KNEC TO PICK SCHOOLS AS KENYA JOINS PISA 2025

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that Kenya will participate in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for the first time in September 2025. In a notice issued on August 4, KNEC stated that Kenya will join over 90 countries and economies already involved in PISA, a global assessment coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). PISA evaluates how 15- to 16-year-old students apply their knowledge in Science, Reading, and Mathematics to real-life situations—focusing on practical problem-solving rather than rote memorization.

KNEC emphasized the significance of PISA in supporting the ongoing implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) in Kenya. The assessment will enable the country to benchmark its education system against international standards, thereby informing government decisions on curriculum reforms and teacher training under the CBE framework. While only selected schools and students will take part in the assessment, KNEC noted that the outcomes will shape policy decisions affecting all schools across the country.

PISA, which began in 2000, is held every three years. In 2025, Science will be the primary focus, alongside an evaluation of student proficiency in an innovative domain, including Learning in the Digital World (LDW). Kenya will adopt a Computer-Based Assessment (CBA) model for PISA 2025, as previously outlined by KNEC. The implementation of PISA in Kenya is being carried out by KNEC on behalf of the Ministry of Education, in alignment with the National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP) 2018–2022. The initiative falls under the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning (KPEEL) Program, supported by the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and the LEGO Foundation.