The New KCSE Grading Structure

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has unveiled a new grading structure that will be implemented in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). The new way of determining a candidate’s overall grade will come into effect this year, 2023. The announcement was made during a stakeholder consultation on the new grading system at the New Mitihani House. The CS emphasized that this change is anticipated to increase the number of applicants for diploma, certificate, and TVET programs at the artisan and certificate levels.

Education CS Machogu

New Recommended KCSE Grading Formula

The new formula, two compulsory subjects and other FIVE best performed subjects will be used to determine the overall mean grade. The compulsory subjects are: Mathematics and one best performed language in either Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language or English. The criticism of the old formula was that it might be unfair to students whose best subject did not fit into the designated cluster. The new system gives students greater freedom to highlight their individual abilities and strengths.

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Old Formula

The old formula, five compulsory subjects across three cluster groups (English, Mathematics, Kiswahili, two sciences) and ONE humanity (agriculture, history, religious education, geography). This comes as the government wants to increase the number of students qualifying for university and diploma/TVET education – above 2022’s 19.3% of the total KCSE candidates.

At the same briefing, it was noted that the students now have a chance, through the recommendations by the CBC taskforce to allow students to choose schools that align with what they’re interested in and the future career goals, differing significantly from the current model where school assignment is based on individual performance. Additionally, the taskforce proposed the renaming of Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC)to Kenya National Assessment Council (KNAC). This is with the vision of enhancing the overall quality of education in Kenya.

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In summary, candidates must select any other five subjects they excel in, in addition to the two compulsory subjects, as they will be taken into consideration when determining their overall grade. The proposed new strategy acknowledges that students have a variety of interests and strengths outside of their traditional subject cluster groups.

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