Kiswahili tops KPSEA performance as learner numbers rise

By Newsflash Writer

Kiswahili has emerged as the best-performed subject in the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), with more learners exceeding expectations in the language than in any other learning area.

Data from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) shows that 407,921 learners — representing 32.2 per cent — surpassed expectations in Kiswahili, placing it ahead of all other subjects in overall performance.

The strong performance in Kiswahili stands in contrast to other subjects where a significant number of learners fell below expectations. Agriculture ranked second in high achievement, with 373,148 learners (29 per cent) exceeding expectations. Physical and Health Education followed at 325,510 learners (25.82 per cent), while Home Science recorded 329,479 learners (26 per cent) above the expected level.

At the other end of the scale, Mathematics emerged as the weakest subject, with 473,983 learners — or 37 per cent — performing below expectations. Social Studies followed with 454,952 learners (36 per cent) in the lower performance band. English Language also recorded notable struggles, with 448,973 learners (35.5 per cent) falling below the required level, while 443,313 learners did not meet expectations in Science and Technology.

Growing KPSEA participation

Even as subject performance trends draw attention, the number of candidates sitting KPSEA has steadily grown since the assessment was introduced under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system. The pioneer Grade 6 class in 2022 had 1.18 million learners. This rose to 1.24 million in 2023 and 1.31 million in 2024, before easing slightly to 1.26 million in 2025.

Gender data indicates boys continue to outnumber girls in KPSEA participation. In 2022, there were 613,334 boys compared to 575,516 girls. The gap persisted in subsequent years, with 638,186 boys and 607,396 girls in 2023, rising to 677,014 boys and 637,167 girls in 2024. In 2025, 646,610 boys sat the exam compared to 619,911 girls.

Regional and gender trends

County data shows Nairobi leading in the number of KPSEA centres with 1,965 schools, followed by Kitui (1,486), Machakos (1,209), Nakuru (1,186), Kakamega (1,149), Homa Bay (1,109), and Kiambu (1,103). Counties with the fewest centres include Lamu (124), Isiolo (150), Samburu (189), Tana River (207), Marsabit (220), Taita Taveta (257), Kirinyaga (309), and Laikipia (358).

Lamu also recorded the lowest number of candidates at 4,369 learners. Other counties with small candidate numbers include Isiolo (4,919), Samburu (6,047), Tana River (8,031), Marsabit (8,173), Taita Taveta (8,367), and Wajir (8,541).

Overall performance patterns suggest girls generally outperform boys across most subjects by avoiding the lowest performance band, even though top-tier achievement rates between genders are often similar. KPSEA is administered at Grade 6 to monitor learning progress before learners transition to junior secondary school, rather than to determine placement.

National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa urged parents to understand the CBE system and how KPSEA grading works. He called for greater public awareness and parental engagement to ensure families are well informed about the assessment and its role in tracking learner development.