KNEC To Scrap The Following Courses By November Major Curriculum Overhaul

In a significant move aimed at aligning vocational education with modern industry demands, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced plans to discontinue 70 courses currently offered in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the country.

According to a circular dated May 5, 2025, the affected courses have been deemed outdated and no longer relevant to the evolving labor market. The circular, signed by KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Njengere, was addressed to Regional and County TVET Directors, Sub-County Directors of Education, and heads of TVET institutions.

It outlined a comprehensive transition plan and warned institutions against continuing to offer programs that have already been marked for phase-out.

According to Dr. Njengere, these changes are part of broader efforts by the Council and other key education stakeholders to modernize the TVET curriculum and ensure graduates possess skills that are both practical and market-driven.

The Council said institutions must transition to modular curricula developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), which are better aligned with current technological advancements and workforce needs.

The circular emphasized that examinations for the phased-out courses will only be offered one final time in November 2025. No further registration for these courses will be permitted beyond that date. Furthermore, the modular programs identified for discontinuation will be phased out gradually over a two-year period, ending in November 2027.

“KNEC wishes to notify the institutions still offering the expired courses that examinations for the phased-out courses will be offered for the last time in November 2025, as shown in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2,” Dr. Njengere stated. “There will be no registration of candidates for these courses after November 2025.”

He further added, “Phased-out Modular courses will be discontinued progressively between November 2025 and November 2027 as shown in Appendix 3. There will be no registration of candidates for these Modular courses after November 2027.”

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Courses to Be Discontinued

Some of the notable programs targeted for discontinuation include:

1. Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
2. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Production Option)
3. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Fabrication Technology & Metallurgy Option)
4. Diploma in Automotive Engineering
5. Certificate in Welding and Fabrication
6. Certificate in Electrical Installation
7. Diploma in Electronics Instruments & Fault Diagnosis
8. Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering
9. Diploma in Applied Biology
10. Craft Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology
11. Diploma in Food Science & Technology
12. Diploma in Secretarial Studies
13. Higher Diploma in Marketing

KNEC indicated that while some of these courses will be modified and integrated into the new curriculum framework, others will be completely eliminated due to declining student interest or redundancy in content.

The Council revealed that certain programs have failed to attract adequate candidate enrollment over the years, thus failing to justify their continued existence.

The circular also revealed that despite a previous directive pausing registration of candidates in outdated programs, some institutions have continued to admit learners into these courses using unauthorized schemes.

KNEC expressed concern over the practice and warned that it would take regulatory action against any institution that fails to comply with the transition plan.

“We have noted with concern that some institutions have exploited the provision allowing students with referrals to re-sit their exams by registering entirely new cohorts under expired programs,” Dr. Njengere said. “This practice undermines the integrity of the examination system and the reform process we are undertaking.”

Among the modular business programs to be phased out is the Craft Certificate in Human Resource Management (Course Code 1908), which will be replaced by a new course (Code 1926). According to KNEC, the last intake for Module 1 of the current course will take place in November 2025, followed by Module 2 in November 2026.

Similarly, the Diploma in Human Resource Management (Code 2908) will transition to a new curriculum (Code 2926), with final examinations for Modules 1, 2, and 3 taking place in November 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively.

The Diploma in International Freight Management (Code 2815) is also slated for phase-out and will be replaced by a revised program (Code 2925), with a similar staggered phase-out timeline through November 2027.

KNEC has justified the changes as part of a broader effort to revamp Kenya’s vocational education system and ensure that the training provided meets both local and international labor market demands. The Council emphasized that the new curriculum modules being introduced are the result of consultations with industry experts, curriculum developers, and education quality assurance bodies.

“The aim is to ensure that TVET graduates are equipped with the practical, up-to-date skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic and competitive job market,” Dr. Njengere stated.

The council has urged all institutions to adhere strictly to the timelines provided and to engage constructively with the Ministry of Education and the KICD during the transition period.

The hope is that these curriculum reforms will enhance the quality and relevance of vocational training in Kenya, ultimately improving employment outcomes for TVET graduates.

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