Why Grade 6 and Grade 9 Learners Won't Receive Certificates

A Paradigm Shift in Kenyan Education

In October 2025, over 3.4 million learners across Kenya sat for national assessments, marking a significant milestone in the country's educational transformation. But unlike previous years, these students particularly those in Grade 6 and Grade 9 will receive something fundamentally different from what their predecessors received: comprehensive competency reports instead of traditional certificates.

This change represents more than just a policy update; it signals a fundamental shift in how Kenya measures, values, and recognizes student achievement. The Ministry of Education, led by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, has confirmed that learners completing the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) for Grade 6 and the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) for Grade 9 will not receive certificates. Instead, they'll be issued with detailed performance reports that comprehensively describe their competencies across various learning areas.

Why the Change? Understanding the Philosophy

The decision to replace certificates with performance reports is rooted in several core objectives that align with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework:

1. Reducing Examination Pressure

The previous 8-4-4 system placed enormous emphasis on high-stakes, one-off examinations like the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). This created an environment of intense competition and pressure that often overshadowed the learning process itself. According to CS Ogamba, the new approach is intended to "reduce the intense pressure and competition associated with the former KCPE" and create a learning environment that values skill acquisition over rote memorization.

2. Emphasizing Continuous Assessment

Under the CBE framework, assessments serve as diagnostic tools rather than final judgments. The KPSEA and KJSEA are designed to monitor learning progress and provide actionable feedback to students, teachers, and parents. This shift from summative to formative assessment recognizes that learning is a continuous journey, not a destination reached through a single exam.

3. Fostering Holistic Learning

The new assessment model takes a more comprehensive view of a learner's abilities. For Grade 9 learners, the final placement score is a composite: 60% from the KJSEA summative assessment and 40% from school-based assessments, including projects and formative tests conducted throughout Grades 7, 8, and 9. This integrated approach, as explained by Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) CEO Dr. David Njeng'ere, "provides a more holistic view of a learner's abilities" and moves away from "exam-oriented culture to one that nurtures critical thinkers."

What Replaces Certificates?

Comprehensive Competency Reports

In place of traditional certificates, learners receive detailed reports that describe their performance across various learning areas. Grade 6 learners receive a transition report that details their competencies, while Grade 9 learners receive a more comprehensive transcript at the end of junior school.

These documents differ significantly from traditional certificates:

• No Letter Grades: Instead of A, B, C, or D grades, students receive qualitative descriptors such as:
  • "Exceeding Expectations" - Demonstrates mastery beyond expected level
  • "Meeting Expectations" - Demonstrates competency at expected level
  • "Approaching Expectations" - Shows progress toward expected competency
• Competency-Based Analysis: Reports focus on specific skills and competencies rather than overall scores
• Diagnostic Information: Detailed insights help identify strengths and areas for improvement

Confidential Assessment Scores

Detailed assessment scores are shared exclusively with the Ministry of Education for placement purposes. This move is designed to prevent the public ranking of schools and students that characterized the KCPE era, which often led to unhealthy competition and pressure.

When Do Students Actually Receive Certificates?

Certification will only be issued at the end of senior school (Grade 12), which will be known as the Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE). This final certificate will be based on the learner's chosen specialisation pathway, whether Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

This approach aligns with the CBE's structure:

• Grade 6 (KPSEA): Transition report for moving to junior school
• Grade 9 (KJSEA): Detailed transcript for pathway placement in senior school
• Grade 12 (KCBE): Final certificate upon completion of basic education

Implications for Different Stakeholders

For Learners

Students benefit from a less stressful learning environment that values skill acquisition and practical application. The focus on competency development encourages a growth mindset, where learners understand that improvement is possible through continuous effort. The detailed feedback in reports helps students identify their strengths and areas needing development, fostering self-awareness and self-directed learning.

For Parents

Parents gain a clearer, more comprehensive understanding of their child's learning journey. Instead of a single letter grade, they receive detailed information about their child's competencies across different learning areas. This enables more targeted support at home and helps parents better understand their child's educational progress beyond what a single examination score can convey.

For Educators

Teachers are encouraged to adopt more formative assessment methods, focusing on the development of skills and competencies over time rather than preparing students for a single high-stakes exam. This shift requires a change in teaching methodology and assessment practices, moving from content coverage to competency development.

For Schools

Educational institutions need robust systems to track student competencies, manage continuous assessments, generate comprehensive reports, and maintain detailed records of student progress. This is where modern student management systems become crucial.

The Role of Technology in CBE Implementation

The successful implementation of the CBE assessment model requires sophisticated tracking and reporting capabilities. Schools need systems that can:

• Track Competencies Continuously: Monitor student progress across multiple competencies throughout the academic year
• Generate Comprehensive Reports: Create detailed performance reports that reflect competency levels rather than simple grades
• Manage School-Based Assessments: Record and weight formative assessments, projects, and continuous evaluations
• Facilitate Parent Engagement: Provide parents with real-time access to their child's progress and competency development
• Support Pathway Placement: Generate the composite scores needed for Grade 9 to senior school pathway placement

Looking Ahead: The Future of Assessment in Kenya

As Kenya continues to embrace the CBE, the focus on detailed performance reports over traditional certificates represents a significant step toward a more holistic and learner-centered education system. This approach:

• Aligns with global educational trends toward competency-based learning
• Prepares Kenyan learners to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing world
• Emphasizes the development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills
• Reduces the stigma of perceived failure among young students
• Fosters a culture of lifelong learning

The inaugural assessments in October 2025 with 1.13 million learners sitting for KJSEA and 1.29 million for KPSEA mark the beginning of this new era. As KNEC implements stringent measures to ensure assessment credibility, the focus remains on whether this new assessment model will successfully nurture competent, innovative, and confident learners prepared for future challenges.

Conclusion

The transition from certificates to competency reports for Grade 6 and Grade 9 learners is not merely a procedural change; it's a fundamental reimagining of how we recognize and value student achievement. By moving away from high-stakes, one-off examinations toward continuous, competency-based assessment, Kenya is investing in an education system that prioritizes learning over testing, growth over grades, and competency over comparison.

For schools navigating this transition, having robust systems in place to track competencies, manage continuous assessments, and generate comprehensive reports is essential. As Kenya continues to refine the CBE implementation, educators, parents, and students alike are discovering new ways to measure success that extend far beyond traditional certificates.

The question is no longer "What grade did you get?" but rather "What competencies have you developed?" And in that shift lies the true transformation of Kenyan education.

For more insights on implementing the CBE curriculum and managing competency-based assessments, visit our blog regularly or explore how modern student management systems like EduPoa™ can support your school's transition to the new assessment framework.

About EduPoa™: EduPoa™ is Kenya's leading student management system designed specifically to support the Competency-Based Education. With advanced tools for competency tracking, digital portfolio management, real-time performance analytics, and automated report generation, EduPoa™ enables schools to effectively implement the CBE framework and provide comprehensive competency reports to learners and parents.