Schools across the country are racing against time to complete the registration of Grade 10 learners as the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) tightens rules on subject selection under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The council has issued fresh instructions to guide schools during the ongoing registration exercise on the School-Based Assessment (SBA) portal, which must be completed by July 30.
According to KNEC, the information submitted during registration will play a major role in determining learner placement, classroom instruction and future assessments in senior school.
In a circular obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, KNEC stressed that schools must ensure all details entered in the system are accurate and comply with the approved curriculum guidelines.
The council warned that subject choices made at this stage will shape learners’ academic journeys and future assessment processes.Principals have been directed to register students strictly according to their confirmed career pathways and selected subjects.
Schools have also been instructed to ensure that every subject combination aligns with the approved Senior School curriculum and the pathways available within their institutions.
One of the major clarifications issued by KNEC concerns science subjects. Learners who choose General Science will not be allowed to register for Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
The council said schools must ensure students comply with this requirement during registration.
The circular also provides guidance on mathematics subjects. Students taking two or three pure science subjects will be required to study Core Mathematics.
They will not be eligible to take Essential Mathematics.For learners pursuing Applied Sciences, Technical and Engineering, Social Sciences, Arts or Sports pathways, KNEC has provided flexibility by allowing them to choose either Core Mathematics or Essential Mathematics depending on their learning pathway and interests.
The council has also limited learners to one religious education subject. Students will only be allowed to select either Christian Religious Education (CRE), Islamic Religious Education (IRE) or Hindu Religious Education (HRE).
Special provisions have been made for learners with hearing impairment. KNEC directed that Kenya Sign Language should only be taken by learners with hearing impairment.
Such learners will not be required to sit Kiswahili or Fasihi ya Kiswahili examinations.For hearing learners interested in sign language, the council clarified that they may take Sign Language Skills but will not be allowed to register for Kenya Sign Language.
KNEC has urged schools to carefully follow the guidelines and verify all learner details before submitting them through the SBA portal.
The council noted that compliance with the new instructions will help prevent registration errors and ensure a smooth transition for learners as they begin senior school under the CBC system.
