- KNEC has directed schools to verify SBA scores for KPSEA and KJSEA candidates by July 30.
- The council warns that incomplete assessment records could affect learners’ final results and placement.
- Schools have been urged to review uploaded scores promptly and correct any discrepancies before the deadline.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has directed all primary and junior schools across the country to urgently verify that School-Based Assessment (SBA) scores for learners registered for the 2026 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) have been accurately uploaded to the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal.
In a fresh directive issued to school heads, KNEC said institutions must log into the CBA portal and confirm that every learner’s assessment records have been successfully uploaded by July 30, 2026.
The council revealed that it has already commenced a nationwide verification exercise to identify schools that have complied with the requirement and those yet to complete the process.
Why the verification matters
The verification exercise comes at a critical time as School-Based Assessments have become an integral component of learner evaluation under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
Unlike the former examination-focused model, CBE places significant emphasis on continuous assessment, ensuring that learners are evaluated throughout their learning journey rather than relying solely on a final examination.
For candidates sitting the 2026 KPSEA, School-Based Assessments conducted in Grades 4, 5 and 6 contribute 60 per cent of the learner’s final score. The remaining 40 per cent is obtained from the national assessment administered by KNEC.
For learners undertaking the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), School-Based Assessments conducted in Grades 7 and 8 contribute 20 per cent of the overall score, while the national assessment accounts for the remaining 80 per cent.
Because of the significant contribution of these assessments, any missing, inaccurate or incomplete SBA records could adversely affect a learner’s final results, placement and academic progression.
KNEC has therefore emphasised that schools bear the responsibility of ensuring every candidate’s assessment data is complete, accurate and correctly captured before the deadline.
The latest directive follows previous extensions granted by KNEC for uploading Grade 4 and Grade 5 SBA scores after some schools failed to meet earlier submission timelines.
The fresh verification exercise appears aimed at eliminating outstanding gaps and ensuring all learner records are complete ahead of the national assessments.
At the same time, KNEC is intensifying preparations for the 2026 national assessments.
According to the assessment timetable, the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will be administered from October 26 to October 28, 2026, while the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will run from October 26 to October 30, 2026.
Schools urged to act promptly
The council has cautioned that failure to verify uploaded SBA records by July 30 could result in incomplete candidate data being submitted for processing.
Such omissions may delay or complicate the computation of learners’ final scores and ultimately affect the timely release of assessment results.
School principals and head teachers have therefore been advised to review their institutions’ assessment records promptly and report any technical challenges or discrepancies through the appropriate KNEC support channels instead of waiting until the deadline approaches.
KNEC has also encouraged parents and guardians to follow up with their children’s schools to confirm that all School-Based Assessment scores have been uploaded correctly.
Since these assessments now contribute significantly to the final national results under the Competency-Based Education system, parents also have a role in ensuring no learner is disadvantaged by administrative errors or missing records.
The verification exercise underscores the growing importance of continuous assessment in Kenya’s education system.
READ ALSO: Kaplong Boys to host regional career fair for CBE and 8-4-4 learners
With only weeks remaining before the July 30 deadline, schools are expected to treat the exercise as a priority to safeguard the integrity of candidates’ assessment records and ensure every learner receives a fair and accurate final score.
By Hillary Muhalya
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
