Kenya has reached a historic milestone after the Ministry of Education released the first-ever Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) results a defining moment for more than 1.13 million learners who are the pioneers of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
For thousands of families, Wednesday’s announcement brought a mix of excitement, relief, and curiosity as learners now prepare to transition to senior school in January 2026. Many parents, who have watched the CBC evolve in real time, described the moment as “the beginning of a new era” for the country’s education system.
‘Learners Have Shown Impressive Promise’ CS Ogamba
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, speaking at the New Mitihani House in Nairobi, said the results show that the CBC cohort is developing both academic knowledge and practical competencies.
He noted that seven learning areas including Integrated Science, Social Studies, Hindu Religious Education, Creative Arts and Sports, Kiswahili, Christian Religious Education, and Agriculture showed an improvement in the number of learners meeting expectations.
“The learners have shown impressive promise,” Ogamba said, adding that the gender distribution remained nearly balanced, with 578,630 boys and 551,829 girls sitting the assessment.
He further revealed that 59.09% of learners demonstrated potential to pursue the STEM pathway, 46.52% qualified for Social Sciences, and 48.73% for the Arts and Sports pathway — a reflection of the CBC’s goal to offer diverse learning options based on individual strengths.
Photos shared by the ministry showed the CS alongside senior officials, signaling the significance of the new assessment structure and Kenya’s ongoing education transition.
A Shift Away From Traditional Ranking
Unlike previous national examinations that fueled intense competition, the KJSEA results were released without ranking. Instead, learners were placed into four broad performance bands Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Approaching Expectations, and Below Expectations.
Officials say the move is meant to reduce pressure, focus on holistic development, and encourage students to grow at their own pace.
The KJSEA score is based on a blended model:
- 20% from the KPSEA (Grade 6),
- 20% from school-based assessments in Grades 7 and 8,
- 60% from the final summative KJSEA examination.
Each of the nine subjects carries a maximum of eight points, with a total possible score of 72.
Understanding the Performance Bands
- Exceeding Expectations: 75–100% (7–8 points)
- Meeting Expectations: 41–74%
- Approaching Expectations: 21–40%
- Below Expectations: 0–20%
Each band is further subdivided into eight proficiency levels, offering a more detailed view of each learner’s abilities.
Education experts say the new system emphasizes growth, not just test-taking — a core principle of the CBC.
How Parents Can Access Results
To make the process smoother, the Ministry has opened both SMS and online platforms.
For individual results:
- Visit kjsea.knec.ac.ke
- Enter the Assessment Number and one registered name
- Accept the privacy notice
- View results
For schools:
- Headteachers log in to cba.knec.ac.ke
- Click Results
- Download the institutional report
Parents across Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and other towns reported that the platforms were accessible, though some noted short delays due to high traffic.
Senior School Placement Coming Next Week
The government confirmed that senior school placement including allocation to CBC pathways like STEM, Arts & Sports, and Social Sciences will be completed next week. Parents will track placements digitally, a move expected to reduce anxiety and speed up preparation ahead of reopening.
For learners like 14-year-old Michelle from Nakuru, the results mark the end of three years of adjusting to a new curriculum. “I’m happy with my points. I want to take the STEM pathway because I love science,” she said, clutching her printout as her mother smiled proudly beside her.
Across the country, families are now preparing for the next step. For the pioneer CBC class, the real journey one built around talent, choice, and competency begins now.
