English Or Kiswahili: How 2023 KCSE Grading Structure Works
In the new grading system, only two mandatory subjects, Mathematics and one language (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language), will be used to compute the mean grade.
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Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu has unveiled a new grading structure that will be implemented in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Speaking on Monday during the launch of the examination season at the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) headquarters, Machogu revealed that the changes will apply to all future KCSE candidates.
According to CS Machogu, the changes are aimed at increasing the number of students who qualify for the tertiary education level.
In the new grading system, only two mandatory subjects, Mathematics and one language (English, Kiswahili, or Kenyan Sign Language), will be used to compute the mean grade.
Education CS, Ezekiel Machogu during a past address. /FILE
“Previously there were five mandatory subjects across three cluster groups - Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, two sciences and one humanity,” said Machogu during a stakeholders' engagement on the new grading system at the New Mtihani House.
Additionally, examiners will be required to pick five of the best-performed subjects from a candidate, doing away with the previous grading system.
"In addition to the two mandatory subjects – the Kenya National Examinations Council will consider any other five best-performed subjects. It is expected that the new reform measure will increase the number of students qualifying for universities, Diploma and TVET training at Certificate and Artisan levels," said the Education CS.
The previous system was perceived to disadvantage some learners whose best-performing subject was not considered if not within the clusters, as has been the case since the inception of the 8-4-4 education system.
The most controversial out of the changes, it can be argued, is the choice of grading either English or Kiswahili, compared to both languages being graded at once, a historic move which has since caused debate.
Some Kenyans lauded the move for lessening the burden that students have to encounter in scoring the required grades to get to university education, but others argued that the choice risks reducing the necessity to learn Kiswahili as the country's national language.
"Some of these things don’t make sense at all! Wonder what informs such a decision. Maths is not a guide for intelligence.
"Sets a dangerous trap to deny university and college admissions to those with interest in arts and humanities and not “gifted” in mathematics," Fay Wangari argued.
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms noted that the 8-4-4 system focused largely on academics and rote learning thereby denying learners opportunities to develop critical skills and values necessary for character formation.
They said the previous grading subjects disadvantage some learners whose best-performing subject is not considered if not within the cluster.
