Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured Kenyans that the government is fully prepared for a smooth transition of learners under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, as the 2025 national examination and assessment season officially begins.
Ogamba said the Ministry of Education has developed a robust plan that includes a budgetary allocation for 1,600 new laboratories in schools that currently lack them.
He explained that this is part of preparations for the historic 2026 transition of the first CBE cohort to senior school.
“The textbooks for use by learners are ready for distribution countrywide and will be in schools before the start of Term One,” he said.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025 national examinations and assessments, the CS added that Sh950 million has been allocated this financial year to retool teachers to ensure effective delivery of the new curriculum.
Ogamba emphasised that accountability and prudent use of resources remain key priorities.
He revealed that the Ministry is finalising a verification exercise to determine the actual number of schools and learners at the basic education level.
“Thus far, a total of 37,128 schools with 8,820,703 learners have been verified, and capitation has already been disbursed to them. Only verified schools and learners will continue receiving funding,” Ogamba said.
On the 2025 national examinations, Ogamba noted that 1,130,669 learners will sit the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), 1,298,089 candidates will take the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), while 996,078 candidates will sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
He stressed that the KJSEA will be a critical tool in placing learners into senior school pathways—STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science—pathways that will shape their career choices and future contributions to the nation.
“This is why we must ensure that examinations and assessments reflect the honest work of learners. We will have no mercy on anyone caught engaging in malpractices,” Ogamba warned.
He urged all centre managers, invigilators, and supervisors to enforce strict compliance with regulations.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok echoed the CS’s message, affirming that the Ministry and KNEC had rolled out comprehensive safety and security strategies for exam administration.
“It is expected that everyone will actively support this process to ensure success,” Bitok said.
Acting TSC CEO Eveleen Mitei urged teachers to handle their responsibilities with integrity.
“The lives and destiny of our learners depend on the peace and professionalism with which you conduct these exams. Do not compromise on rules, quality, or your conscience,” she said.
