Primary schools across the country on Friday conducted rehearsals in preparation for the 2024 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) set to start on Monday.

It will be the third assessment of its kind and will see some 1.3 million candidates write their test between Monday and Wednesday.

Various schools have already taken their candidates through the assessment’s do’s and don’ts ahead of Monday.

The students were also tasked with preparing the classes to be used for the assessment by removing wall stickers, and charts and scrubbing clean their desks of any writings.

Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association chairman Johnson Nzioka said all is set for the assessment noting that this year, the exercise was much more relaxed as the assessment has eliminated the tense and cutthroat competition previously associated with final tests.

“Our teachers are fully prepared and they know what to do, given that they will be the ones to administer the test. KNEC has also provided the necessary support to the institutions to help in the administration of the exams,” Nzioka said.

Charles Ochome, the Kenya Private Schools Association chairman, also reiterated their preparedness for the test on Monday indicating that the institutions had put in place measures to ensure smooth operations.

“One thing we are keen on is to ensure we reset the mindset of our children and teachers so that they are relaxed while taking this assessment,” Ochome said.

This is even as Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the government is working to prepare for the transition of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to universities by 2029.

“We urge universities to rise to the occasion and lead in research and innovation. In line with this, I want to urge universities to work round the clock to ensure they have reviewed their curriculum to align with CBC in readiness of the admission of the first cohorts in 2029,” Dr Ogamba said.

Ogamba lauded the institutions for their role in curriculum development in the implementation of the new competency-based curriculum.

Ogamba spoke at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa where he graced their graduation ceremony.

This year, primary school students in Kenya will not sit for the KCPE exams, marking a historic departure from a system that has long been synonymous with immense pressure and competition.

Although this will be the third time KPSEA, under the new CBC, will be administered by KNEC, it will be the first time the national assessment is conducted solely without tagging KCPE along.

A total of 1,303,913 Grade 6 candidates are expected to sit the national assessment.

The candidates will on Monday, October 28, take their Mathematics and English assessments.

They will finish the assessment on Wednesday, October 30 with Creative Arts and Social Studies.