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For the pioneer class of the competency-based education (CBE), success in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) did not come by chance.
As the first group navigating an entirely new system of education, they had no predecessors to emulate, no past papers to practice with but only their determination to guide them through an unfamiliar terrain.
Their success was forged through persistence, long hours of study, critical thinking and the steady support of parents, teachers and classmates.
While every learner faced their share of hurdles, those in public schools bore an even heavier burden. They pushed through crowded classrooms, limited materials, overstretched facilities and lack of teachers in junior school, yet still fought to rise above the odds.
The candidates have celebrated their results, grades they believe will propel them into their dream senior schools and later grant them the opportunity to achieve their goals.
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Hope Wanja did not allow her disability to determine her ability. The 15-year-old from Roots Academy in Nakuru County scored 55 points which means she is under the Meeting Expectations band.
According to her mother Ruth Wanjiku, Hope was born with a disability as one of her legs is shorter than the other.
She said she cannot walk properly, which makes her uncomfortable. At times, the leg is painful and she cannot stand for long.
Speaking to the Nation, Hope said she had targeted a higher score. However, based on the fact that some subjects were tough, she embraced the results and is ready to move to the next phase of her education.
“I used to feel uncomfortable when other students talked about my disability which made me decide to prove to them that my disability does not mean a disability,” said Hope.
She dedicated her performance to herself and all the learners who are differently-abled. Roots Academy head teacher Cleophas Mutai said Hope is a disciplined and hardworking student who they knew would excel in the assessment.
Brandon Omwoyo of Petercrest Comprehensive School in Eldoret City scored 67 points. He is passionate about music and participated in the schools’ music festivals but still managed to balance between art and academics.
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“Music has helped me to appreciate our diversity, especially various cultures across the globe, and I must say it has ultimately helped me in excelling in the assessment,” said Master Omwoyo who hopes to join Alliance High School and later pursue a career as a psychiatrist.
At St Monica Lodwar Girls Comprehensive School, Mitchell Yakish and Angela Tukei are among the top performers after posting Exceeding Expectation (EE) scores.
Yakish had EE scores in seven subjects and two with Meeting Expectation (ME) while Angela had five subjects with EE and four with ME scores.
“Early marriages and poverty have been major barriers to education of girls but determination and confidence knows no barriers,” said Yakish who wants to be a nutritionist.
"The government must intensify crack-down against early marriages by first creating awareness among parents on the importance of education for girls,” said Tukei who wants to be a pediatrician.
Setting targets
In Baringo County, Wayne Kiplimo of Mogotio Little Friends Academy posted EE of 71 points to emerge among top performers in the area.
“I worked hard to achieve it. I was aiming to get more than 68 points and to my surprise, I surpassed my target,” said Kiplimo.
“I used to set my own targets and ensure that I achieved them, a situation that also played a major role in scoring good results,” said Kiplimo.
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Jaydean Comba, 15, from Fairfield Academy, said he was thrilled with his results and was eager to join Kagumo Boys High School and later pursue his goal of becoming a software engineer.
“I am truly proud of my performance, and deeply grateful to my teachers for their guidance. My parents have been my greatest pillars of support, constantly reminding me to stay focused, to work hard, and to believe in the power of my own potential,” said Comba.
His choice of senior school, he notes, is strategic given that the institution is well-known for its discipline, academic excellence, and strong foundation in science and technology.
At Nyali Junior School, the euphoria was palpable as some of the county’s best performers celebrated the results of their hard work, confident they had secured slots at their selected senior schools.
Cynthia Muthoni Kimani, who scored 70 points, credited her teachers for putting in significant effort to ensure her success.
“I am overjoyed by these results as the hard work has paid off,” said Ms Kimani. “Hopefully, I can now join Kenya High School and pursue medicine in university because I want to help people.”
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Ms Kimani, who also selected Alliance Girls High School, scored Exceeding Expectation (EE1) in six subjects and (EE2) in two, noting that Kiswahili had presented her with a challenge.
Another candidate from Nyali Junior served as the school president, Jayden Nderitu scored 69 points and also celebrated his success. He expressed interest in joining Mang’u High School and Nairobi School, stating they had the resources and facilities that would help him succeed in his senior school studies.
“The assessments were fair, and those who used to top while in school have emerged top,” said Nderitu. “I want to become a lawyer in the future, and I would also love to have my own hospital so that I can help people.”
Tamara Wambui from Tana River County scored 70 points, surpassing her own expectations.
“The assessment was not easy. I had anticipated 65 points, so this is a blessing,” she said.
Tamara, who scored 70 points in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathway, hopes to join Mary Hill Girls’ High School and eventually pursue a career in medicine in university. Gichahi Riona, also from Tana River County, scored 69 points.
She credited her success to the dedication of her teachers. Riona also dreams of joining Mary Hill Girls, with aspirations of becoming a dermatologist.
Other notable performers from Holy Angels School include Mary Hermalid, who scored 68 points, and Babwoya Rayana, who earned 67 points, marking a proud moment for both the school and the community.
In Kilifi County, some schools complained of delays in accessing their results, saying that the system had a downtime, hindering them from knowing the performers who had done quite well.
Marvin Ousia, Tessie Hawi, and Brians Adams, all from Makini School, Kisumu, led the pack with 71 points each while Bruce Washington and Arnold Guyo posted 70 apiece.
Joshua Ngira, the head teacher, expressed satisfaction with his students' performance. All the 65 registered learners scored above meeting expectations with 17 scoring Exceeding Expectation.
“The Competency Based Education model is fairer because it reduces pressure on learners and gives them a better chance to show their strengths. It also encourages schools to focus on competencies acquisition,” he said.
Discipline, persistence
Effie Rhodil Achieng from Hekima School in Kisumu County who scored 69 points attributed her exemplary performance to her faith in God, teachers and parents.
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“It has been tough because we didn’t have anyone to look up to, which is hard but with courage and motivation from everyone around us, we managed,” said Rhodil.
Her classmate Nevine Imani, however, admitted that the assessment was quite challenging.
“I was anxious about the examinations and the results but through discipline, persistence, hard work and perseverance, I excelled,” said Imani who scored 69 points.
John Gospel from Arya Primary School in Kisumu, scored 70 points, while Terrence Allen of Xaverian Primary achieved 65 points.
Speaking after receiving his results, 15-year-old Gospel credited his success to support from his family and teachers.
"If it was not for my parents and teachers, I couldn't have managed to get these positive results," he said.
Terrence Allen, who expressed satisfaction with his 65-point score, acknowledged the collective effort that contributed to his achievement.
"I am very happy. I got a lot of support from my parents, teachers, and friends. Reaching this far wasn't a walk in the park," he said.
Telsa William from Rongo Success Academy in Migori County scored 71 points while his classmate, Carina Rozenberg Ojwang, scored 67 points.
William, who has a keen interest in science, expressed his desire to join Alliance High School to further his education.
Victor Makes Bala and Gabriel Otieno of Siaya Central Comprehensive school both scored 70 points.
15-year-old student Jasmine Wangeci from Kerugoya Municipality Junior Secondary School in Kirinyaga county who scored 71 points aspires to join Alliance Girls High School.
Wangechi said she wants to become a pilot in the future after being inspired Captain Saviemaria Ondego, the Kenya Airways female pilot who flew the plane carrying the body of former prime minister, Raila Odinga.
"Captain Ondego inspired me to dream big. Women can also excel in all fields and I know my dream to be the best pilot in the world is valid,” she said.
After receiving her results, Mary Gathii (71 points) of Ndima Kanini Academy, said she was excited to be a step closer to joining Kenya High School and pursuing her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.
Some of the parents who spoke to the Nation welcomed KJSEA, although some still struggle with its interpretation.
"We can't even celebrate our children's achievements because we don't explicitly understand their scores. The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education gave us a good avenue to monitor our children's performance. Consequently, how do you administer an examination if you won't give out certificates? What's the impact of the examination? As parents, we are disappointed with the current curriculum," said John Okumu, a parent at Arya Primary School in Kisumu City.
Joan Akinyi, another parent, argued that Competency-Based Education (CBE) should have gone through a pilot phase before being rolled out nationally.
"I think the Ministry of Education is wasting our children's potential. Why are they releasing results if, as a parent, I can't understand the actual performance of my child with these grades? I have no choice but to criticise this system," she said.
Find more of our KJSEA coverage below:
Reports by JOSEPH OPENDA, Brian Ocharo, Stephen Oduor, Winnie Atieno, DOMNIC OMBOK, ANGELINE OCHIENG, RUSHDIE OUDIA, WYCLIFFE NYABERI, GLORIA VALERIE, Titus Ominde, Sammy Lutta, Barnabas Bii, Oscar Kakai, Evans Jaola, Flora Koech, GEORGE MUNENE and MERCY MWENDE.
