Kenya Set to Participate in PISA 2025 for the First Time — Here’s What It Means for Learners, Teachers, and Parents
Kenya is gearing up for a historic education milestone as it prepares to take part in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for the very first time. Spearheaded by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, this global initiative is set to commence in September 2025 — and it promises to reshape how learning is assessed in the country.
But what exactly is PISA, and why should every Kenyan parent, teacher, and student care?
PISA is an international assessment developed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It is designed to evaluate how 15 to 16-year-old students across the globe apply their knowledge in Science, Reading, and Mathematics to tackle real-life challenges. The focus isn’t just on memorizing facts, but on using education to solve everyday problems — a concept that aligns perfectly with Kenya’s Competency Based Education (CBE) approach.
More than 90 countries and economies currently participate in PISA, and Kenya will now be joining this elite group of nations in the 2025 cycle. This marks a monumental step as the country seeks to benchmark its learners’ outcomes against international standards.
Why PISA Matters for Kenya
As Kenya implements the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), the data collected from PISA will be crucial in guiding education reforms. This includes:
- Improved Curriculum Design
- Targeted Teacher Training
- Evidence-Based Policy Decisions
- Efficient Resource Allocation
This isn’t just an academic exercise — the insights gained will influence long-term national education policies and directly impact classroom practices.
Who Is Involved?
A sample of schools and students across the country will be selected to take part in the assessment. However, the impact will ripple far beyond these select few. According to KNEC, the outcomes will inform decisions affecting all schools in Kenya.
Stakeholders include:
- Teachers and School Leaders
- Education Officers
- Parents and Guardians
- The Wider Community
The question now is: Are you ready to play your part?
Kenya Is Ready — Let’s Support Our Learners!
KNEC is calling on every Kenyan — from the learner to the parent — to rally behind this initiative. With the tagline “Kenya is ready. Our learners are capable. Let’s support them!” the message is clear: success in PISA 2025 will require collective effort.
To learn more, visit the official KNEC website at www.knec.ac.ke and follow updates on their social media platforms, including @KNECKenya on X (formerly Twitter) and Kenya National Examinations Council on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Bottom Line:
PISA 2025 is more than just an international test — it’s a chance for Kenya to show the world the power of its Competency Based Education system. And every stakeholder has a vital role to play in making it a success.
