The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is gearing up for the 2026 academic year by announcing that it will open the examination registration portal for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) in February 2026. This announcement, made by KNEC’s Chief Executive Officer David Njengere during the release of the 2025 KCSE results, signifies the beginning of the registration process for the candidates who will be sitting for these important national exams later this year.
The move is a timely and critical one, ensuring that students in Grade 6, Grade 9, and Form Four are properly registered for their respective exams. The registration process will run from February to March, giving parents and guardians ample time to ensure their children are officially registered for the exams. The announcement comes at a time when KNEC has been working to streamline the exam registration process, particularly addressing the challenges faced by some parents during previous years.
The 2026 Registration Process: What Parents Need to Know
During the announcement on January 9, 2026, KNEC CEO David Njengere highlighted that the registration portal would cater to students in Grade 6, Grade 9, and Form Four, as these are the grades that will be taking the KCSE, KJSEA, and KPSEA exams, respectively.
Parents and guardians are urged to pay close attention to the registration process and ensure that their children are registered on time. Njengere emphasized the importance of early registration, stating that many parents often wait until the last minute, only to discover that their children have not been registered. This can create unnecessary complications as the examination dates approach.
“I take this chance to remind every parent with a child entering Grade 6, Grade 9, and Form Four this year to please take an interest in checking whether your child has been registered,” Njengere advised. “We are going to open the portal for registration in February, which will run all the way to March.”
This call to action comes after several complaints received in the past where parents contacted KNEC just a month before the exams, only to find out that their children had not been registered. Such last-minute issues have made it difficult for KNEC to resolve the matter efficiently, and Njengere urged parents to be proactive in verifying their children’s registration status well before the exams begin.
Key Dates for Registration
The KNEC registration portal will officially open in February 2026, with a deadline for registration in March 2026. During this period, parents can log in to the portal and complete the registration process for their children, providing all the required documentation and details. The timely completion of this process is essential for ensuring that students are officially listed as candidates for the upcoming exams.
It’s important to note that the portal will be open to all candidates in Grade 6 (who will sit for the KPSEA), Grade 9 (who will sit for the KJSEA), and Form Four (who will sit for the KCSE). These three examinations are crucial milestones in the Kenyan education system, with KCSE serving as the final examination for secondary school students, KPSEA marking the end of primary education, and KJSEA being the national assessment for junior secondary students.
Introducing SMS Verification for Registration
In addition to the online portal for registration, KNEC has also announced the introduction of an SMS verification code system, which will be rolled out in April 2026. This new service aims to make it easier for parents to verify that their children have been successfully registered for the exams.
The SMS verification service will allow parents to confirm the registration status of their children at any time during the April school holidays, giving them ample time to address any issues they may encounter. Njengere noted that this initiative was introduced to provide parents with a quick and easy way to ensure that their children are properly registered and avoid the last-minute rush.
“We are introducing the SMS service during the April school holidays so that parents have enough time to address any registration issues that may arise,” said Njengere. “It’s our way of ensuring that no student is left behind due to registration errors or oversight.”
This new service is expected to significantly reduce the number of complaints received by KNEC regarding unregistered students, as it will allow parents to take immediate action if any issues arise, rather than waiting until the exam period is upon them.
KNEC’s Digital Training Portal for Teachers
As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the education system and support the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, KNEC has also launched a digital training portal for senior school teachers. This portal aims to provide free training courses to help teachers develop their skills in competency-based assessments, which are a crucial component of the new curriculum.
The portal is designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to assess students based on their competencies rather than traditional academic measurements. This is in line with the Kenyan government’s commitment to creating an education system that focuses on students’ overall development and practical skills, rather than just their academic performance.
For senior school teachers, the KNEC digital portal will offer various resources and training materials to help them implement the CBE curriculum effectively. This initiative is expected to improve the quality of education in Kenya and ensure that teachers are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the education sector.
Clearing Outstanding Payments for 2025 Examinations
In related news, the Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok reassured all markers and examiners involved in the 2025 national examinations that the government, in collaboration with the Treasury, is taking steps to clear all outstanding payments for their services. Bitok emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that all examiners receive their dues promptly.
“I want to assure all our stakeholders who participated in the 2025 exams that we’re working very closely with the treasury and their dues will be paid as soon as possible,” Bitok assured the markers and examiners.
This assurance comes after concerns were raised about delayed payments for individuals who contributed to the administration of the 2025 national exams. The government has acknowledged the issue and is working to resolve it swiftly, ensuring that all personnel involved in the examination process are compensated fairly and on time.
A Step Toward Streamlined Education
The announcement of the opening of the registration portal for the 2026 KCSE, KJSEA, and KPSEA exams marks a significant step toward streamlining the registration process for national examinations in Kenya. With the introduction of SMS verification codes, the digital training portal for teachers, and the commitment to clearing outstanding payments for examiners, KNEC is working hard to improve the overall efficiency of the national exams system.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to take an active role in ensuring their children’s registration is completed on time, helping to prevent any last-minute issues. As Kenya continues to implement the Competency-Based Education curriculum, the focus on competency-based assessments will also play a key role in shaping the future of education in the country. These efforts reflect the government’s commitment to providing an education system that serves the needs of all students and prepares them for success in the real world.
