The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced a one-week online training programme aimed at equipping teachers with item writing skills, as the country continues to implement competency-based learning across all levels of education.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, KNEC said the training will run from April 20, 2026, targeting classroom teachers and teacher trainers seeking to enhance their ability to develop quality assessment tools. Applications for the programme will close on April 13, 2026.
The council noted that the demand for well-structured, learner-centred assessment items has increased under the competency-based curriculum, making the training timely for educators across primary, junior and senior school levels.
Participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded certification and may be considered for engagement as contracted professionals by KNEC. This presents an opportunity for teachers to earn additional income while contributing to the development of national examinations.
“Participants who successfully complete the training will be certified and may, from time to time, be engaged by KNEC as contracted professionals as need arises,” the council stated.
To qualify, applicants must be practising teachers or trainers with at least three years of teaching experience. They must also be registered with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and demonstrate familiarity with curriculum designs relevant to their subject areas.
The programme is open to teachers in primary schools, junior schools and senior schools handling Grade 10, as well as those in institutions offering stage-based and teacher training programmes, including Special Needs Education.
Applicants are also required to hold appropriate academic and professional qualifications and must be formally recommended by their head of institution. KNEC emphasised that this requirement ensures only credible and active educators are considered.
The council further clarified that the training is strictly for new applicants, advising those who have previously undergone item writing training not to apply in order to create opportunities for fresh participants.
Applications are to be submitted online through the official KNEC portal before the April 13 deadline.
The programme comes at a time when the government continues to expand the teaching workforce, with thousands of newly recruited teachers expected to benefit from improved assessment skills.
KNEC has urged eligible teachers to apply early and take advantage of the opportunity to build professional capacity while supporting the country’s education system.
 has announced a one-week online training programme aimed at equipping teachers with item writing skills, as the country continues to implement competency-based learning across all levels of education.){kind=link}