NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) CEO David Njeng’ere confirmed that the final Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam will be administered in 2027.
This declaration was made during the release of the 2024 KCSE exam results on Thursday.
“I wish to remind the public that the last KCSE examination will be administered in 2027,” Njeng’ere stated, signaling the end of an era for the traditional exam that has been a pivotal part of Kenya’s education system since its inception in 1985.
With this, KNEC has urged those who wish to retake the national exams to do so before 2027.
“And, therefore, we wish to invite any person who wishes to do a repeat either partial or full to take advantage of the remaining three chances,” Njeng’ere added.
The phasing out of the KCSE is a significant milestone as Kenya transitions to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), a move aimed at enhancing the country’s educational framework.
The 2027 examination will mark the last opportunity for students to sit the KCSE under the 8-4-4 system, which has shaped the academic journey of Kenyan students for nearly four decades.
Njeng’ere acknowledged the resilience of students who commenced their KCSE journey in March 2021 amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This cohort, which began their KCSE examinations in March 2021, demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability during a challenging period in our education system,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the 2024 KCSE exam cycle, Njeng’ere noted significant improvements in the administration process.
KNEC successfully managed 10,754 examination centers, with the assistance of 101,250 professionals, including teachers, Ministry of Education officers, and security personnel.
“We didn’t have a single case of early exposure of the second session,” Njeng’ere highlighted.
Looking ahead, Njeng’ere encouraged students and educators to prepare for a smooth transition as the CBC framework continues to take shape in the coming years.
In addition, Education CS Julius Ogamba announced the introduction of a mid-year series of KCSE exams starting July each year.
This initiative aims to accommodate candidates wishing to repeat the exams or those who missed them due to illness or unforeseen hardships.
The KCSE, which began in 1985 with the introduction of the 8-4-4 education system, has been a cornerstone of Kenya’s academic assessment for decades.
As the country moves towards a more competency-based approach, the final KCSE exam in 2027 will mark the end of an educational chapter, paving the way for a new era in Kenyan education.
This declaration was made during the release of the 2024 KCSE exam results on Thursday.
“I wish to remind the public that the last KCSE examination will be administered in 2027,” Njeng’ere stated, signaling the end of an era for the traditional exam that has been a pivotal part of Kenya’s education system since its inception in 1985.
With this, KNEC has urged those who wish to retake the national exams to do so before 2027.
“And, therefore, we wish to invite any person who wishes to do a repeat either partial or full to take advantage of the remaining three chances,” Njeng’ere added.
The phasing out of the KCSE is a significant milestone as Kenya transitions to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), a move aimed at enhancing the country’s educational framework.
The 2027 examination will mark the last opportunity for students to sit the KCSE under the 8-4-4 system, which has shaped the academic journey of Kenyan students for nearly four decades.
Njeng’ere acknowledged the resilience of students who commenced their KCSE journey in March 2021 amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This cohort, which began their KCSE examinations in March 2021, demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability during a challenging period in our education system,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the 2024 KCSE exam cycle, Njeng’ere noted significant improvements in the administration process.
KNEC successfully managed 10,754 examination centers, with the assistance of 101,250 professionals, including teachers, Ministry of Education officers, and security personnel.
“We didn’t have a single case of early exposure of the second session,” Njeng’ere highlighted.
Looking ahead, Njeng’ere encouraged students and educators to prepare for a smooth transition as the CBC framework continues to take shape in the coming years.
In addition, Education CS Julius Ogamba announced the introduction of a mid-year series of KCSE exams starting July each year.
This initiative aims to accommodate candidates wishing to repeat the exams or those who missed them due to illness or unforeseen hardships.
The KCSE, which began in 1985 with the introduction of the 8-4-4 education system, has been a cornerstone of Kenya’s academic assessment for decades.
As the country moves towards a more competency-based approach, the final KCSE exam in 2027 will mark the end of an educational chapter, paving the way for a new era in Kenyan education.
