buzz.
Education experts urge families to view the results as a starting point, not an endpoint. “This is about building competencies for life, not just passing tests,” noted a recent analysis. As the clock ticks toward December 11, the nation holds its breath for insights that could shape the future of Kenyan education.