NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has put primary school heads and teachers on high alert, issuing a strict two-week ultimatum to complete and upload School-Based Assessment (SBA) scores for Grade 4 and 5 learners.
While schools are currently managing projects across multiple levels, the deadline for Grade 4 and 5 is fast approaching on May 29, 2026.
This follows the release of project materials last term, giving schools a narrow window to ensure all practical marks are captured in the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal.
KNEC has established staggered deadlines to manage the heavy load of the CBA portal.
While some grades have a longer leash, others are in the “red zone”:
Teachers are currently focusing on three core learning areas that require intensive project work and practicals:
The current assessment framework is designed to track a learner’s progress from the moment they enter the pathway. According to KNEC guidelines:
Registration: Learners are officially registered upon entering Grade 3, where they are issued a unique Assessment Number.
KEYA (Kenya Early Year Assessment): Grade 3 learners sit for their first major assessment, known as the Integrated Learning Assessment (ILA). This is a comprehensive project that combines all learning areas into a single task.
The SBA Cycle: For Grades 4, 5, 7, and 8, the assessment is split. Term 2 is dedicated to projects and practicals, while Term 3 focuses on written tests.
The “Sparing” Rule: Learners in Grade 6 and Grade 9 are generally exempt from standard SBA projects.
This allows them to focus exclusively on preparing for their national transition exams: the KPSEA (Kenya Primary School Education Assessment) and the KJSEA (Kenya Junior School Education Assessment).
Despite the “sparing” rule, confusion has hit Junior Schools regarding Grade 9.
KNEC had previously indicated that certain projects for Grade 9 would be made available on the CBA portal between May 11 and May 14, 2026.
However, teachers across the country have raised complaints, noting that as of today, nothing has been uploaded.
This delay has left many educators in a state of limbo, unable to plan for the practical aspects of the curriculum for the pioneer Grade 9 class.
With the May 29th deadline looming for Grade 4 and 5, the pressure is on school heads and teachers to ensure scores are uploaded accurately.
Past experiences with portal congestion near deadlines have led to calls for early submissions to avoid system crashes.
“We are urging all schools to finalize the practicals this week. Waiting until the final 48 hours is a recipe for disaster given the number of schools trying to access the CBA portal simultaneously,” noted a KNEC regional officer.
As the countdown to May 29 begins, the focus shifts to whether KNEC will resolve the Grade 9 portal hitch and if schools can meet the rigorous demands of the CBC practical assessments on time.
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