The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that security will not be deployed at most KPSEA and KJSEA centres, choosing a calm and child-friendly assessment season. This decision shapes how primary and junior national assessments will be run, and places responsibility on teachers, centre managers and supervisors to keep examinations secure and smoothly administered.
Key Takeaways
- KNEC will not deploy armed officers at most KPSEA and KJSEA centres; officers will be used only in areas with security challenges.
- The Council will administer assessments to 3,634,846 candidates between 16 October and 20 November 2026, with 342,005 contracted professionals engaged.
- Teachers must download deployment letters, attend KNEC briefings and follow new guidelines (including a change to OMR shading).
- TSC and KNEC circulars set clear role and qualification requirements for centre managers, supervisors and invigilators.
KPSEA and KJSEA security: what teachers need to know
KNEC’s policy aims to make KPSEA (Grade 6) and KJSEA (Grade 9) assessments feel like normal school activities rather than high‑stakes events. Security personnel will only be involved where absolutely necessary, such as in areas with known risks. In most centres, the handling of materials and the integrity of the assessment will rely on trained teachers and appointed field officers.
Why the approach differs from KCSE
KCSE remains a high‑security exercise. Each KCSE centre will have at least two security officers because the exam has high‑stakes consequences for higher education placement. By contrast, KPSEA and KJSEA assess younger learners within the Competency Based Curriculum, so KNEC is calibrating its security posture accordingly.
Scale, logistics and weather risks
The numbers are large. KNEC will manage over 3.6 million candidates across thousands of centres. To support this, 342,005 contracted professionals will serve as centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and other field staff. The Education Cabinet Secretary highlighted the threat of El Niño rains and confirmed a Whole‑of‑Government plan to keep materials and personnel moving despite floods, impassable roads or damaged bridges.
Exam invigilators and markers: welfare and malpractice
The Ministry has acknowledged delayed payments to invigilators and markers and pledged to prioritise welfare. Teachers serving in these roles should track payment timelines closely. The Principal Secretary also warned against all forms of malpractice, including those enabled by Artificial Intelligence, and urged strict vigilance during administration.
What teachers should do now
TSC has finished CP2 deployment. Teachers must log into the KNEC CP2 portal to download their deployment letters. Each letter shows the assigned role (invigilator, supervisor or centre manager) and the hosting school. KNEC briefings begin next week and will start with centre managers and supervisors. Attend these sessions with your deployment letter and prepared questions.
The briefing focus
- Daily management and conduct of examinations and assessments.
- The new format for shading OMR forms — teachers must learn the correct shading method to avoid scanning errors.
- Recruitment, deployment and responsibilities of field officers.
- Quality assurance processes during national assessments.
- Security procedures for centres with minimal or no security officers present.
TSC circular: roles, qualifications and rotation
The joint TSC–KNEC circular clarifies who can serve in each role:
- KCSE: Supervisors must be serving secondary teachers with at least a Diploma in Education; invigilators must be serving primary teachers with a minimum of three years’ experience.
- KJSEA: Supervisors should be serving secondary teachers (Diploma preferred) or experienced primary/junior teachers; invigilators need three years’ teaching experience.
- KPSEA: Supervisors and invigilators must be serving primary or junior teachers with at least three years’ experience and prior invigilation experience preferred.
- KCSE supervisors will be rotated weekly with handover notes required for continuity.
Practical tips to secure a smooth assessment season
- Download and print your deployment letter and bring it to the briefing.
- Study the new OMR shading instructions and practise before the exam day.
- Confirm roles and handover procedures with incoming and outgoing supervisors if involved in KCSE rotations.
- Report recruitment shortages or other operational issues promptly to the provided KNEC contacts.
Additional resources for teachers and students
Prepare learners and centres with targeted practice and curriculum materials. For CBC and exam preparation resources, see free CBC exams and revision. Primary assessment practice materials can be found in the KCPE exam resources, and senior school assessment tools are available at Grade 10 exam practice.
KNEC’s decision places trust in teachers and centre leaders. Timely briefings, careful adherence to the circular and vigilance against malpractice will be key to delivering calm, credible assessments for Kenya’s children.
