Moving Beyond Grades: How Digital Portfolios Are Transforming Student Assessment in Kenya’s CBE Era

Moving Beyond Grades: How Digital Portfolios Are Changing Student Assessment

For decades, education systems, especially under Kenya’s 8-4-4 model, have relied heavily on grades and exam rankings to define student success. But with the ongoing rollout of the  Competency-Based Education (CBE) approach, a powerful shift is taking place: moving from grades to growth, from marks to mastery, and from test results to tangible learning evidence. This transformation is being accelerated by digital tools such as digital portfolios, which are redefining how learning is tracked, assessed, and celebrated.

Understanding the Shift in Assessment

Traditional grading systems were designed for simplicity, assigning letters or numbers to summarize student performance. However, they often fail to capture the complexity of real learning. In a CBC or CBE classroom, where the focus is on developing competencies like collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, grades alone no longer tell the full story.

Traditional Assessment Focused On:

• Summative exams that measured recall rather than application
• Standardized grading that left little room for individuality
• Rankings that compared learners instead of measuring growth
• Single-time evaluations rather than continuous feedback

CBE and CBC Prioritize:

• Ongoing competency assessment throughout the learning process
• Evidence-based evaluation instead of one-time testing
• Individualized learning progress over comparison
• Reflection and feedback as part of assessment

What Are Digital Portfolios?

A digital portfolio is a personalised online space where students collect, reflect on, and showcase their learning. Unlike report cards that summarize performance through grades, digital portfolios provide authentic evidence of learning through documents, images, videos, projects, and reflections.

• Artefacts: Students upload photos, assignments, and multimedia projects demonstrating their skills.
• Reflection: Learners describe what they learnt, how they improved, and what challenges they overcame.
• Feedback: Teachers provide ongoing comments aligned with competency descriptors like “Developing” or “Exceeding”.
• Showcase: Students present their best work as proof of progress and mastery.

How Digital Portfolios Are Transforming Assessment in Kenya

Kenya’s transition to CBE has brought new expectations for assessment. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) now emphasizes Competency-Based Assessments (CBA) that focus on observable skills and learner growth. This approach aligns perfectly with the rise of digital portfolios, which make it possible to track competencies continuously and transparently.

Key Benefits in the Kenyan Context

• Holistic assessment: Digital portfolios allow teachers to capture learning that extends beyond the classroom community projects, creativity, and collaboration.
• Parental visibility: Parents can view their child’s ongoing progress instead of waiting for end-of-term results.
• Teacher empowerment: Educators save time through automated record-keeping and can offer timely, personalized feedback.
• Student ownership: Learners become active participants in documenting their growth and reflecting on their learning journey.

Real Voices from the Classroom

"Since we started using digital portfolios, I can now see the growth in my students beyond test scores. It’s easier to explain progress to parents with actual evidence of learning." – Teacher, Kirinyaga County

"As a parent, I feel more connected to my child’s learning. I can see her artwork, projects, and reflections all in one place. It’s more meaningful than grades alone." – Parent, Nairobi

Where EduPoa™ Fits In

In Kenya, EduPoa™ has been at the forefront of supporting this transformation. The platform’s digital portfolio and competency tracking tools enable schools to record, assess, and report learner progress in line with CBE principles. Teachers can log continuous assessments, upload artefacts, and generate learner progress profiles that show mastery levels rather than raw marks.

For parents, EduPoa™ provides visibility through its Parent Portal, helping them understand what “Meeting Expectations” or “Developing” truly means in their child’s learning journey. This bridges the communication gap between teachers, students, and families, creating a shared understanding of growth and progress.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the promise of digital portfolios is exciting, Kenyan schools face several challenges:

• Infrastructure: Limited internet access and device availability in some areas slow adoption.
• Teacher training: Educators need support to effectively integrate portfolio-based assessment.
• Policy alignment: Continuous updates from KNEC and MoE are necessary to fully embed portfolio use in assessment frameworks.

Yet, these challenges also create opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and digital inclusivity. Platforms like EduPoa™ are already bridging the gap by offering offline-friendly tools and training for schools transitioning to digital assessment.

Best Practices for Schools Implementing Digital Portfolios

1. Start with Purpose

Define clear goals, whether it’s tracking competencies, improving feedback, or engaging parents.

2. Train and Support Teachers

Provide ongoing professional development to ensure teachers understand how to evaluate and comment on portfolio evidence effectively.

3. Empower Students

Encourage learners to take ownership; let them choose what to showcase and reflect on their own progress.

4. Engage Parents

Share updates and portfolio summaries regularly so parents become active partners in the learning process.

5. Leverage Digital Platforms

Use reliable, data-secure systems such as EduPoa™ to manage portfolios, streamline feedback, and generate progress reports aligned with CBE standards.

Looking Ahead: From Grades to Growth

Kenya’s education reform journey is redefining what success looks like. As digital portfolios gain traction, they’re not just replacing report cards; they’re redefining how learning is understood, assessed, and celebrated. For teachers, they provide a clearer picture of student growth. For parents, they offer transparency. And for learners, they make education more personal and meaningful.

The future of assessment isn’t about reducing students to numbers; it’s about showing evidence of learning, competence, and growth.

Your Next Step

Schools: Interested in adopting digital portfolios for competency-based assessment? Request an EduPoa™ demo.
Teachers & Parents: Ask your school about implementing EduPoa™ digital portfolios to track and celebrate student learning progress.