Kenya on Monday witnessed a historic moment as more than a million learners across the country settled in to sit the final Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam under the long-running 8-4-4 system. From Nyeri to Nairobi, Kisumu to Garissa, invigilators reported smooth starts as pupils opened their papers—marking the close of a 38-year education structure that has shaped generations of Kenyan learners. At Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School, one of the many examination centres, officials described the moment as deeply symbolic for teachers, parents, and the education sector at large.
The end of KCPE follows the nationwide rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which will now take over the assessment of learners transitioning from primary to junior school. The 8-4-4 system, introduced in 1985, has been gradually phased out amid debates about its workload, competitiveness, and limited focus on practical skills. Education officials say the final cohort represents the last bridge between two education eras—one known for high-stakes exams and another that aims to prioritize learner abilities and continuous assessment.
Reactions to the milestone have been mixed but largely emotional. While many parents celebrated the conclusion of a system they have long associated with pressure and long evenings of revision, others expressed uncertainty about how CBC will shape their younger children’s future. Teachers’ unions and education stakeholders also weighed in, calling the end of KCPE the closing of a chapter that defined Kenya’s academic culture for decades. Some teachers reflected on the thousands of pupils they have guided through the exam over the years, noting its role in shaping discipline, competition, and merit-based progression.
As marking begins and the country prepares for placements into Form One, attention now shifts fully to ensuring that CBC’s implementation is smooth, well-funded, and better aligned with Kenya’s evolving job market. The Ministry of Education has promised continued stakeholder engagement, improved teacher training, and additional resources for junior secondary schools. For now, the final KCPE candidates hold the spotlight—carrying with them both the nostalgia of the past and the promise of a new educational future for Kenya.