KNEC issues Fresh Guidelines To schools As Grade 10 registration Continues
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has sent schools a new set of instructions on subject selection under the Competency-Based Curriculum, as the registration of Grade 10 learners continues across the country.
In a circular addressed to schools, KNEC reminded principals that they’re required to register Grade 10 learners on the school-Based Assessment (SBA) portal by July 30, and that the subject choices made during this process will shape everything that follows, from classroom placement to how learners are eventually assessed.
“Subject choices registered will form the basis for learner placement, instruction, and subsequent assessment processes; therefore, schools must ensure accuracy and compliance with the prescribed guidelines,” the circular states.
Schools have been told to register learners strictly in line with their confirmed career pathways and subject choices, and to make sure every subject combination fits within the approved Senior School curriculum and whatever pathways are actually offered at that particular institution.
One key clarification: learners who go for General Science won’t be allowed to also register for Biology, Physics or Chemistry, and those remain separate from the general track.
The circular also spells out how mathematics requirements shift depending on a learner’s pathway and science subjects.
Students taking two or three pure sciences will need to do Core Mathematics rather than Essential Mathematics. Those in Applied Sciences, Technical and Engineering, Social Sciences, Arts or Sports pathways have more flexibility; they can choose either Core or Essential Mathematics.
On religious education, KNEC was clear that learners may only pick one option — Christian Religious Education, Islamic Religious Education or Hindu Religious Education — not a combination.
There’s also specific guidance around Kenya Sign Language. It’s reserved strictly for learners with hearing impairment, who in turn won’t be eligible to sit Kiswahili or Fasihi ya Kiswahili.
Hearing learners aren’t shut out of sign language altogether, though; they can take Sign Language Skills, just not Kenya Sign Language itself.
KNEC is urging schools to stick closely to the guidelines, warning that mistakes at this stage could end up affecting how learners are placed and assessed down the line.
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