KPSEA, KJSEA 2026: Ruto Encourages Learners as National Assessments Begin

Kisumu, Kenya – The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) commenced smoothly in Kisumu County on October 26, according to education officials. The assessments, overseen by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Chief Executive Officer Prof Charles Ongondo, received praise for adequate preparation and coordination among education officials and security teams.

Ongondo, also a board member of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), cautioned against placing undue pressure on learners, emphasizing that these assessments are not examinations but tools for measuring learning progress. He clarified that school-based assessments constitute 60% of learners' results in both KPSEA and KJSEA, ensuring the national assessments accurately reflect learners' abilities without creating unnecessary anxiety.

Kisumu County Director of Education Magara Onduso reported that the county was well-prepared, with centre managers arriving early and examination materials distributed on schedule. The county's 773 KPSEA assessment centres will serve 33,650 learners, while the KJSEA assessment, conducted in 720 centres, will involve 33,444 candidates.

Transport arrangements, center managers, and security personnel were in place to ensure the assessments proceeded without disruptions. Security officers have been assigned to escort examination materials to designated centers, preventing any interference with the materials and ensuring their safe arrival at the final centers. Officials emphasized that the security deployment was aimed at protecting examination papers rather than providing security within schools.

Education officials urged stakeholders to maintain coordination throughout the assessment period while keeping learners calm and focused, stressing that the assessments are designed to establish learners' progress and inform educational support decisions.