The release of the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) results has sparked confusion among parents navigating the new Competency Based Curriculum grading system for the first time.
Many are misinterpreting their children’s results, mistaking the letter “E” in grades like EE1 or EE2 for a failure. This misunderstanding stems from familiarity with the old 8-4-4 system, where “E” indicated poor performance.
The new grading system uses performance levels that focus on competency rather than traditional letter grades.
There are four main performance levels: Exceeding Expectation (EE), which is the highest level of achievement; Meeting Expectation (ME), indicating good performance at grade level; Approaching Expectation (AE), showing satisfactory progress; and Below Expectation (BE), which means the learner needs improvement.
Each level is divided into two bands, creating an 8-point scale from 1 to 8, where 8 is the best score. Here’s exactly how it breaks down: EE1 (90-100%) earns 8 points and represents exceptional performance. EE2 (75-89%) earns 7 points, showing very good achievement.
ME1 (58-74%) earns 6 points for good performance, while ME2 (41-57%) earns 5 points for fair achievement.
AE1 (31-40%) earns 4 points, indicating the learner needs improvement, and AE2 (21-30%) earns 3 points for below average performance.
BE1 (11-20%) earns 2 points for well below average achievement, while BE2 (1-10%) earns just 1 point, showing minimal competency.
Since learners are assessed across 9 learning areas, the highest possible total score is 72 points (8 points × 9 subjects). This total score helps determine which pathway; STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts and Sports, best suits each learner’s strengths and interests.
Parents accustomed to the A-E grading system see “EE” and focus on the letter “E,” automatically associating it with failure.
In reality, EE1 is the equivalent of an A in the old system, the best possible grade a learner can achieve. When your child receives EE1 or EE2, you should celebrate because they’re performing exceptionally well and surpassing grade-level expectations.
ME1 or ME2 means your child is doing well and meeting all required competencies for their grade level. AE1 or AE2 shows your child is making progress and has sufficient competencies to advance to Senior School.
Only BE1 or BE2 indicates your child may need additional support in specific areas.
According to Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, 75% of learners achieved Approaching Expectations or higher across all subjects. This means three-quarters of students have demonstrated adequate competency to progress successfully.
The highest-performing subjects included Hindu Religious Education at 84.62% meeting or exceeding expectations, Integrated Science at 61.77%, Social Studies at 58.56%, and Creative Arts and Sports at 58.04%.
The CBC moves away from ranking learners against each other. Instead, it measures whether students have acquired essential skills and competencies.
This system recognizes that learners develop at different paces, competency matters more than memorization, multiple pathways exist for success, and every child has unique strengths and interests.
Based on the 2025 KJSEA results, 59.09% of learners showed potential for the STEM pathway, 46.52% for Social Sciences, and 48.73% for Arts and Sports.
Learners can pursue pathways aligned with their strengths, regardless of their specific grade points, as long as they demonstrate adequate competency.
Instead of panicking over letters, parents should review the full performance breakdown for each subject, identify their child’s strengths and interests, understand which pathway suits them best, support their transition to Senior School, and celebrate their achievements.
If your child received EE1, you have every reason to be proud. They haven’t failed, they have excelled.
The CBC grading system is designed to help every learner find their path to success, whether in STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts and Sports. Understanding this system is the first step in supporting your child’s educational journey.
Parents can access their children’s detailed results online at https://kjsea.knec.ac.ke using the assessment number and registered name. For questions about placement, contact your child’s school or the Ministry of Education helpline. The placement process runs until December 20, 2025, with learners reporting to Senior School from January 12, 2026.
