• At the top, Exceeding Expectations (EE) is split into EE1 worth 8 points and EE2 worth 7 points, showcasing learners who perform far above the required standards. Meeting Expectations (ME) follows, with ME1 at 6 points and ME2 at 5 points, representing learners who adequately achieve the set competencies.

Four days after the Ministry of Education released the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results, Kenyans continue to question what this new system means. Online platforms are buzzing with reactions, with many expressing nostalgia for the old 8-4-4 system and its competitive edge.

On X, @amiasabundantia writes: “We don’t recognise that. We want KCPE and KCSE back! Stop killing education. Without competition, education remains a leisure with little effort to pursue basic knowledge to the peak. We want 8-4-4 back.”

@sleekstan1 adds: “This is ranking. A student who has 65 points is better than the one who got 10 points. Senior School admission is based on the points. We cannot have an education system without competition. The world is competitive.”

@Prince_James_II voices concern: “We are just waiting to see the criteria you shall use to post the learners in various institutions. If no ranking and unhealthy competition, I would be glad to see an EE2 learner in a National School.”

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) insists the new reporting system aims to reduce unhealthy competition. “Reporting in KJSEA uses descriptive terms rather than raw marks, to avoid reviving the excessive competition associated with the former 8-4-4 system,” says KNEC.

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Under the Competency-Based Assessment Framework (CBAF), KNEC reports achievements using four descriptors: Exceeding Expectations (EE), Meeting Expectations (ME), Approaching Expectations (AE), and Below Expectations (BE). Each descriptor is subdivided into two levels, creating an eight-point scale.

At the top, Exceeding Expectations (EE) is split into EE1 worth 8 points and EE2 worth 7 points, showcasing learners who perform far above the required standards. Meeting Expectations (ME) follows, with ME1 at 6 points and ME2 at 5 points, representing learners who adequately achieve the set competencies.

Approaching Expectations (AE) includes AE1 at 4 points and AE2 at 3 points, indicating learners who are close to meeting the required standards but still need support. Finally, Below Expectations (BE) is the lowest category, with BE1 at 2 points and BE2 at 1 point, reflecting learners who demonstrate minimal performance and require significant assistance.

This structured scale shifts the focus from raw marks to competency levels. KNEC believes it encourages growth, reduces unhealthy competition, and aligns education with the broader goals of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

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