Action Required: Senior School Principals Given Extension for CBA Centre Registration

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially extended the deadline for the registration of Senior Schools as Competency Based Assessment (CBA) centres.

Initially slated to close in late May, the exercise will now remain open until 15th June 2026.

This extension is a strategic move by the Council to ensure that all educational institutions hosting Senior School learners have ample time to complete the mandatory registration process.

This preparatory step is vital, as it precedes the commencement of registration for Grade 10 learners, who are set to undertake their first set of School Based Assessments (SBA) under the new curriculum structure.

In a direct message to Senior School Principals, who serve as Centre Managers, KNEC emphasized the necessity of this phase:

“Dear Centre Manager, reference is made to the earlier circular Ref: KNEC/GEN/CBA/SS/REG/2026/001 on roll out of Competency Based Assessments in Senior School. This is to inform you that the portal for registration of centres for Senior Schools is activated up to 15th June 2026 for centres that did not register. The registration of learners at Grade 10 will be undertaken once the portal is ready and the same shall be communicated by Knec.”

Strategic Roll-out of Competency Based Assessment (CBA)

The extension follows a comprehensive framework released earlier by KNEC CEO, Dr. David Njengere.

As the nation transitions fully into the Competency Based Education (CBE) system, KNEC has established rigorous measures to align assessments with the new curriculum’s philosophy.

Key Pillars of the Senior School Assessment Framework

To ensure a smooth implementation, KNEC has outlined several critical areas that all Heads of Institutions (HoIs) must navigate:

CBA Framework (CBAF-SS): The Council has developed the Competency Based Assessment Framework for Senior School (CBAF-SS). This foundational document is available on the official KNEC website (www.knec.ac.ke) and is required reading for all teachers and education stakeholders.

Teacher Capacity Building: Recognizing that successful implementation depends on teacher preparedness, KNEC has launched an online, self-paced training portal.

Teachers can access this portal at http://cbalms.knec.ac.ke to acquire the necessary skills for conducting assessments effectively.

Institutional Registration Procedures

For an institution to be recognized as a valid assessment centre, it must complete the online registration process at https://seniorschool.knec.ac.ke.

Step-by-Step Registration Guide

Access: Use the current school code as the username and password to log in.

Authentication: Upon the first login, Heads of Institutions will be prompted to update their mobile phone numbers. A One-Time-Password (OTP) will be sent to this number to grant secure access to the portal.

Documentation: Schools must upload their official school registration certificate.

Generation of Credentials: Once submitted, the system will generate a Universal Centre Code and a School Registration Slip. Principals are required to download and print this slip for their institutional records.

Special Cases: Institutions currently lacking a KNEC examination or assessment code should immediately reach out to their respective Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) or email seniorschool@knec.ac.ke for guidance. Schools with Special Needs Education (SNE) units should utilize the codes of their host schools.

The Path Toward Grade 10 Learner Registration

Once the centre registration window closes, the portal will be transitioned to accommodate learner registration.

KNEC has provided clear mandates for how this will proceed:

The Unique Identifier: Learners will be registered using the Assessment Numbers they were assigned at Grade 3. This number serves as the permanent tracker for a learner’s progress throughout their Basic Education journey.

Performance Reports: All learners must have their IOSEA Performance Reports to register. These reports must be downloaded, signed, and stamped by the Head of the Junior School where the learner completed their previous assessment level.

Sensitization: Principals are tasked with the responsibility of sensitizing both learners and parents regarding the critical importance of the Assessment Number, as it will remain the primary identifier through Grade 12.

Assessment and Reporting Structure

The implementation of the Competency Based Assessment in Senior School is designed to be a blend of formative and summative evaluations.

This ensures that a learner’s final qualification, the Kenya Certificate of Basic Education (KCBE), reflects consistent performance rather than a single high-stakes examination.

Assessment Breakdown

Administration of Grade 10 SBAs

The Grade 10 SBAs will comprise a combination of projects, practical tasks, and written tests.

• Projects and Practicals: These will be administered between May and September 2026.
• Written Tests: These are scheduled for Term III and must be finalized by 15th October 2026.

All scores must be uploaded promptly to the CBA portal, and schools are required to maintain physical evidence of the learners’ work for verification and reporting purposes.

As the deadline of 15th June 2026 approaches, KNEC urges all Senior School principals to prioritize the registration process to avoid any delays in the upcoming national assessment schedule.

The Council remains committed to providing ongoing support and guidance as schools navigate these new operational requirements.