PS Ololtuaa assures smooth KJSEA, KPSEA Assessments, warns against malpractice

The government has indicated that the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) are key components of Competency-Based Education (CBE), as they are meant to evaluate learners’ skills, knowledge and competencies.

Speaking today at the Deputy County Commissioner’s Office in Lang’ata, Nairobi, during the opening and dispatching of KJSEA and KPSEA Assessments, Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa said the assessments were designed to measure learners’ capabilities and application of knowledge learnt, different from previous examination approaches.

He divulged that the Assessments form part of the broader competency-based learning approach and continue assessments, which seek to establish learners’ progress, by evaluating the skills and knowledge they have acquired in the course of their studies.

“As you may well be aware, Competency-Based Education involves mainly assessment. So, this is not like those other exams that are normally done, because already there was an assessment that was done earlier,” he said.

He explained that the current assessments contribute to the overall evaluation of learners alongside assessments conducted earlier in the learning process.

The PS urged learners to remain calm and demonstrate the skills and knowledge they had acquired, emphasising that the exercise should not cause unnecessary panic.

“This is really supposed to make the children relax, make them really use their skills and knowledge,” he said.

PS Ololtuaa exuded confidence that the preparations were smooth, as the government had put in place adequate logistical and security measures to ensure the assessments proceeded without major disruptions.

As Assessments enter day two, the Education Boss said, the first day was smooth, with no serious challenges reported, promising a smooth process all through-out as exercise progresses.

“So far, day two is going on very well, and we have not come across any serious challenges, just the normal challenges that are usually addressed whenever they come,” PS Ololtuaa said.

He commended stakeholders comprising security officers, teachers, centre managers and other stakeholders for preparations and coordination efforts, telling them, “Thank you for heeding a call to serve the nation.”

PS Ololtuaa revealed that the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination are key players in monitoring the Assessments countrywide.

Education PS, however, warned anyone attempting to compromise the integrity of the Assessments that he or she will face the full force of the law.

“Any attempt to break the rules, will be dealt with firmly,” he said, adding that those involved in malpractice would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He revealed that KNEC had put security features in place to safeguard Assessment materials and prevent unauthorised access or cheating.

Olooltuaa urged all stakeholders involved in the exercise, to maintain professionalism and integrity throughout the exercise, to ensure the credibility of the outcomes.

On possible eventualities caused by El Niño-related disruptions, Ololtuaa said the government had developed contingency measures, to ensure Assessments continue even in areas vulnerable to adverse weather conditions

He said KNEC had mapped out areas prone to El Niño-related challenges and made arrangements for additional transport, helicopters and assessment-material storage containers where necessary.

“We have mapped-out areas that are prone to El Niño in case it comes, and we have also ensured that we have extra transport, we have extra choppers where they are required, and we also have extra containers where it is required,” he said.

The PS noted that the government remained prepared to respond should weather-related challenges arise during the assessment period.

Ololtuaa called on parents and guardians to support learners at home by providing adequate time for revision and instilling discipline and integrity.

He said the successful Administration of the Assessments required cooperation, not only from government agencies and schools but also from families.

The PS further noted that education and security officers had been deployed across the country to monitor the exercise and promptly address any emerging concerns.

The PS later visited Madaraka Comprehensive School, one of the Assessment centres, where he assessed the level of preparedness, witnessed the opening of Assessment materials and observed their distribution to learners.

Ololtuaa wished the learners well as they undertook their Assessments, urging them to remain calm, demonstrate their abilities and uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout the exercise.

He also reminded them to adhere to all Assessment rules and regulations, noting that honesty and discipline, were essential to maintaining the credibility of the process.

Nairobi-West Regional County Commissioner (RCC), Rose Chege, said security agencies and education officials, were ready to oversee the Assessments in the Sub-region.

She said the operation was being coordinated through a Multi-agency approach, involving security personnel, education officials, TSC and the Ministry of Interior.

“We are all one to ensure that our children do the best to make sure that our children get a better future,” Chege said.

She clarified that security officers were primarily responsible for escorting and safeguarding Assessment materials, rather than being deployed inside schools to supervise learners.

“We want the students and the pupils to relax and do their Assessments, while they are relaxed,” she said.

Chege added that officials would continue monitoring the Assessments at schools, until the exercise was completed.

Approximately 49 centres in the Lang’ata received assessment materials during the excercise.

By Ian Chepkuto and Samuel Njoroge