The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued new directives to guide the administration of the 2025 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
The directives were issued ahead of the commencement of the exam set to kick off on Monday, October 27. In a statement released on October 26, KNEC directed that containers holding examination papers be opened at 6 a.m. for KPSEA and KJSEA and 7 a.m. for KCSE, which enters its second week this week.
Additionally, all mobile phones belonging to personnel within examination centres must be locked away, with the key kept securely by the supervisor.
All centre managers must have an approved list of authorised personnel present at the centre, each of whom must carry a national identification card for verification. Supervisors administering KPSEA and KJSEA were further cautioned to ensure that they open the correct examination packet for the appropriate session.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Njengere said over 3.4 million candidates will sit for this year’s KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE exams. He assured the candidates of the council’s preparedness to ensure a smooth and successful examination period.
Education Ministry releases 2026 school calendar; see all opening, closing dates
“As the administration of the Grade 6 KPSEA and Grade 9 KJSEA summative assessments begin tomorrow, I want to wish all the candidates well,” Dr. Njengere said.
“Your teachers have prepared you well for the summative assessment, and you already have 40 per cent of the marks through formative assessments. So, there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
Njegere warned candidates, teachers, and examination officials against engaging in any form of malpractice, citing last year’s cancellation of results for 711 KCSE candidates.
“Last year, KCSE examination results for 711 candidates were cancelled due to malpractice. It was a painful decision, but it had to be done in the interest of enforcing integrity in our examinations and assessments,” he said.
The KPSEA is set to take place from October 27 to October 30, while the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) which targets learners with special needs at the intermediate level will run from October 27 to October 31.
At the same time, KJSEA and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will be conducted over nine days, starting on October 27 and concluding on November 6. KCSE, which is currently in its second week will conclude on November 21, 2025.
