KPSEA Results Released at Night Without Notice

On the evening of January 7, 2025, at 8:15 PM, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) announced via Twitter (X) that the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) results for the 2024 cohort were available on the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal. Schools were advised to log into http://cba.knec.ac.ke to access learner-specific reports. While the results are a milestone for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), being the first national assessment outcomes since its inception, the timing and manner of their release raise serious concerns.

An Unusual Announcement

The announcement of the KPSEA results came late in the evening, with no prior communication about the date or time of release. This lack of transparency left parents, schools, and stakeholders in the dark, further fueling frustrations about how the new education system is being managed. Releasing such critical information under the cover of night is highly irregular. It denies families and schools the opportunity to prepare adequately for the news and raises questions about why KNEC chose this approach. Was it an attempt to avoid scrutiny, or does it reflect deeper systemic issues within the government’s handling of education reforms?

CBC Under the Spotlight

The surprise release of the KPSEA results is emblematic of the broader confusion surrounding the implementation of CBC. Since replacing the 8-4-4 system, CBC has faced consistent challenges that highlight a lack of cohesive planning and execution. These issues have culminated in delayed results, textbook shortages, and a confused administration that seems reactive rather than proactive.

Key Challenges of CBC

Lack of Clear Communication

The delayed and unannounced release of KPSEA results mirrors the unclear messaging parents and teachers have faced since CBC was introduced. Stakeholders are often left guessing about critical timelines, whether for examinations, textbook distribution, or policy changes.

Resource Gaps

Many schools lack the infrastructure, textbooks, and digital tools needed to implement CBC effectively. This shortage disproportionately affects rural and underprivileged areas, widening the education gap. For example, textbook delays for Grades 7 and 8, announced earlier this month, are yet to be resolved.

Assessment Challenges

Continuous assessment, a cornerstone of CBC, has been inconsistently applied due to inadequate teacher training and a lack of standardized evaluation tools. This raises concerns about the validity and reliability of KPSEA results as an accurate reflection of learner competencies.

Government Confusion

The government has been unable to provide clear policies on crucial aspects of CBC, such as the domiciling of junior secondary schools and the rationalization of the curriculum. The result has been a patchwork implementation that leaves teachers, students, and parents struggling to adapt.

High Costs and Socio-Economic Disparities

CBC implementation requires significant financial investment, both at the national and household levels. Many parents struggle to afford the materials required for practical lessons and projects, further marginalizing students from low-income families.

A Pattern of Misdirection?

The manner in which KPSEA results were announced raises concerns about whether the government and its agencies are deliberately avoiding scrutiny. Transparency and accountability are essential for any reform to succeed, yet the CBC rollout has been characterized by opaque decision-making.

Recent Examples of Poor Planning

Delayed Textbooks

At the start of the 2025 school year, parents discovered that textbooks for Grades 7 and 8 would not be available until February, months into the academic calendar. This delay stems from curriculum rationalization processes that were seemingly rushed or poorly coordinated.

Junior Secondary Confusion

Debates over whether junior secondary schools should be housed in primary or secondary institutions remain unresolved, creating logistical and administrative challenges for schools.

Impact on Education

The lack of preparedness and clear communication around CBC reforms is eroding trust among stakeholders. Teachers feel ill-equipped, parents are overwhelmed by costs and unclear expectations, and students are caught in a system that appears to prioritize optics over practical solutions. The unannounced release of KPSEA results is a symptom of deeper issues that require urgent attention. While the government claims CBC will produce well-rounded and skilled graduates, its implementation thus far has been marred by confusion and inequity.

The release of the 2024 KPSEA results should have been a moment of celebration for Kenya’s education system, but instead, it has brought the systemic challenges of CBC back into focus.