Revolutionizing Education: Kenya’s Overhaul of National Examinations and Grading System for 2023 KCSE

The Ministry of Education in Kenya has recently announced significant changes to the administration of national examinations, particularly focusing on the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). These changes come alongside the introduction of a revamped grading system. The upcoming examination period, slated from October 30 to November 24, will involve 3.5 million candidates undertaking various national exams, including the Kenya Primary Schools Examinations (KPSEA), Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), and KCSE.

Under the new grading structure, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu disclosed that candidates will now compute their mean grade based on just two mandatory subjects. Mathematics is designated as the first compulsory subject, while the second can be chosen from English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language—whichever yields a higher score for the candidate. This reform is aimed at simplifying the examination process and is expected to increase the number of students qualifying for university admission, diploma courses, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs at certificate and artisan levels.

The traditional requirement of examining candidates in five mandatory subjects across three cluster groups, including mathematics, English, Kiswahili, two sciences, and one humanity, has undergone a substantial transformation. The move towards a streamlined grading system was emphasized by Education Cabinet Secretary Machogu, who highlighted the collaborative effort with key stakeholders in reaching these decisions during a meeting focused on the new grading structure for the 2023 KCSE exam.