NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has invited qualified Senior School and vocational teachers to apply for training in item writing for Competency-Based Assessment (CBA).
The online programme will run from October 12 to 30, 2026, and will equip teachers with skills to develop quality test items aligned with competency-based assessment.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere said the training is part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of teachers and teacher educators in classroom and national assessment while maintaining examination and assessment standards.
KNEC’s online training platform lists item writing and competency-based assessment among its training areas for educators, assessors and examination professionals.
Who Can Apply?
The training is open to teachers currently teaching the subject or learning area for which they are applying at Senior School or vocational level under the stage-based curriculum.
Applicants must have an unblemished professional record and demonstrate integrity. They must also have the relevant academic and professional qualifications for their subject or learning area.
KNEC said applicants should be subject specialists or professionals qualified to teach the area for which they are seeking training and must be conversant with the relevant curriculum designs.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have at least one year of teaching experience.
- Be registered with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
- Be currently teaching the subject or learning area for which they are applying.
- Have the relevant academic and professional qualifications.
- Demonstrate integrity and maintain a clean professional record.
- Be conversant with the applicable curriculum designs.
- Obtain a formal recommendation from the head of their institution.
Teachers who have previously undergone KNEC training in item writing have been advised not to apply.
KNEC has previously used similar training programmes to build the capacity of teachers and teacher educators to develop quality assessment items, with successful participants eligible for certification and possible future engagement in assessment activities.
Application Deadline
Eligible teachers have until September 30, 2026, to submit their applications through the KNEC examiners application portal.
Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.
The training is expected to strengthen teachers’ ability to develop assessments that effectively measure learner competencies as Kenya continues implementing competency-based education and assessment.
Successful Teachers to Receive Certification
Njengere said teachers who successfully complete the programme will be certified and may subsequently be engaged by KNEC in assessment-related activities when the need arises.
The council is mandated to set and maintain national examination and assessment standards at school, post-school and teacher education levels.
KNEC’s current assessment resources include competency-based assessment, test development, item writing, moderation, validation and quality assurance.
KNEC Prepares for Major 2026 Assessment Season
The training comes as KNEC prepares for the 2026 national examination and assessment cycle.
The council is expected to administer the KCSE, KPSEA and KJSEA, while also overseeing school-based assessments for Grade 10 learners.
KNEC’s official website currently lists the 2026 KCSE, KJSEA and KPSEA timetables and a range of Grade 10 and vocational school-based assessment guidelines.
The expansion of competency-based assessment has increased the need for teachers and assessment professionals who can develop reliable, valid and curriculum-aligned assessment items.
