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Govt moves to clear confusion over KJSEA grading system

Lutta Njomo 14th December, 2025 12:26 AM

Caption:Grade 10 placement set for release by December 20 as Education PS Bitok assures parents. VIDEO/K24TV

The national government, through the Ministry of Education, has taken steps to address the growing confusion surrounding the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) grading system and placement.

Speaking on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Mt. Elgon, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, clarified that in the current system, learners are assessed using four main qualitative grades: Exceeding Expectation (EE), Meeting Expectation (ME), Approaching Expectation (AE), and Below Expectation (BE).

He further explained that each grade is further divided into two sub-levels – EE1, EE2, ME1, ME2, AE1, AE2, BE1, and BE2 – with points ranging from 8 to 1.

Bitok thus clarified that EE does not mean learners have failed.

“We have heard some parents complaining that why is it that their children have scored EE. The EE we are talking about here is not like the ‘E’ of KCPE; EE here means Exceeding Expectation, actually is the best,” Bitok stated.

Bitok sentiments arose after some parents were left struggling to interpret what the scores actually meant and how they would impact the upcoming transition to senior school.

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, also on Saturday, December 13, 2025, called on the Ministry of Education to look into the parents’ concerns over the grading system confusion.

However, Bitok insisted that EE was not a weak score in the just-released KJSEA exam results.

Second chance to revise

Despite the grading system, some parents also raised concerns over the KJSEA pathways. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is for learners with a strong aptitude and interest in scientific and technical subjects, while Social Sciences prepares learners for careers that require strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Art and science is the last pathway that caters to learners with talents and interests in creative and athletic fields.

Education PS Julius Bitok speaking to the public at West Pokot County.PHOTO/@JuliusBitok/X

According to PS Bitok, learners will have an opportunity to revise their pathways.

“Sasa tutawapatia nafasi ingine kutoka wiki ijayo ili waeze kurevise their choices. Kama ulikuwa umechagua STEM na results imelalia social science utapewa nafasi ili uweze kuchagua mahali unataka kuenda,” Bitok revealed.

On preparation, the PS assured the country that schools will be ready to receive the learners starting in the second week of January 2026.

“Most of our senior schools are ready, and we are expecting by January, second week all the senior schools students will report to school.”