The Kenya National Examinations Council has extended the deadline for KNEC senior school registration as Competency Based Assessment (CBA) centres to 15 June 2026. Senior school principals must complete centre registration now so Grade 10 learner registration and the first School-Based Assessments (SBAs) proceed on schedule.
Key Takeaways
- The centre registration portal is open until 15 June 2026.
- Schools must use their current school code to log in and update contact details for OTP authentication.
- Grade 10 learners will use their Grade 3 assessment numbers as unique identifiers for registration.
- Grade 10 SBAs count for 15% of the final subject grade; Grade 11 SBAs are another 15% and Grade 12 summative assessments make up 70%.
KNEC senior school registration: What principals must do
Heads of Institutions must register their schools at the KNEC senior school portal before the deadline. Complete registration now to generate a Universal Centre Code and a printed School Registration Slip for your records. This step is mandatory for any school that will host Senior School learners under the Competency Based Education model.
Why the extension matters
The extension gives schools extra time to meet documentation and technical requirements. It also ensures learners are included in the national assessment system before Grade 10 SBAs begin. Proper centre registration reduces delays during learner registration and prevents reporting problems later in the year.
Key pillars of the Senior School assessment framework
- CBA Framework (CBAF-SS): Principals and teachers should read the Competency Based Assessment Framework for Senior School available on the KNEC website.
- Teacher capacity building: KNEC has a self-paced online training portal for teachers to learn how to conduct CBA-aligned assessments.
- Documentation and record keeping: Schools must upload registration certificates and keep physical evidence of learner work for verification.
- Use of Assessment Numbers: The Grade 3 Assessment Number is the permanent learner identifier through Grade 12.
Step-by-step centre registration guide
- Access the portal: Go to the senior school registration portal and log in with your current school code as both username and password.
- Update contact details: On first login, update the mobile number for the Head of Institution. An OTP will be sent for authentication.
- Upload documents: Attach the official school registration certificate as required.
- Generate credentials: Submit the form to receive a Universal Centre Code and a School Registration Slip. Download and print the slip for institutional records.
- Special cases: If your school lacks a KNEC assessment code, contact your Sub-County Director of Education or email KNEC for guidance.
How Grade 10 learner registration will work
After centre registration closes, KNEC will enable learner registration. Each learner will be registered using the Assessment Number assigned at Grade 3. Schools must ensure learners have their KJSEA performance reports signed and stamped by the junior school head before registration.
Principals should sensitize parents and learners about the importance of the permanent Assessment Number and keep copies of all performance reports for verification.
Assessment breakdown and timelines
- Grade 10 SBAs: 15% of the final subject grade. These include projects, practicals and written tests.
- Grade 11 SBAs: Another 15% of the final subject grade.
- Grade 12 summative assessment: 70% of the final subject grade.
Grade 10 projects and practicals are scheduled between May and September 2026. Term III written tests must be finalised and uploaded by 15 October 2026. All SBA scores must be uploaded promptly to the CBA portal, and physical evidence of learner work must be retained for verification.
Teacher preparation and resources
Teachers should complete the online training modules to align assessment practice with CBA principles. Schools can also consult senior school curriculum designs and Grade 10 curriculum resources to plan SBA tasks and practicals effectively. For curriculum documents, see the Grade 10 curriculum designs and the senior school curriculum designs.
To practise assessment tasks and prepare learners, consider using sample CBC exams and teaching notes available for classroom use, such as the collection of free CBC exams.
Practical tips for a smooth registration
- Reserve time for portal work and document scanning to avoid last-minute issues.
- Verify the school registration certificate details before upload.
- Train one or two staff members as backup administrators for the registration portal.
- Keep printed copies of the Universal Centre Code and School Registration Slip in the school file.
With the new timeline, principals should act quickly to register centres and prepare learners for Grade 10 SBAs. Completing registration now helps ensure assessments run smoothly and learner records remain accurate throughout the senior school cycle.
