Knec circular on KCSE 2025 candidates registration
THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
KNEC/GEN/EA/EM/REG/KCSE/2025/01
14th February, 2025
To: i) All Sub-County Directors of Education
ii) All Principals of Secondary Schools presenting Candidates for the 2025 KCSE Examination
SUBJECT: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025 KCSE EXAMINATION
The registration of candidates wishing to sit the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination is scheduled to commence on 17th February, 2025 and end on 28th March, 2025.
Registration of candidates will be strictly online. Institutions shall therefore log into the KNEC registration portal www.knec-portal.ac.ke to capture registration details of their candidates using their examination centre login credentials.
In this regard, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) wishes to bring to your attention the following information:
1.0 Registration of Regular Candidates
Heads of institutions will be responsible for registration of their candidates. They have the responsibility of ensuring that:
1.1 all candidates presented for the examination are eligible. Registration of ghost candidates constitute an examination malpractice, which attracts sanctions, including deregistration of the school as a KNEC examination centre,
1.2 all candidates adhere to the laid down regulations on subject entry requirements for grading (subject clusters) as stipulated in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015) and the User Guide for Management of KCSE Examination (2nd Edition 2024) which can be accessed from the KNEC website (www.knec.ac.ke/downloads).
1.3 all eligible candidates upload their correct passport size photographs (300 x 300 pixels). There will be no replacement/changing of photographs once the registration period is over,
1.4 the registration data for all the candidates presented is accurate. This includes:
1.4.1 correct spelling and order of candidates’ names as documented in their KCPE examination certificates;
1.4.2 gender;
1.4.3 year of birth;
1.4.4 citizenship;
1.4.5 entry Codes (F, 2nd or 3rd attempt);
1.4.6 Birth Certificate number;
1.4.7 subjects registered for; and
1.4.8 Category of special needs and disabilities (where app/icab/e), coded as follows:
i) B: for visually impaired candidates who require Braille (totally blind);
ii) LV: for visually impaired candidates who require Large Print papers (Low Vision);
iii) D: for candidates with hearing impairment (Deaf);
iv) P: for candidates with physical impairments.
2.0 Registration of Repeaters and other Private Candidates
2.1 Persons wishing to sit the KCSE examination as private candidates (those who are not enrolled in a regular school setting) shall be registered at Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) offices.
These include repeaters (candidates who have sat the KCSE examination in previous years), wishing to improve on their grade.
The candidates may register as full repeaters (registering for seven or more subjects) or partia/ repeaters (registering for less than seven subjects).
It is mandatory for Heads of Institutions to declare repeaters registering for KCSE Examination in their institutions.
2.2 Any candidate wishing to repeat (full repeaters or partial repeaters) will be allowed to do so, regardless of the year they sat their KCSE examination, as long as there is proof of having registered for KCSE examination previously.
2.3 The candidates will sit their theory and practical papers at their County headquarters in examination centres to be identified by the County Directors of Education, while projects will be administered at sub-county level, in institutions to be identified by the respective SCDEs.
2.4 Candidates will only be allowed access into examination centres upon proof of their eligibility, including use of National Identity card/birth certificate/ passport. It is the responsibility of the candidates to follow up with their respective contact offices to ensure that they:
2.4.1 are duly registered;
2.4.2 confirm accuracy of their registration data; and
2.4.3 get information on the venue(s) for rehearsals and administration of the examination.
2.5 The fees payable will be Kess 7,200.00 and shall be borne by the candidate. The fees shall be paid at the point of registration through E-Citizen, as per the details provided in the KNEC registration platform. Please note that fee payment is mandatory for successful registration.
3.0 Examination Fees
All Education Officers and Heads of institutions are expected to adhere to the Regulations and User Guide for the Management of KCSE examination regarding payment of examination fees, and in particular, note the following:
3.1 The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education (MOE) shall pay examination fees for all candidates in public and private schools except for the following categories of candidates:
3.1.1 candidates who are re-sitting/repeating the examinations;
3.1.2 Non-Citizens (Non Kenyans);
3.1.3 Private candidates registering in the Sub County Private Examination Centres.
3.2 The fees payable will be Kes. 7,200.00 and shall be borne by the candidate.
3.3 Examination fees shall be paid directly to KNEC through e-citizen platform.
4.0 Identification of examination centres
Heads of institutions wishing to present candidates for the 2025 KCSE examination are hereby informed that:
4.1 Schools with less than five (5) candidates will not be allowed to register candidates for the 2025 KCSE examination as independent examination centres.
Such schools are advised to liaise with their respective Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) to identify an approved KNEC examination centre with more than five (5) candidates for their learners to be registered.
4.2 Examination centres with less than thirty (30) candidates shall be hosted in examination centres to be identified by the SCDEs, in line with the guidelines provided by KNEC on the same.
their sub-county will be hosted for undertaking the examination projects. The candidates will sit for the other examination papers at the County headquarters as was the case in 2024.
4.4 KNEC reserves the right to deregister and/or place an examination centre and its candidates in another centre if deemed necessary, as provided for in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015).
5.0 Registration of new examination centres
5.1 KNEC is in the process of inspecting new institutions that have submitted their applications to be registered as KNEC centres for the 2025 KCSE examination. Feedback on the acceptance/non-acceptance of such requests will be communicated in writing, through the SCDEs’ offices once validation of the requests is complete.
5.2 Assessment Centres to be considered for inspection by KNEC are those that submitted the following to KNEC at the time of application:
5.2.1 A certified copy of a valid Registration Certificate from the County Director of Education; (expired certificates will not be accepted);
5.2.2 A certified Inspection questionnaire from the SCDE’s office, duly filled;
5.2.3 A certified Inspection questionnaire from the Public Health and Sanitation Department, duly filled;
5.2.4 An Application Form, duly filled by the school;
5.2.5 A Bank deposit slip as evidence of payment of Assessment Centre Registration fees of Kes. 5,000.00 for public schools and Kes. 15,000.00 for private schools.
5.3 KNEC will conclude the process of inspection of new Assessment centres by 28th February, 2025. Centres that will not have been inspected by this date will be expected to liaise with their respective SCDEs for identification of approved Assessment centres to host their candidates.
New Examination centres will not be able to access the KNEC registration portal until their request has been approved by KNEC.
6.0 Coding of New Sub-Counties and Distribution Centres
Newly created sub-counties requesting for coding of their sub-counties and re-coding of the Assessment centres within their jurisdiction are expected to submit the following documents to KNEC:
6.1 A copy of the Kenya Gazette notice legalizing creation of the Sub-county;
6.2 List of schools within the new sub-county, indicating their previous codes and the proposed new codes; and
6.3 Location of their Distribution Centre (Container); and
6.4 Details of the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) or Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) office.
7.0 Other important information
7.1 All SCDEs and Heads of Institutions will log into the KNEC registration portal using their usernames and passwords. They are therefore responsible for the use and security of the Passwords issued by KNEC for access to the KNEC portals. It is important to note that:
7.1.1 passwords are confidential and are intended for use by the designated user. Heads of institutions are therefore responsible for the security, custody and access of the passwords for their institutions;
7.1.2 it is the responsibility of Heads of institutions to safeguard their passwords so as to restrict access of the school’s registration and assessment related data by unauthorized persons;
7.1.3 in case of loss or forgotten password, the heads of institution should send an email to KNEC ([email protected]) requesting for assistance or contact the SCDE;
7.2 All new Assessment centres (once approved and uploaded on the website) shall access the registration platform by keying in their Centre Code as the Username and password.
Thereafter, the system will prompt them to change the password from the Centre Number to a password of their choice to maintain confidentiality.
7.3 All Heads of Institutions must confirm their Collection Centres (Distribution Centres/containers) where they will be served from during field administration of the Assessment with their SCDEs.
7.4 Heads of institutions will be informed when to present registration documents for their centres to their respective SCDEs’ offices.
7.5 All KCSE examination centres must be aligned/mapped to their nearest/most accessible Distribution Centre for ease of twice collection of examination materials for each session.
7.6 All Heads of Institutions must confirm their Collection Centres (Distribution Centres/containers) where they will be served from during field administration of the examination with their SCDEs.
8.0 Handling of the registration data
8.1 In line with the provision of Sections 25, 26 and 29 of the Data Protection Act of 2019, all Heads of Institutions are requested to:
8.1.1 ensure that parents/guardians of the KCSE candidates consent to the collection of personal data of their learners;
8.1.2 inform them that the data collected will be solely used for the purpose of conducting the examination and that KNEC will adhere to all the regulations and requirements for data protection.
8.2 The candidates will sign the nominal rolls and other accountability documents after confirming accuracy of the data.
8.3 Heads of institutions should present all registration documents for their centers in their respective SCDEs’ offices by 31st March, 2025 for verification by the SCDEs and KNEC.
There will be NO late registration of candidates once the portal is closed. All the relevant process owners and stakeholders, including parents and candidates must therefore be informed on the need to adhere to the set deadlines.
Dr. David Njengere, MBS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Knec circular on KCSE 2025 candidates registration
THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
KNEC/GEN/EA/EM/REG/KCSE/2025/01
14th February, 2025
To: i) All Sub-County Directors of Education
ii) All Principals of Secondary Schools presenting Candidates for the 2025 KCSE Examination
SUBJECT: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025 KCSE EXAMINATION
The registration of candidates wishing to sit the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination is scheduled to commence on 17th February, 2025 and end on 28th March, 2025.
Registration of candidates will be strictly online. Institutions shall therefore log into the KNEC registration portal www.knec-portal.ac.ke to capture registration details of their candidates using their examination centre login credentials.
In this regard, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) wishes to bring to your attention the following information:
1.0 Registration of Regular Candidates
Heads of institutions will be responsible for registration of their candidates. They have the responsibility of ensuring that:
1.1 all candidates presented for the examination are eligible. Registration of ghost candidates constitute an examination malpractice, which attracts sanctions, including deregistration of the school as a KNEC examination centre,
1.2 all candidates adhere to the laid down regulations on subject entry requirements for grading (subject clusters) as stipulated in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015) and the User Guide for Management of KCSE Examination (2nd Edition 2024) which can be accessed from the KNEC website (www.knec.ac.ke/downloads).
1.3 all eligible candidates upload their correct passport size photographs (300 x 300 pixels). There will be no replacement/changing of photographs once the registration period is over,
1.4 the registration data for all the candidates presented is accurate. This includes:
1.4.1 correct spelling and order of candidates’ names as documented in their KCPE examination certificates;
1.4.2 gender;
1.4.3 year of birth;
1.4.4 citizenship;
1.4.5 entry Codes (F, 2nd or 3rd attempt);
1.4.6 Birth Certificate number;
1.4.7 subjects registered for; and
1.4.8 Category of special needs and disabilities (where app/icab/e), coded as follows:
i) B: for visually impaired candidates who require Braille (totally blind);
ii) LV: for visually impaired candidates who require Large Print papers (Low Vision);
iii) D: for candidates with hearing impairment (Deaf);
iv) P: for candidates with physical impairments.
2.0 Registration of Repeaters and other Private Candidates
2.1 Persons wishing to sit the KCSE examination as private candidates (those who are not enrolled in a regular school setting) shall be registered at Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) offices.
These include repeaters (candidates who have sat the KCSE examination in previous years), wishing to improve on their grade.
The candidates may register as full repeaters (registering for seven or more subjects) or partia/ repeaters (registering for less than seven subjects).
It is mandatory for Heads of Institutions to declare repeaters registering for KCSE Examination in their institutions.
2.2 Any candidate wishing to repeat (full repeaters or partial repeaters) will be allowed to do so, regardless of the year they sat their KCSE examination, as long as there is proof of having registered for KCSE examination previously.
2.3 The candidates will sit their theory and practical papers at their County headquarters in examination centres to be identified by the County Directors of Education, while projects will be administered at sub-county level, in institutions to be identified by the respective SCDEs.
2.4 Candidates will only be allowed access into examination centres upon proof of their eligibility, including use of National Identity card/birth certificate/ passport. It is the responsibility of the candidates to follow up with their respective contact offices to ensure that they:
2.4.1 are duly registered;
2.4.2 confirm accuracy of their registration data; and
2.4.3 get information on the venue(s) for rehearsals and administration of the examination.
2.5 The fees payable will be Kess 7,200.00 and shall be borne by the candidate. The fees shall be paid at the point of registration through E-Citizen, as per the details provided in the KNEC registration platform. Please note that fee payment is mandatory for successful registration.
3.0 Examination Fees
All Education Officers and Heads of institutions are expected to adhere to the Regulations and User Guide for the Management of KCSE examination regarding payment of examination fees, and in particular, note the following:
3.1 The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education (MOE) shall pay examination fees for all candidates in public and private schools except for the following categories of candidates:
3.1.1 candidates who are re-sitting/repeating the examinations;
3.1.2 Non-Citizens (Non Kenyans);
3.1.3 Private candidates registering in the Sub County Private Examination Centres.
3.2 The fees payable will be Kes. 7,200.00 and shall be borne by the candidate.
3.3 Examination fees shall be paid directly to KNEC through e-citizen platform.
4.0 Identification of examination centres
Heads of institutions wishing to present candidates for the 2025 KCSE examination are hereby informed that:
4.1 Schools with less than five (5) candidates will not be allowed to register candidates for the 2025 KCSE examination as independent examination centres.
Such schools are advised to liaise with their respective Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) to identify an approved KNEC examination centre with more than five (5) candidates for their learners to be registered.
4.2 Examination centres with less than thirty (30) candidates shall be hosted in examination centres to be identified by the SCDEs, in line with the guidelines provided by KNEC on the same.
their sub-county will be hosted for undertaking the examination projects. The candidates will sit for the other examination papers at the County headquarters as was the case in 2024.
4.4 KNEC reserves the right to deregister and/or place an examination centre and its candidates in another centre if deemed necessary, as provided for in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015).
5.0 Registration of new examination centres
5.1 KNEC is in the process of inspecting new institutions that have submitted their applications to be registered as KNEC centres for the 2025 KCSE examination. Feedback on the acceptance/non-acceptance of such requests will be communicated in writing, through the SCDEs’ offices once validation of the requests is complete.
5.2 Assessment Centres to be considered for inspection by KNEC are those that submitted the following to KNEC at the time of application:
5.2.1 A certified copy of a valid Registration Certificate from the County Director of Education; (expired certificates will not be accepted);
5.2.2 A certified Inspection questionnaire from the SCDE’s office, duly filled;
5.2.3 A certified Inspection questionnaire from the Public Health and Sanitation Department, duly filled;
5.2.4 An Application Form, duly filled by the school;
5.2.5 A Bank deposit slip as evidence of payment of Assessment Centre Registration fees of Kes. 5,000.00 for public schools and Kes. 15,000.00 for private schools.
5.3 KNEC will conclude the process of inspection of new Assessment centres by 28th February, 2025. Centres that will not have been inspected by this date will be expected to liaise with their respective SCDEs for identification of approved Assessment centres to host their candidates.
New Examination centres will not be able to access the KNEC registration portal until their request has been approved by KNEC.
6.0 Coding of New Sub-Counties and Distribution Centres
Newly created sub-counties requesting for coding of their sub-counties and re-coding of the Assessment centres within their jurisdiction are expected to submit the following documents to KNEC:
6.1 A copy of the Kenya Gazette notice legalizing creation of the Sub-county;
6.2 List of schools within the new sub-county, indicating their previous codes and the proposed new codes; and
6.3 Location of their Distribution Centre (Container); and
6.4 Details of the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) or Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) office.
7.0 Other important information
7.1 All SCDEs and Heads of Institutions will log into the KNEC registration portal using their usernames and passwords. They are therefore responsible for the use and security of the Passwords issued by KNEC for access to the KNEC portals. It is important to note that:
7.1.1 passwords are confidential and are intended for use by the designated user. Heads of institutions are therefore responsible for the security, custody and access of the passwords for their institutions;
7.1.2 it is the responsibility of Heads of institutions to safeguard their passwords so as to restrict access of the school’s registration and assessment related data by unauthorized persons;
7.1.3 in case of loss or forgotten password, the heads of institution should send an email to KNEC ([email protected]) requesting for assistance or contact the SCDE;
7.2 All new Assessment centres (once approved and uploaded on the website) shall access the registration platform by keying in their Centre Code as the Username and password.
Thereafter, the system will prompt them to change the password from the Centre Number to a password of their choice to maintain confidentiality.
7.3 All Heads of Institutions must confirm their Collection Centres (Distribution Centres/containers) where they will be served from during field administration of the Assessment with their SCDEs.
7.4 Heads of institutions will be informed when to present registration documents for their centres to their respective SCDEs’ offices.
7.5 All KCSE examination centres must be aligned/mapped to their nearest/most accessible Distribution Centre for ease of twice collection of examination materials for each session.
7.6 All Heads of Institutions must confirm their Collection Centres (Distribution Centres/containers) where they will be served from during field administration of the examination with their SCDEs.
8.0 Handling of the registration data
8.1 In line with the provision of Sections 25, 26 and 29 of the Data Protection Act of 2019, all Heads of Institutions are requested to:
8.1.1 ensure that parents/guardians of the KCSE candidates consent to the collection of personal data of their learners;
8.1.2 inform them that the data collected will be solely used for the purpose of conducting the examination and that KNEC will adhere to all the regulations and requirements for data protection.
8.2 The candidates will sign the nominal rolls and other accountability documents after confirming accuracy of the data.
8.3 Heads of institutions should present all registration documents for their centers in their respective SCDEs’ offices by 31st March, 2025 for verification by the SCDEs and KNEC.
There will be NO late registration of candidates once the portal is closed. All the relevant process owners and stakeholders, including parents and candidates must therefore be informed on the need to adhere to the set deadlines.
Dr. David Njengere, MBS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
