KNEC Opens Registration for 2026 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA)
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially opened the registration process for candidates who will sit the 2026 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). The announcement marks an important stage in preparations for national assessments under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
In a notice issued on Tuesday, March 3, the council confirmed that the registration window for KJSEA candidates is now active, following the earlier opening of registration for other national examinations.
According to the council, the process began shortly after the registration for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) commenced on February 16. KNEC urged school heads across the country to begin registering their candidates immediately to avoid delays and congestion as the deadline approaches.
Registration Timelines for 2026 National Examinations
Alongside the announcement, KNEC provided the official registration timelines for the 2026 national examinations. School administrators are expected to complete candidate registration within the specified periods.
The timelines released by the council are as follows:
- KPSEA Registration: February 16 to March 16, 2026
- KJSEA Registration: March 2 to March 31, 2026
- KCSE Registration: February 16 to March 31, 2026
The council emphasized that institutions should adhere strictly to these deadlines to ensure that all eligible candidates are successfully registered.
KNEC Warns Against Last-Minute Registration
In its advisory, KNEC cautioned school principals against waiting until the final days of the registration period before submitting candidate details.
“Do not wait for the last-minute rush and register your candidates today,” the council stated, encouraging early compliance with the registration requirements.
The warning is intended to reduce the risk of technical difficulties that often arise when many institutions attempt to access the registration portals simultaneously near the closing date.
Registration to Be Conducted Through the CBA Portal
KNEC confirmed that registration for the 2026 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will be conducted through the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) portal.
The online platform is specifically designed to support assessments conducted under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Through the portal, schools can perform several functions, including downloading assessment materials and uploading scores.
The council clarified that the CBA portal is not used for KCSE registration, as KCSE operates under a different curriculum structure and therefore utilizes a separate KNEC registration system.
How School Heads Can Access the CBA Portal
To begin the KJSEA candidate registration process, school heads are required to access the official CBA portal using their institutional credentials.
The following steps have been outlined by KNEC:
Access the Portal
School heads should visit the official CBA portal through the link: https://cba.knec.ac.ke/
Log In Using Centre Code
The centre code assigned to each institution will be used as both the username and password.
Confirm Data Protection Requirement
Before proceeding, users must confirm the data protection checkbox, then click the “Sign In” button.
Introduction of SMS One-Time Password (OTP) Security
KNEC has introduced an additional layer of security to the system through SMS One-Time Password (OTP) verification.
After signing into the portal, the Head of Institution will be required to update personal credentials, including their name and mobile phone number. Once the information is entered, a one-time secret code will be sent to the registered phone number.
The user must then:
- Enter the OTP code received via SMS
- Verify the code on the portal
- Upon successful verification, the user will be redirected to the “Authorized Applications” dashboard.
From this dashboard, school administrators should select “Registration & SBAs” to begin registering candidates for the 2026 KJSEA.
Parents Expected to Verify Registration via SMS
Following the opening of registration, KNEC is expected to introduce an additional verification mechanism that will allow parents to confirm whether their children have been successfully registered.
According to earlier announcements by the council, an SMS verification system is expected to be introduced in April, enabling parents to check the registration status of their candidates.
The initiative is intended to enhance transparency in the registration process and ensure that all candidates who qualify for the assessment are properly captured in the system.
Importance of Early Registration
With the registration window now open, education stakeholders have emphasized the importance of completing the process within the stipulated timeframe. Early registration not only reduces administrative pressure on schools but also helps prevent potential system congestion.
School heads are therefore encouraged to review candidate records promptly and submit the required information through the CBA portal well before the March 31, 2026 deadline.
The opening of registration for the 2026 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) marks a significant milestone in the administration of national assessments under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum framework.
With the registration process now underway, school administrators are expected to utilize the CBA portal to enroll eligible candidates while adhering strictly to the deadlines provided by KNEC.
By initiating the process early, institutions can ensure that all students eligible for the 2026 KJSEA are successfully registered and prepared for the upcoming national assessment.
Editor’s Picks:
- IPTE 20 Registration for PTCE 2026 Now Open – Deadline 24 March
- IPTE 19 PTCE Results Released: Primary Teacher Certificate Exam Results
- NECTA to Announce Form Four Results 2025 on January 31
- How To Check 2025 Namibia NSSCO and NSSCAS 2025 Exam Results