The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is steadily moving away from traditional, one-size-fits-all assessments toward a data and evidence-driven system that aligns with the Competency-Based Education curriculum design.
The shift reflects a broader transformation in the country’s education sector, where evaluation is increasingly expected to capture not just what learners know, but how they apply knowledge in real-world contexts.
At the centre of this transition is the 3rd Annual Educational Assessment Symposium 2026, scheduled for May 4–8 at New Mitihani House in South C, Nairobi.
The five-day forum will bring together experts, researchers and education professionals to interrogate how data and artificial intelligence can be leveraged to enhance assessment of learners, based not just on what they learn in class, but their individual talents as well.
The symposium, themed “Reimagining Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment for Inclusive, Innovative and Future-Ready Learning”, will feature presentations and discussions structured around six sub-themes, reflecting the multidimensional approach KNEC is taking in redefining future assessments.
The sub-themes are Data-Driven Assessment for Curriculum Improvement and Evidence-Based Policy, Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Assessment and Inclusive Learning, Secure and Ethical Digital Assessment Systems, Authentic and Performance-Based Assessment in Competency-Based Education, Academia-Industry Collaboration and Dual Certification, and Assessment Hubs and Learner Exhibitions as Innovation Platforms.
Under the first sub-theme, Data-Driven Assessment for Curriculum Improvement and Evidence-Based Policy, discussions will focus on how insights drawn from national examinations and School-Based Assessments (SBA) can strengthen curriculum implementation.
Participants will explore the application of learning analytics in improving classroom instruction, the use of assessment evidence in policymaking and planning, and how learner profiles can guide transitions and progression.
There will also be emphasis on building teacher capacity in assessment literacy.
The second sub-theme, Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Assessment and Inclusive Learning, will examine the role of AI in shaping personalised and inclusive pedagogy.
It will cover assistive technologies for learners with special educational needs, integration of digital tools in national and senior school assessment systems, and the alignment of AI-enabled assessment with curriculum standards.
Outcomes from the symposium are expected to feed into KNEC’s ongoing strategies to reshape how assessments are conducted, particularly as competency-based education (CBE) advances beyond senior school by 2029.
CBE is set to formally phase out the exam-centred 8-4-4 system in 2027, with the transition already in the final phase after the pioneer cohort joined Grade 10 in January 2026.
Unlike 8-4-4, the new model of instruction places emphasis on continuous, formative assessment rather than high-stakes final examinations.
Classroom-based evaluations such as projects and portfolios account for 60 per cent of a learner’s score, while summative assessments contribute the remaining 40 per cent.
To support this shift, KNEC has invited teachers and teacher educators for training on the development of quality tests tailored for competency-based assessment across primary, junior and senior school levels, as well as teacher training institutions.
The council’s move toward data-driven assessment is anchored in its 2023–2027 strategic plan, which seeks to align Kenya’s education system with international standards.
By replacing generic, paper-based examinations with systems that track individual learner progress, KNEC aims to make assessments more responsive, transparent and effective.
The data-driven, technology-enabled assessment aims to achieve the following:
Individualised Learning Support: Instead of a single final score, data-driven assessments provide detailed insights into specific knowledge gaps, allowing teachers to create customised learning pathways and target interventions for each student.
Enhanced Assessment Integrity: By utilising technology like AI-powered scoring, electronic marking, and online secure portals, KNEC aims to reduce human error and minimise exam malpractice, restoring trust in the assessment process.
Holistic Evaluation: The new focus moves beyond testing rote memory to evaluating practical skills, attitudes and competencies, as learners demonstrate their knowledge through projects and practical activities.
Evidence-Based Decision Making: Data collected from continuous assessments enables policymakers and educators to make decisions based on real-time performance data, such as identifying struggling schools or tailoring teacher training needs.
Efficiency in Operations: Digitisation streamlines the assessment process, allowing for faster processing of results for the increasing number of candidates in the education system.
Ultimately, KNEC’s transition signals a fundamental redefinition of assessment in Kenya, one that prioritises insight over scores, progression over ranking and adaptability over uniformity.
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