Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), has outlined plans to subject learners to special exams when schools reopen.
The examination body is developing assessment tools that will be sent to schools to help in ascertaining entry behaviour of learners, before in person learning kicks off.
According to the report by the standard, all assessments will be done in schools where teachers will mark and upload scores onto the KNEC portal.
All schools are set to benefit from Ksh 1.5 billion aid issued by Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through the World Bank.
Grades 1 to 3 will be tested in foundational literacy and numeracy, while Grade 4, 5 and 6 will be assessed in mathematics, languages and science. Learners in Standard Seven and Eight will be assessed in all the KCPE subjects.
Proposal to conduct similar learning assessments for secondary students to inform on any learning loss and institute necessary recovery measures are underway.
Dr. Mercy Karogo who is KNEC Acting Chief Executive Officer stated that the assessments will be used to evaluate learners and assist teachers in coming up with most appropriate ways of recovering lost time.
She said, “Teachers will be able to evaluate the various understanding levels of children in their class and prescribe the best ways of assisting them to recover lost time.”
The programme is part of the Sh1.5 billion Global Partnership for Education (GPE) boost towards the Government’s schools reopening preparations.
The development of assessment tools might be the light at the end of the tunnel. According to plan, schools will be supported to print and administer the assessment tools.
Developing these assessment tools is undoubtedly an indication that reopening of schools is looming. Yesterday education CS George Magoha directed teachers to prepare to report back to their institutions as the final report on school reopening plans is set to be tabled.
“Teachers can start to prepare to report back to their schools to make them habitable ahead of the students’ arrival. At that time, we will have phased re-opening with priority given to exam classes.