Over 1.3 million Grade 6 learners across Kenya began their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) on Monday, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. Unlike previous national exams, the government has decided to reduce police presence inside the classrooms to create a more relaxed environment for the students.
Education cabinet secretary Julius Ogamba emphasized that security officers will only accompany the exam materials to the schools and will not enter the classrooms. This move is aimed at ensuring that the learners feel at ease during the assessment process.
The KPSEA is a crucial evaluation that determines the progression of learners to Grade 7 (Junior School). Unlike the phased-out Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KPSEA is not used for placement purposes. The assessment is divided into two parts: formative and summative. The formative assessment, which accounts for 60% in each learning area, has already been completed by the students and assessed by their teachers. The current assessment, which is marked by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), makes up the remaining 40%.
Last year saw the last cohort of the 8-4-4 system sit for the KCPE exams, officially phasing out the system in primary schools. In various counties such as Siaya, Homa Bay, Nyamira, and Kisii, the examination process is underway smoothly, with government officials ensuring the integrity of the tests and preventing any malpractices.
In the Mt Kenya region, the distribution of KPSEA examination papers commenced without major issues, with some counties reporting minor technical hitches. Education officials in Murang’a and Meru confirmed that all examination centers received their materials on time, allowing the candidates to start the exams as scheduled.
Senate education committee chair Joe Nyutu reassured pupils and students that KPSEA is a routine assessment that should not cause unnecessary stress, as all learners will progress to Grade 7 regardless of their results. Security measures have been put in place across the Rift Valley region to ensure the smooth running of the exams, with senior government officials monitoring the process closely.
Overall, the KPSEA marks a significant step in the academic journey of Grade 6 learners, with authorities ensuring a fair and secure examination environment for all participants.
