Kenya implements examination reforms for competency-based education

Kenya is implementing significant changes to its national examination systems to align with Competency-Based Education (CBE) and training standards.

The Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB) announced that starting from the December 2026 examination sitting, Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) will account for 15 per cent of the final scores for five specific certificate and diploma courses. These affected qualifications include the Certificate in Management and Accounting Skills (CAMS), Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD), Diploma in Computer Networks and Systems Administration (DCNSA), Diploma in Quality Management (DQM), and Diploma in Data Management and Analytics (DDMA). Students must be enrolled in accredited institutions to receive these marks.

Simultaneously, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has launched an eight-day online training program for senior school and vocational teachers. The initiative focuses on equipping educators with the skills to write assessment items under the CBE system. This training aims to improve the quality of assessment questions and ensure national standards are maintained ahead of the 2026 examination season, which is projected to involve approximately 3.6 million candidates.