By Amoto Ndiewo
Grade 6 learners sitting for Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) are not having insha and composition papers unlike their Standard 8 counterparts.
Against that background, Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) CEO David Njeng’ere came out to clarify that the pioneer Grade Six learners did not have creative writing assessments because School Based Assessment tests for Grade 3, 4 and 5 already catered for their creative needs.
“In KCPE learners are examined once after 8 years, but in CBC right from Grade Four learners are tested in both insha and composition amongst other papers,” said Njeng]ere adding, “CBC’s progressive assessments helps in improving such creative competences.”
The answer was in response to parents who came out guns blazing, saying the two subjects would have tested learners’ creative ability of expressing themselves in writing.
“In this respect KPSEA actually provides the learners with more opportunities to write and boost creativity for both national lingos,” the CEO said.
On Wednesday, November 30 Grade Six learners will finish their maiden assessment with creative arts and social studies.
In KPSEA, summative assessments contribute to 60% whereas the two school based assessments contribute to 20 per cent each. Unlike KCPE exams where candidates are rated 100%, KPSEA accounts for 40 per cent of the final score.
