The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially announced the registration details for the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA). These assessments are pivotal components of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), marking significant milestones in the educational journey of Kenyan learners. This article provides an in-depth overview of the registration requirements, deadlines, and essential guidelines to ensure a smooth and compliant registration process.
Overview of KJSEA and KPLEA
Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA): Aimed at Grade 9 learners, the KJSEA serves as a culmination of the junior secondary education phase, assessing learners’ competencies and readiness for senior school.
Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA): Targeted at learners with special needs, the KPLEA evaluates the skills and knowledge acquired during the pre-vocational education phase, ensuring they are prepared for vocational training or integration into the workforce.
Registration Timeline
The registration window for both KJSEA and KPLEA is scheduled from March 3, 2025, to March 28, 2025. It’s imperative for all stakeholders to adhere strictly to these dates, as late registrations will not be accommodated.
Registration Process for KJSEA
Eligibility Criteria:
- Grade Level: Only learners currently enrolled in Grade 9 are eligible for KJSEA registration.
- Previous Assessments: Learners must possess a Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) performance report.
- School-Based Assessments (SBA): Completion and submission of SBA scores for Grades 7 and 8 across all learning areas are mandatory.
Registration Steps:
- Access the KJSEA Portal: Heads of Institutions (HoIs) should log into the KJSEA registration portal at cbasa.knec.ac.ke using their assigned credentials.
- Fresh Registration: All Grade 9 learners must be registered afresh; there is no automatic migration from previous databases.
- Data Accuracy: Ensure the following learner details are correctly entered:
- Full Names: As per the birth certificate.
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Citizenship Status
- Religious Education Preference: Options include Christian Religious Education (CRE), Islamic Religious Education (IRE), or Hindu Religious Education (HRE).
- Special Needs and Disabilities: Categorize appropriately using the following codes:
- B: Visually impaired (totally blind) requiring Braille.
- LV: Low vision learners requiring large print papers.
- HI: Hearing impaired.
- PH: Physically impaired.
Avoiding Malpractice:
Registration of ghost candidates is strictly prohibited and constitutes an assessment malpractice. Such actions can lead to severe sanctions, including the de-registration of the institution as a KNEC assessment center.
Transfers:
Any transfer requests for Grade 9 learners must be processed online within the registration period to prevent double registration. Transfers will not be permitted after March 28, 2025.
Verification of SBA Scores:
HoIs must confirm that SBA scores for Grades 7 and 8 are accurately uploaded for all candidates registered for KJSEA.
Registration Process for KPLEA
Eligibility Criteria:
Learners should be identified based on their readiness to undertake the assessment, as determined by their teachers.
Registration Steps:
- Access the KPLEA Portal: Institutions should log into the KPLEA registration portal at cbasa.knec.ac.ke.
- Data Entry: Accurately input all required learner information, ensuring compliance with the specified guidelines.
Registration of Non-Citizen Learners
While the Government of Kenya covers assessment fees for Kenyan citizens in both public and private schools, non-citizen learners are required to pay an assessment fee of KES 4,500.00. This payment should be made through the eCitizen platform.
Identification and Registration of Assessment Centers
Minimum Candidate Requirement:
Schools with fewer than five candidates are not permitted to register as independent assessment centers. Such schools should coordinate with their respective Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) to identify approved centers for their learners.
Hosting Arrangements:
Assessment centers with fewer than thirty candidates may be required to merge with other centers, as determined by the SCDEs, in line with KNEC guidelines.
KNEC’s Authority:
KNEC reserves the right to de-register or reassign assessment centers as necessary, in accordance with established regulations.
Registration of New Assessment Centers
Application Requirements:
Institutions seeking registration as new assessment centers must submit the following documents:
- Valid Registration Certificate: Certified copy from the County Director of Education.
- Inspection Questionnaires: Completed forms from both the SCDE’s office and the Public Health and Sanitation Department.
- Application Form: Duly filled by the school.
- Assessment Center Registration Fee: Bank deposit slip evidencing payment of KES 5,000.00 for public schools and KES 15,000.00 for private schools.
Inspection Deadline:
KNEC concluded inspections of new assessment centers by February 21, 2025. Centers not inspected by this date must liaise with their respective SCDEs to identify approved assessment centers to host their candidates.
Coding of New Sub-Counties and Distribution Centers
For newly created sub-counties requiring coding or re-coding of assessment centers, the following documents must be submitted to KNEC:
- Kenya Gazette Notice – A copy legalizing the creation of the new sub-county.
- List of Schools – Details of schools within the sub-county, including their previous and proposed new codes.
- Distribution Center Location – A clearly defined location of the container used for storing and distributing examination materials.
- Local Administration Details – Contact details of the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) or Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) overseeing the sub-county.
Security of Registration Data
All Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) and Heads of Institutions (HoIs) are responsible for securing access to the KJSEA/KPLEA registration portal.
Data Protection Guidelines
In compliance with the Data Protection Act of 2019, schools must:
- Obtain parental/guardian consent before collecting and submitting learner data.
- Inform parents/guardians that the collected data will only be used for assessment purposes.
- Ensure learners verify and sign off on their registration details before submission.
Password Security Measures
- Confidentiality: Passwords issued by KNEC should be strictly used by authorized personnel only.
- Loss or Forgotten Passwords: In case of a forgotten password, HoIs should contact KNEC via js@knec.ac.ke or seek assistance from their SCDE.
- New Centers: Once approved, new centers must use their center code as the initial login credential and change their password upon first access.
Collection Centers for Assessment Materials
Each school must confirm its designated collection center (distribution center/container) with the SCDE. These centers are where examination materials will be distributed during field administration.
Key Takeaways for KJSEA & KPLEA Registration
- Registration Deadline: March 28, 2025 – No late registrations will be accepted.
- Mandatory Data: Learners must have KPSEA performance reports, SBA scores for Grades 7 and 8, and accurate personal details.
- Non-Citizen Fees: Non-citizen learners must pay KES 4,500 via the eCitizen platform.
- Special Needs Codes: Learners with disabilities must be registered under the correct categories (Braille, Large Print, Hearing Impaired, or Physically Impaired).
- Center Hosting: Schools with fewer than five candidates must register their learners in approved centers.
- Data Security: Schools must comply with the Data Protection Act of 2019, ensuring data security and confidentiality.
With the March 28, 2025 deadline fast approaching, all stakeholders—including school heads, parents, and learners—must ensure timely registration to avoid last-minute complications. Schools are encouraged to visit the official KNEC portal cbasa.knec.ac.ke for further instructions.
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