Kenya’s education sector has received a major boost as the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), through its Educational Assessment Resource Centre (EARC), officially rolled out a free online self-paced training portal for Senior School teachers on Competency Based Assessment (CBA). The initiative comes at a critical time when the country is transitioning fully to the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), and teachers are seeking practical, accessible ways to upgrade their assessment skills.
The new platform is designed specifically to empower Senior School teachers with the knowledge and tools required to effectively implement Competency Based Assessment, a core pillar of the CBC. Unlike traditional assessment systems that emphasize rote memorization and final exams, CBA focuses on learners’ skills, values, attitudes, and real-world application of knowledge. This shift demands a corresponding change in how teachers design, administer, and evaluate assessments—hence the importance of this training.
Why the KNEC Online CBA Training Matters
For many teachers, adapting to CBC assessment requirements has been challenging due to limited training opportunities, cost constraints, and time limitations. KNEC’s EARC has addressed these challenges by introducing an online, self-paced portal that is currently free to access. This means teachers can learn at their own convenience, without the pressure of deadlines or travel expenses.
The training aims to ensure that Senior School teachers:
- Understand the principles of Competency Based Assessment
- Acquire practical skills in learner-centered assessment
- Align assessment methods with CBC learning outcomes
- Improve the quality, fairness, and consistency of assessments
By offering this program online, KNEC ensures that teachers across the country—whether in urban centers or remote areas—can benefit equally.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Access the KNEC CBA Portal
KNEC has made the registration and course access process simple and user-friendly. Teachers can follow these clear steps to get started:
- Visit the official platform
Access the portal by visiting: https://cbalms.knec.ac.ke/ - Click on “Sign Up”
New users are required to create an account before accessing the courses. - Complete your profile
Fill in all compulsory fields marked with an asterisk (*). Ensure that your details are accurate, then click Register. - Go to “My Courses”
Once logged in, navigate to the My Courses section and click on Course Catalog. - Select the Senior School course
From the available options, choose the Senior School course relevant to your teaching area. - Click the “Subscribe” button
This enrolls you into the selected course at no cost. - Select the “Learning Path”
The learning path guides you through the course structure in the correct sequence. - Click “Introduction” to begin
Start the course by opening the introduction unit and proceed step by step.
KNEC emphasizes that teachers must complete one unit before proceeding to the next, ensuring structured learning and mastery of content.
What Teachers Can Expect From the Training
The online CBA training is structured to be practical, engaging, and aligned with national assessment standards. Teachers can expect modules that explain:
- The philosophy behind Competency Based Assessment
- Designing assessment tools aligned to competencies
- Continuous assessment strategies
- Recording, tracking, and reporting learner progress
- Ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and validity in assessments
Because the course is self-paced, teachers can revisit modules whenever they need clarification, making it an excellent long-term reference resource.
A Major Step Toward Quality Education
Education stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, noting that assessment is one of the most critical aspects of CBC implementation. Without well-trained teachers, even the best curriculum can fail to deliver its intended outcomes. By investing in teacher capacity building, KNEC is strengthening the foundation of Kenya’s education reforms.
The fact that access to the portal is currently free further demonstrates KNEC’s commitment to inclusive and equitable professional development. Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts.
How This Training Impacts Learners
Ultimately, the biggest beneficiaries of this initiative are learners. When teachers are confident in Competency Based Assessment, students receive:
- More meaningful feedback
- Fair and transparent evaluation
- Recognition of diverse talents and abilities
- Support for holistic growth beyond academics
This aligns perfectly with the goals of CBC, which seeks to nurture well-rounded, skilled, and innovative citizens.
Final Thoughts
The launch of the KNEC EARC online training portal for Senior School teachers marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s education journey. It removes barriers to professional development and equips teachers with essential CBA skills needed for CBC success.
Senior School teachers are strongly encouraged to register, subscribe, and begin the course as soon as possible. With structured learning paths, practical content, and zero cost, this training is an opportunity no educator should ignore.
For updates and official communication, teachers can also follow KNEC on its social media platforms or visit the official website at www.knec.ac.ke.
As Kenya continues to reform its education system, initiatives like this prove that teacher empowerment remains at the heart of sustainable, quality education.
