Kenya to Join Global PISA Tests
Kenya’s inclusion is a milestone in its education sector and a sign of ongoing commitment to improving Competency-Based Education (CBE).
PISA is an OECD program and has more than 90 countries worldwide participating in it. Kenya's inclusion is a milestone in its education sector and a sign of ongoing commitment to improving Competency-Based Education (CBE). Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Kenya is joining the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for the first time ever, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has affirmed.
In September 2025, the evaluation will assess how students aged 15 to 16 use their Science, Reading, and Math knowledge. Contrary to conventional exams that are centered on memorization, PISA is concerned with the practical application of problem-solving in everyday life.
PISA is an OECD program and has more than 90 countries worldwide participating in it. Kenya’s inclusion is a milestone in its education sector and a sign of ongoing commitment to improving Competency-Based Education (CBE).
According to KNEC, participation in PISA will allow Kenya to compare students’ performance to international standards. “PISA provides a means to compare our learners’ capacity to that of the world. The findings will guide policy reforms, training for teachers, development of curriculum, and resource allocation,” according to a statement from KNEC.
The council also explained that only a limited number of schools and students will participate in the initial round. The findings, however, would be of immense value in informing broader reforms in the entire education system.
KNEC appealed to school leaders, teachers, parents, and communities to back the initiative as a whole. “Kenya is ready. Our learners are ready to show themselves. Let’s unite and support them,” the agency said.
Education authorities are optimistic that being part of PISA will allow Kenya to measure the performance of its Competency-Based Curriculum. Compared with others, Kenya will know where it is going wrong and borrow solutions that have worked elsewhere.
The move also aims at making Kenyan students internationally competitive on a level playing field. By basing decisions on evidence, policymakers hope to have a strong, responsive education system for today’s challenges.
This is a major milestone for the education system of the country, marking a new path to global partnership and continuous enhancement of teaching and learning culture.
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