Ministry of Education Announces 2026 National Exam Registration Dates

The Ministry of Education has announced the official registration timelines for the 2026 national assessment and examinations. 

The registration exercise will cover the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), which are administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Speaking during the launch of the 2026 candidates’ registration season in Nairobi, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba acknowledged President William Ruto’s support for the education sector as the ministry rolls out reforms to the examination and assessment system.

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Ministry Announces Registration Timelines for 2026 Exams

In his speech, Ogamba announced the official examination and assessment dates.

• Registration dates for KPSEA will start from 16th February to 16th March 2026
• Registration period for KJSEA will start from 2nd March to 31st March 2026
• Registration period for KCSE will start from 16th February to 31st March 2026

School Heads Warned over Student Registration Errors

Ogamba expressed concern about persistent errors made by some school heads during past registration exercises.

These errors include incorrect personal details, such as students’ genders, and the failure to register eligible candidates at all.

“In the past, including in the just concluded examination and assessment cycle, there have been cases of learners who have suffered because their Heads of Institution uploaded erroneous data, by, for example, indicating the wrong gender. In some cases, some learners were not registered at all,” stated Ogamba.

Ogamba has since warned that such mistakes unfairly disadvantage learners and expose the government to legal risks.

“These errors unduly and unfairly disenfranchise learners and also expose the Government to serious legal risks. We have to avert them at all costs,” Ogamba stated.

To curb the problems, Ogamba has stated that tougher measures will be taken for the school heads, including disciplinary action by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Ministry Of Education Transition Reforms

The CS also highlighted progress in the transition to Senior School under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, noting that nearly all eligible learners have moved to Grade 10.

“Following strategic measures by the Government, including the directive by President Ruto that no learner shall be denied admission on account of uniform or school fees, our transition to Grade 10 is nearing 99%,” said Ogamba.

He revealed that once the 2026 registration exercise is complete, KNEC will open a portal for the registration of Grade 10 learners for School-Based Assessments, which will contribute to final grading at the Senior School level.

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To enhance readiness, the Ministry has established 235 Senior School hubs across all 47 counties and launched an online training portal for teachers to strengthen competency-based assessment skills.

KNEC to Roll Out Online Certificate Verification System

Ogamba also announced the rollout of an electronic certificate system by KNEC to improve security and accessibility, which will apply to certificates issued from 2023

As part of enhancing the integrity of our education and assessment system, we are also rolling out online certificate verification.

“KNEC will be implementing a secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electronic certificate system, which will be applicable to certificates issued from 2023.”

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