The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has extended the 2026 School Based Assessment upload window to Thursday, 29th October. This extension gives schools extra time to complete the SBA uploads after widespread outages on the CBA portal prevented timely submission.
Key Takeaways
- KNEC SBA portal deadline moved from 23 Oct to 29 Oct 2026 to allow schools more time to upload scores.
- Portal instability—server timeouts, OTP failures and lost entries—was the main reason schools requested the extension.
- Schools should use off-peak hours, upload in small batches, and retain physical evidence of assessments for audits.
- Grades affected include Early Years/Foundation through Junior School; some grades (6 and 9) are exempted for certain national assessments.
KNEC SBA portal deadline: what happened
KNEC originally set the SBA upload cutoff for 23rd October 2026, a date that coincided with official school closing. Persistent technical problems on the Competency Based Assessment (CBA) portal made uploads unreliable. Teachers reported repeated server errors, long loading times, and lost work during data entry. In response KNEC extended the SBA portal deadline to Thursday, 29th October to reduce pressure and allow schools to complete uploads.
Why the extension was necessary
Reports from school ICT coordinators and heads identify three major problems:
- Server overloads: simultaneous logins caused “504” and similar errors.
- Lost progress: scores entered during sessions were sometimes erased when the system crashed.
- Authentication failures: One-Time Password (OTP) messages were delayed or not delivered due to gateway congestion.
While KNEC noted a surge in last-minute uploads, school staff argue that some assessments are only completed in the final weeks of term and cannot be submitted earlier.
Grades and subjects covered in the 2026 SBA cycle
The upload cycle follows KNEC circular KNEC/GEN/TD/SE/SBA/GUI/2026/03. Key points:
- Early Years & Foundation: Grade 3 and stage-based foundation – KEYA activities (Mathematics & English) and KFLEA activities for learners with special needs.
- Middle School: Grades 4 and 5 (Grade 6 exempted for KPSEA) – Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Social Studies, Religious Education, Creative Arts.
- Junior School: Grades 7 and 8 (Grade 9 exempted for KJSEA) – core and practical subjects including Integrated Science, Agriculture, Creative Arts & Sports, and Pre-Technical Studies.
Practical guidance for schools to complete SBA uploads
School ICT officers and teachers should follow simple steps to reduce the risk of failed uploads:
- Use off-peak hours: log in before 7:00 AM or late evening when national traffic is lower.
- Enable “Remember Me”: this reduces repeated OTP requests and session timeouts.
- Upload in small batches: submit subject by subject or stream by stream rather than entire grades at once.
- Keep physical records: retain marked scripts, scoring grids and other evidence for at least six months after upload for audit purposes.
- Protect assessment materials: do not share test content on social media or public platforms to avoid breaches and sanctions.
What schools should keep and document
KNEC requires that all physical evidence of continuous assessment be preserved. That includes:
- Marked answer scripts and project work
- Score sheets and moderation notes
- Attendance records for assessment dates
Keep these items organised and labelled. They may be requested during verification or quality assurance checks.
Technical tips for smoother uploads
If your team still struggles with the CBA portal, try these additional steps:
- Work from a reliable, wired internet connection where possible.
- Use modern browsers and clear cache between long sessions.
- Have a designated backup person with access rights to resume uploads if the main uploader loses session.
Looking ahead: strengthening the CBA portal and assessment planning
The extension highlights the need for improved server capacity and better authentication systems on the CBA platform. As the Competency Based Curriculum expands, reliable digital infrastructure will be essential to avoid annual bottlenecks when schools submit SBA scores. Meanwhile, schools can reduce risk by planning uploads earlier in the term where assessment timelines allow and by following the practical guidance above.
Resources and related materials
Teachers preparing SBA materials or wanting practice papers can use free resources for different levels. For CBC test practice and downloadable exams, see the collection of free CBC exams and revision papers. Primary teachers handling KPSEA may find the KCPE practice exams useful for familiarisation with assessment formats. Curriculum teams reviewing competency frameworks can consult the CBC curriculum designs to align school assessment tasks with KNEC expectations.
If your school still has pending uploads, prioritise early morning or late-evening sessions, upload in small batches, and keep all physical evidence safe until the verification period ends.
