The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is calling on parents and guardians to take a proactive role in the 2026 exam registration process to avoid “avoidable heartbreaks.” Following reports of thousands of students missing out on exams or receiving erroneous certificates in 2025, the ministry is emphasizing that the responsibility of data accuracy is shared.
With over 3.7 million candidates expected to register for various assessments by March 31, 2026, the sheer volume of data makes it easy for errors to slip through the cracks.
The Education Ministry has highlighted a disturbing trend where school heads fail to register students or enter the wrong gender, leading to boys being placed in girls’ high schools and vice versa. “These errors unfairly disenfranchise our children,” said CS Julius Ogamba. Parents are encouraged to visit their children’s schools to verify that the names, gender, and assessment categories—whether KPSEA, KJSEA, or KCSE—have been entered correctly into the portal before the deadlines close.
Furthermore, the government has reiterated its “100 percent transition” policy, noting that 99 percent of the inaugural CBC cohort has already been admitted to Grade 10. To support these learners, KNEC has established 235 “Senior School Hubs” across all 47 counties.
These hubs serve as interaction points where parents and teachers can get clarity on the new school-based assessments. As the March deadline approaches, the message to parents is clear: don’t wait until it’s too late to check the portal.
