The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released new guidelines for students and schools as Kenya prepares to participate in a global education benchmarking initiative known as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
In the guidelines issued on Friday, August 8, the council stated that the assessment, scheduled to begin in September 2025, will include 15-year-old students enrolled in Grade 7 or higher. "This age group is chosen because most students at this age are nearing the end of compulsory education, making it a key point to assess learning outcomes across different education systems," KNEC said.
During the PISA assessment, students will be evaluated on how well they can apply their knowledge in science, mathematics, and reading to real-world situations, rather than on their ability to use rote memorization.
An image of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) headquarters.
