KNEC Launches Nationwide Digital Platform to Eliminate Forged Academic Certificates.
The Government of Kenya has launched a digital verification system for academic certificates issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), with the Public Service Commission (PSC) being the first implementation site. This pilot project was announced during the launch of the Educational Assessment Resource Centre (EARC) at Knec headquarters in Nairobi and is aimed at addressing the growing problem of forged academic documents in the public sector.
Speaking during the launch, Dr Julius Jwan Bitok, Principal Secretary for Basic Education said the platform will enable government institutions and private entities to electronically verify Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and other certificates issued by Knec without physical documentation or in-person visits. “We are starting with a pilot at the Public Service Commission targeting public servants. Next will be the Ministry of Interior before we roll out to the entire government and private sector,” Dr Bitok said.
According to Dr Bitok, the new system will increase transparency, eliminate manual interference and speed up certificate verification. “I’m happy to inform the country that Knec has gone digital on certificate verification, whether it’s KCPE, KCSE or any other papers issued by the council,” he added.
The launch of the EARC also marks a big step in the Competency Based Education (CBE) reforms which focuses on holistic learner assessment. The EARC is meant to support the transition from examination-centric assessments to a more inclusive system that incorporates academic performance, talents, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Dr Bitok said the government is committed to ensuring assessment frameworks are equitable, quality and inclusive. “We want to capture performance in various aspects, not just written exams and that’s why this centre is important. It’s about transforming assessment to enhance education with focus on quality, equity and inclusion,” he said.
Kenya National Examinations Council CEO David Njeng’ere said the EARC will be a capacity building institution for stakeholders across the education assessment ecosystem. “The centre will offer several capacity building and professional development courses in Competency Based Assessments targeting assessment institutions, school leaders, teachers, parents, quality assurance officers and all other persons involved in the assessment ecosystem,” Mr Njeng’ere said.
For the 2025 Grade 9 to senior secondary transition, the Ministry of Education has confirmed that all 1.2 million students have chosen their preferred senior schools and are categorized into Clusters 1 to 4. National assessments in November 2025 will determine the final placement.
To support the three senior secondary pathways—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Arts and Sports Science; and Social Sciences—the government has committed to build 1,600 science laboratories across the country in the next six months. These will be mostly in newly formed and day secondary schools.
Dr Bitok said construction will start in two to three weeks and that most schools are ready to operationalise the pathways model. The government has provided the necessary resources for the transition of all Grade 9 students before the next academic term.
KNEC Launches Nationwide Digital Platform to Eliminate Forged Academic Certificates.