KNEC issues fresh guideliness for KPSEA exams registration

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has released guidelines for the registration of this year’s Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations.

KNEC has also issued protocols to guide parents, students, and heads of institutions in registering for the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) exams.

In a notice signed by KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere, the examination body stated that the registration exercise will close on February 28.

The registration process began in January.

According to the guidelines, heads of institutions with learners under the regular pathway must register their Grade 6 students for KPSEA afresh through KNEC’s online registration portal.

KNEC further emphasised that schools must register only bona fide candidates, warning that strict action will be taken against fraudsters.

“Registering ghost candidates constitutes an assessment malpractice, which attracts sanctions, including the de-registration of the school as a KNEC assessment centre,” the notice read in part.

“Correction of candidates’ biodata must be made during registration (where applicable) to ensure accuracy, including the correct spelling and order of learners’ names as documented in their birth certificates, gender, year of birth, and citizenship.”

KNEC stated that candidates seeking transfers to other schools must complete the process before the registration portal closes on February 28.

Eligible KPSEA candidates who are not yet registered in the Grade 6 portal must first be registered in the portal to be assigned an Assessment Number.

KNEC clarified that learners without an Assessment Number will not be able to register for KPSEA, as the number is mandatory.

Upon successful assignment of the Assessment Number in the Grade 6 portal, heads of institutions will be able to register the candidates, KNEC said.

“Heads of institutions must confirm through their school portals that the School-Based Assessment (SBA) scores for Grades 4 and 5 have been uploaded for all candidates registered for KPSEA,” the notice added.

KNEC stated that the identification of learners following the stage-based pathway for KILEA registration will be guided by their teachers.

This will occur upon confirmation of the learners’ readiness to sit for the assessment, with institutions instructed to register them through the KILEA registration portal.

According to KNEC, the government will cover assessment fees for all learners in both public and private schools.

However, non-citizen candidates will be required to pay Sh750 for the assessment through the E-Citizen platform.

KNEC added that, in accordance with Sections 25, 26, and 29 of the Data Protection Act of 2019, all Centre Managers must ensure that parents and guardians of KPSEA candidates consent to the collection of their learners' data.

The managers are also required to inform parents and guardians that the data collected will be used solely for conducting the assessment and that KNEC will adhere to all data protection regulations.

“The candidates will sign the nominal rolls and other accountability documents after confirming the accuracy of their data,” KNEC stated.