- The Kenya National Examination Council is responsible for administering exams to learners in Kenya
- Part of its role also entails reviewing the curriculum so that learners are taught programmes that relate to the needs of the job market
- The exam body has now scrapped 70 business and technical courses that it deems are not relevant to the needs of learners in the country
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Bonface Kanyamwaya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than 10 years of financial, economic, business, markets, and aviation expertise, providing insights into Kenya and global trends.
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has scrapped 70 business and technical courses as it seeks to offer new courses that suit the needs of current learners.
In a circular dated Monday, May 5, the exam body said that as part of phasing out the courses, a definite deadline has been set for the final examinations of the outdated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
The circular, which was also copied to regional TVET directors by the Kenya National Examination Council, said the last examination for those non-modular courses will be administered in November 2025.
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“The Kenya National Examination Council wishes to inform all heads of TVET institutions, TVET county directors, and sub-county directors of education offering business and technical examinations that the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has been reviewing TVET curricula and syllabi since 2009.
“In review, non-modular courses have gradually been replaced by modular TVET courses,” said KNEC CEO David Njengere in the circular, which was seen by TUKO.co.ke.
Njengere emphasised that institutions offering phased-out programmes must stop registering new candidates after the November 2025 exams.
Phased-out Courses
Some of these courses will be replaced under the revised curriculum, while others will be completely phased out.
ICT, Applied Sciences, and Hospitality:
- Diploma in Information Technology (2209) will be replaced by course 2910
- Diploma in Applied Biology (2301) will be replaced by course 2914
- Diploma in Dietetics Management (2406) will be replaced by course 2916
Engineering and Technical Certificates:
- Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (1102) will be replaced by course 1501
- Craft Certificate in Automotive Engineering (1103) will be replaced by 1503
- Craft Certificate in Welding & Fabrication (1106) will be replaced by 1508
- Certificate in Electrical Installation (1201) is replaced by 1504
- Certificate in Electronics Instruments & Fault Diagnosis (1204) moves to 1601
Engineering Diplomas:
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering—Production Option (2101) will be replaced by 2501.
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering—Fabrication Tech. & Metallurgy Option (2102) is replaced by 2502
- Diploma in Building (2305) changes to 2705
- Diploma in Civil Engineering (2307) changes to 2707
- Diploma in Architecture (2709 and 2909) both shift to 2710
Phased-Out Business Diplomas
Automotive and Construction Engineering:
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Production Option (2101) will be replaced by course 2501
- Diploma in Plant and Work Services Engineering (2102) will be replaced by course 2502
- Diploma in Automotive Engineering (2103) will be replaced by course 2503
- Diploma in Construction Plant Engineering (2104) will be replaced by course 2504
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Fabrication Option (2106) will be replaced by course 2508
- Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering – Airframes and Engines (2107) will be replaced by 2506
Several diploma-level courses are also being replaced or discontinued:
- Diploma in Secretarial Studies (2801) is replaced by 2901
- Diploma in Marketing (2802) becomes 2902
- Diploma in Supplies Management (2803) is now 2903
- Diploma in Business Administration (2806) transitions to 2906
- Diploma in Cooperative Management (2807) is replaced by 2907
Exam Funding Omitted from the Budget
The education system in Kenya is facing a bleak future after a KSh 62 billion cut, which left the national examinations without any funding.
Kenyan legislators have warned that parents could be forced to pay for exam registration.
This means that thousands of learners are likely to miss out on assessments like KNEC, JSCE, and KCSE.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
