Boardroom affair: No jubilation as parents struggle with meaning of KJSEA results

Several parents across the country were struggling to comprehend the results of the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) as thousands of learners received their results yesterday.

Unlike past results that were marked with celebrations for top achievers in homes and in schools, the event was low-key, with some parents admitting they are yet to fully understand the new education model and what the results mean for their children.

For some, a search for results of their kin only revealed the list of schools their children had selected for placement, but not the actual results.

On the flipside, most schools remained closed without any activities taking place, further compounding the woes for the parents. In Kisumu, however, Golden Elites school was among those that had received partial results, with some 30 students exceeding expectations. 

At Xaverian Primary School, headteacher George Polo said they were yet to get the results but was optimistic his learners would do well.

In Nyanza, a section of parents from the Nyanza region lamented over what they termed as confusion over the fate of their pupils who sat for this year's KJSEA assessments.

Speaking to The Standard, most parents faulted the government over what they claimed was inadequate sensitisation on the pathways.

According to Cephas Ogwang, a parent at Kisumu's MMsha Primary School, most parents are less enlightened on the pathway policy, which was introduced by the education ministry, making it difficult for them to provide adequate guidance to their children.

"Understanding the pathways is still a big challenge. We don't understand why they are integrating all sciences together. We know we have learners who can do better in some areas, like chemistry, while registering low performance in others like biology, but with the integrated approach, if you don't do well in one subject, it's concluded that you are poor in sciences and barred from choosing the related pathway," Ogwang said.

Ogweno also faulted the education ministry for its hard stance against pupils who may wish to repeat classes, arguing that it's jeopardizing most pupils' future.

"The government is pushing for something they call a hundred percent transition. They are not allowing learners to repeat classes, but you know we have people in this Country who made it academically by repeatedly trying again. This one-touch policy is not good at all. It is destroying some learners who could possibly do better if given a second chance." Ogwang stated.

"All along, pupils have been repeating so that they can build on where they failed, but now that is not possible," he added 

He urged the government to give parents more control over the academic path of their children. "We want the government to allow parents who want their children to repeat classes at their own cost to be allowed to do so."

His sentiments were echoed by Jacton Omollo Ogweno, the chairman of the Nyanza Parents Association, who said most parents were floating and did not understand the results. 

 "It is not very clear which school our kids are going to be placed in, we've not understood the criteria that will be used to choose the pathways for our children," Ogweno said.

"Parents are still in limbo, we are waiting for the government, through the Ministry of Education, to give clear guidelines that will enable us to assist our children in making an informed decision on their next move," he added.

In Homa Bay County, some parents complained that they could only see schools that their children chose for placement.

"I have tried to look for the results of my son, who sat KJSEA with the assistance of his teacher. The only visible information for my son is the senior secondary schools he chose for placement," said Lenser Akoth, a parent.

Philip Roy, another parent, also had a similar challenge.

In Western, hours after the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Ogamba, released the first-ever Kenya Junior Secondary Examination Assessment (KJSEA), parents and schools were still struggling to access the results of their children.

"I have tried to access the portal thrice, but I am unable, and the feedback I am getting is that the results are not found, and we are wondering whether there is a system breakdown, high traffic, or parents are the ones doing wrong. As for me, I am an educated parent, so I think the issue is with the portal's system," said Nehemiah Musera, a grade nine parent at Kakamega Hill School.

Musera added that most of his colleagues are not well-versed in the system.

"Most of the parents I have talked to about these results are saying that most of them do not understand what is supposed to be done, especially this time, when schools are closed. This is a new system, and I think parents are to be educated and get informed to avoid unnecessary anxiety," said Musera.

Jane Anyanga, a parent at Kakamega Primary School, lamented that her daughter was not placed in her school of choice.

"We selected the schools, but shockingly and worryingly, the schools I selected for my child are not the ones that are appearing on the portal, and we need to be explained,' said Anyanga.

At Kakamega Hill School, also lamented of technical hitches in getting the results, and by the time we were going for the press, only two pupils out of 235 had received their results.

"We have formed a team of teachers who we have tasked with downloading results for our learners, but in under one hour, we have only managed to get results for the two pupils," said Josephine Wangatia, Class Teacher of grade nine class at Kakamega Hill School.

She added, "There is a technical hitch, and we are wondering whether it is because of the huge number of parents who want to access the portal, and parents are making many calls to the school to find out whether we have accessed the results."

Meanwhile, in Muranga, Emmanuel Academy, Kangari produced the best candidates in the KJSEA examination, who were celebrated for achieving the best results. In the results, the school based in Kigumo sub-county registered 252 candidates.

Among the top candidates were Miriam Moraa Mosoti, Winfrey Wanjiku, Nathaniel Irungu Kariuki, Wesley Mwangi Mutahi, Clarie Wangeci Ireri, Debra Wangui Murimi, Stancy Wanjiru Macharia, and Ian Wandere Kiboi.

Head teacher James Kalerwa said the results were impressive as the candidates were well prepared.

“We are thankful to the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a for the support to our education institution,” said Mr Kalerwa.

At Kibutha Primary Boarding School in Kangema, the best candidates are Mbugua Natasha Wanja, Terry Wairimu Kamau, and Valentina Njoki Wangonya.

And confusion reigned at the Coast as parents and teachers struggled to retrieve their children's results from an overburdened system as well as decipher the new format of the inaugural KJSEA results.

This was a far cry from the pomp accompanied by defunct KCPE results, which were marked with ceremony and celebration, with candidates storming exam centres to rejoice with colleagues.

The KJSEA results were met with hardly any acknowledgement, with schools' grading seemingly wiping out the pageantry, leaving only consternation and confusion in its wake.

However, traditionally performing centres did their best to make the best of the situation, with Light Academy Principal My Yerkin Kalzhanov saying that they were anticipating a good performance, and their class of 2025 lived up to the expectation.

"The school had a total of 46 candidates with 8 exceeding expectations by registering a score between 90 and 100 per cent," said Mr Yerkin.

He added that the school met all logistical, academic, and administrative requirements for a smooth and credible examination period.

“We were fully prepared for the exam. Every department within our institution worked diligently to ensure that our candidates sat their exams in a safe, calm, and well-organised environment,” he said.

Another giant in the region, Sheikh Zayed Children's Centre, which was the biggest centre in the region with 139 KJSEA candidates sitting this year's inaugural exams, also registered good results.

"We faced some difficulty in accessing the results. We are however hopeful that our students performed well" said Ndindia.

He added, "“Our teaching and mentorship programs have been designed to equip our candidates with a 360-degree coverage of the curriculum and examination content. We have left no aspect unattended from subject mastery and time management to emotional well-being and moral guidance."

Light Academy Principal Mr Yerkin also extended heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders who have contributed to the centre’s success. “Our gratitude goes to our hardworking teachers, supportive parents, and committed non-teaching staff. Their collective effort has been instrumental in maintaining our long-standing tradition of excellence. We also thank the Ministry of Education and examination authorities for their continued partnership and guidance,” he noted.

Report by Clinton Ambujo, Benard Lusigi, Boniface Gikandi, Anne Atieno, Ishaq Jumbe and James Omoro