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Schools in Kilifi County have been warned against administering commercial examinations, reiterating that the practice remains prohibited in all pre-primary, primary and junior schools.
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According to the circular, schools are not allowed to purchase or administer external commercial examinations as they impose illegal levies on learners and negatively affect the day-to-day teaching and learning process.
The Ministry of Education has issued a fresh warning to schools in Kilifi County against the administration of commercial examinations, reiterating that the practice remains prohibited in all pre-primary, primary and junior schools.
In a circular, Kilifi County Director of Education Nicholas Oyucho reminded all Sub-County Directors of Education that a previous ministry directive banning commercial examinations is still in force and must be strictly observed by all learning institutions.
According to the circular, schools are not allowed to purchase or administer external commercial examinations as they impose illegal levies on learners and negatively affect the day-to-day teaching and learning process.
“This is to remind all Heads of Institutions (HoIs) that the ban on commercial examinations still stands,” the circular states, adding that all levels of pre-primary, primary and junior schools are expected to comply with the directive.
The ministry has instead directed schools to embrace Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA), which forms a key component of the Competency-Based Education(CBE).
“The assessment system is designed to provide continuous, diagnostic and formative evaluation of learners through daily classroom instruction conducted by teachers.”
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Education officials say the approach helps teachers monitor learner progress more effectively while reducing the financial burden on parents and guardians associated with commercial examinations.
The circular further instructs HoIs to ensure the directive is communicated and implemented within their schools.
School administrators have also been urged to support teachers in carrying out classroom-based assessments in line with ministry of education guidelines.
The directive was copied to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Basic Education and the Coast Regional Director of Education, signaling the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban across all affected institutions.
The move comes as the ministry continues to strengthen the implementation of CBE and promote assessment methods that focus on learners’ competencies, skills acquisition and continuous improvement rather than reliance on externally prepared examinations.
By Salim Mwachofi
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