The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that the country will, for the first time, participate in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2025. This global education benchmarking initiative, coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), evaluates how effectively students apply knowledge to real-life situations.
In a statement issued on Monday, KNEC confirmed that Kenya will join over 90 countries in the assessment, scheduled to begin in September 2025. The assessment will target 15- to 16-year-old students across a sample of selected schools nationwide, focusing on their ability to apply concepts in mathematics, science, and reading.
“PISA measures how students apply what they have learned to solve real-life problems. It goes beyond testing academic recall and focuses on problem-solving and critical thinking,” KNEC stated.
The council highlighted that this international evaluation aligns well with Kenya’s ongoing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) reforms, which emphasise practical skills and knowledge application over rote memorisation.
KNEC noted that insights from the assessment will help evaluate the effectiveness of current education reforms and guide strategic decisions on curriculum development, teacher training, and resource allocation.
“PISA offers a unique opportunity to benchmark our learners against global standards. This will help inform curriculum development and policy direction to ensure that Kenya’s education system remains globally competitive,” the council added.
KNEC has urged all education stakeholders, including school heads, teachers, parents, and community leaders, to support the initiative. Preparations are set to begin in the coming weeks, including the selection of participating schools and training of assessment personnel.
Kenya’s participation in PISA is seen as a major step toward aligning the country’s education system with international benchmarks and ensuring learners are equipped with critical 21st-century skills.
Written By Rodney Mbua
