The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a circular, KNEC/GEN/EA/EM/REGISTRATION/2024/001, dated January 22, 2024, to provide guidelines for the registration of learners for the 2024 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA). The circular addresses sub-county directors of education and heads of schools participating in these assessments.
Key Points from the Circular
1. Registration Period
- Commencement: Registration for the 2024 KPSEA and KILEA assessments is scheduled to commence on January 29, 2024.
- Closure: The registration period will end on March 29, 2024.
2. Registration Pathways
Regular Pathway (KPSEA)
- Eligibility: Heads of institutions are expected to register Grade 6 learners for KPSEA.
- Fresh Registration: All Grade 6 learners must be registered afresh for the assessment.
- Portal Access: Registration will be done through the KPSEA Registration portal accessible between January 29 and March 29, 2024.
- Avoiding Malpractice: Registration of ghost candidates is considered an assessment malpractice and may lead to sanctions, including deregistration of the school as a KNEC examination center.
- Biodata Editing: Heads of institutions are responsible for editing candidates’ biodata for accuracy, including names, gender, year of birth, citizenship, religious education option, and special needs categories.
Stage-Based Pathway (KILEA)
- Identification of learners for KILEA in the stage-based pathway will be guided by teachers upon confirmation of learners’ readiness to sit for the assessment.
3. Non-Citizen Learners
- Government Support: The Government of Kenya will pay assessment fees for all learners except non-Kenyan citizens.
- Fees for Non-Citizens: Non-citizen learners are required to pay an assessment fee of Kes. 750.00, deposited in designated bank accounts.
- Submission of Deposit Slips: Headteachers should submit deposit slips to sub-county directors of education, who will forward them to KNEC along with other registration documents.
4. Assessment Centers
Identification and Approval
- Schools with Less Than Five Candidates: Schools with less than five candidates will not be allowed to register candidates as independent assessment centers. They are advised to collaborate with their sub-county directors of education to identify approved KNEC assessment centers.
- Assessment Centers with Less Than Thirty Candidates: Centers with less than thirty candidates will be hosted in approved assessment centers identified by sub-county directors of education.
- Deregistration: KNEC reserves the right to deregister or relocate an assessment center and its candidates if necessary.
New Assessment Centers
- Facilitation by SCDE: The office of the sub-county director of education (SCDE) will facilitate the registration of new institutions applying to be assessment centers.
- Inspection and Approval: New assessment centers are subject to inspection by KNEC, and approval will be communicated in writing.
5. Coding of New Sub-Counties and Distribution Centers
- Newly created sub-counties requesting coding and re-coding of assessment centers within their jurisdiction must submit required documents to KNEC for validation.
6. Password Management
- All SCDEs and heads of institutions are responsible for the security and use of passwords issued by KNEC for accessing portals.
7. Closing Remarks
- The registration portal will be closed on March 29, 2024, with no provision for late registration.
- Adherence to regulations and guidelines is crucial for effective administration of the assessments.
Final Thoughts
The KNEC circular provides comprehensive guidelines for the registration of learners for the 2024 KPSEA and KILEA assessments. It emphasizes the importance of accurate registration data, adherence to deadlines, and the security of passwords to ensure a smooth and effective assessment process. All stakeholders are urged to follow the outlined procedures for successful registration.