NAIROBI, Kenya — DP Kithure Kindiki has congratulated the 993,226 candidates who sat for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), praising students who qualified for university and encouraging those pursuing other training opportunities.
In a statement on social media, Kindiki noted that 270,715 students have attained grades for direct entry into universities.
He also acknowledged the remaining students, emphasizing that their paths could include tertiary education, vocational training, and skills development opportunities. “Examination results are not an end in themselves but a means to an end,” he said.
Kindiki highlighted the ongoing transition from the 8-4-4 education system to the Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) system, scheduled for full implementation by 2027.
He said CBET will equip students with practical and adaptable skills, producing a human resource capable of supporting Kenya’s ambition to join the ranks of the economic first world within a generation.
“While the 8-4-4 programme has served Kenya well, CBET is a superior alternative,” he stated. The government has reportedly taken deliberate steps over the last three years to ensure a smooth transition, including curriculum adjustments, teacher training, and infrastructure upgrades. These measures are expected to continue until the new system is fully operational and refined for optimal performance.
Education experts say the CBET approach focuses on competency acquisition, practical skills, and applied learning, aiming to produce graduates who can immediately contribute to the workforce and meet evolving economic and technological demands.
The system is designed to replace the exam-centric model of 8-4-4 with a more holistic and adaptable education framework.
Kindiki urged students, parents, and educators to embrace the changes, stressing that Kenya’s long-term development relies on an education system capable of producing not just certificate holders but skilled, innovative, and employable citizens.
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