NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has urged parents to take an active role in confirming that their children are registered for national examinations.
KNEC said it will roll out an SMS verification system in April to help parents independently confirm registration details.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njeng’ere said parents with learners in Grade 6, Grade 9, and Form Four should not rely solely on schools.
“I want to invite every parent with a child in Grade 6, Grade 9, and Form Four to take an interest and find out whether their child has been registered,” Njeng’ere said.
He said candidate registration usually takes place in February and March. Despite this, KNEC often receives complaints after the registration window has closed.
“Sometimes we get calls from parents saying their children were not registered, yet the registration period is already over,” he said.
Njeng’ere said the SMS service will allow parents to verify registration early and avoid last-minute disputes.
“In April, parents can use the SMS platform to ensure that every child has been registered,” he said.
The council did not immediately release details on the cost or specific SMS format, but said full guidelines will be issued before the rollout.
Njeng’ere also addressed concerns around assessments under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
He said KNEC has put in place support systems for teachers handling senior school assessments.
“For senior school, KNEC has developed a platform and a portal where teachers can take their time to build their capacity in CBC,” he said.
The platform is designed to help teachers understand assessment tools, reporting requirements, and curriculum expectations.
KNEC said the measures aim to reduce errors, improve accountability, and ensure smooth administration of national assessments.
The council urged parents, schools, and teachers to work together to safeguard learners’ academic progression and examination eligibility.
