Kenya is set to participate in a global education benchmarking test for the first time, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced.

In a statement released on Monday, August, 4, 2025, KNEC confirmed that Kenya will join over 90 countries in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international study led by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

“Kenya, through KNEC, will participate in PISA for the first time this year, joining 90 other countries across the world,” the body posted on their X account.

The assessment will begin in September 2025 and will involve 15- to 16-year-old students from selected schools across the country. Instead of testing memory, the focus will be on how well learners can apply their knowledge of science, mathematics, and reading to real-world situations.

“PISA measures how 15 to 16-year-olds around the world apply their knowledge in Science, Reading, and Mathematics to solve real-life problems – not just how well they memorise facts,” KNEC said.

PISA to support CBC

The announcement comes as Kenya continues to implement the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which also aims to build real-life skills among students. KNEC noted that participating in PISA will support this shift by providing data on how effectively the curriculum is working.

According to the council, the results from the assessment will help shape future decisions on education policies, teacher training, and how resources are shared among schools.

“PISA offers a unique opportunity to compare our learners’ outcomes with international benchmarks. The data will help guide policy decisions, curriculum reforms, teacher training, and resource allocation,” KNEC added.

Although only a sample of schools and students will take part, the impact of the findings will reach all schools across the country.

KNEC urged all education stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, parents, and communities, to familiarise themselves with the PISA process and support its implementation.

The council is expected to begin preparations soon, including selecting schools and training the staff who will be involved in administering the assessment.

Kenya’s entry into PISA marks a major step in aligning the education system with international standards and preparing students for the demands of the modern world.