KNEC invites teachers for course on setting competency-based assessment questions

KNEC CEO David Njegere. /KNEC

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has invited qualified teachers and teacher educators to apply for a specialised course on setting competency-based assessment questions, in a move aimed at improving the quality of national assessments.

The one-week online training, scheduled to begin on April 20, 2026, will focus on equipping participants with skills to develop high-quality test items aligned with the Competency-Based Education (CBE).

Successful participants will to join KNEC's pool of contracted exam setters in push to strengthen exam quality as Kenya deepens shift to skills-based learning.

"Participants who successfully complete the training will be certified and may, from time to time, be engaged by KNEC as contracted professionals as need arises," KNEC CEO David Njegere said.

KNEC said the programme is part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of teachers and teacher trainers in both classroom and national assessments, ensuring evaluations accurately measure learner competencies.

The training comes as the transition from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Education enters the final phase, marking a significant shift in how learners are assessed.

The last Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam under the 8-4-4 system will be conducted in 2027, completely phasing out of the 40-year-old system.

Unlike the 8-4-4 model that largely relied on memorisation and high-stakes final examinations, competency-based assessment focuses on continuous evaluation of what learners can do.

It places emphasis on practical skills, projects and portfolios, rather than rote learning through constant drilling without necessarily understanding the underlying concepts.

The shift has increased the need for well-trained professionals who can design assessments that are clear, fair and capable of measuring real understanding and application of skills.

Teachers selected for the training will learn how to set structured, balanced and standardised questions that align with curriculum goals, while avoiding ambiguity and bias.

According to KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njegere, applicants must meet strict professional and ethical standards to qualify for the training.

Candidates must possess unquestionable integrity, be experts or specialists in the subject or learning area for which they wish to be trained, and be currently teaching the subjects or learning area in primary, junior or senior school, teacher training colleges or foundation, intermediate, prevocational and vocational levels.

Applicants must also have at least three years of teaching experience and must hold relevant academic and professional qualifications, be registered with the Teachers Service Commission, and be formally recommended by their head of institution.

In addition, applicants should demonstrate familiarity with curriculum designs in their areas of specialisation.

KNEC said teachers who have previously undergone similar training in item writing should not apply.

Applications are to be submitted online through markingapp.knec.ac.ke by April 13, 2026.

Further details on the application process are provided on the KNEC portal.Oonly shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The initiative is expected to build a stronger pool of skilled exam setters, helping to align national assessments with the evolving demands of competency-based learning.