The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced a new opportunity for diploma teacher trainees who failed previous assessments or missed their July 2026 College-Based Assessments (CBAs) to complete their outstanding examinations.
In a circular addressed to principals of teacher training colleges, the council directed institutions to register eligible candidates for the January/February 2027 supplementary assessment period.
Registration will run from November 9 to December 15, 2026, while the assessments will be conducted between January 18 and February 12, 2027.
KNEC said individual examination timetables would be issued after the registration exercise is completed, allowing candidates to establish when they are expected to sit their respective papers.
“The council shall administer the supplementary assessments to the affected teacher trainees from 18th January to 12th February 2027. Individual assessment timetables will be provided upon completion of the registration exercise,” the circular stated.
Teacher Training Courses Eligible for January 2027 Resits
The supplementary assessment exercise will cover trainees enrolled in several diploma-level teacher education programmes.
These include:
- Diploma in Primary Education (DPTE).
- Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (DSTE).
- Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE).
However, KNEC has clarified that not every trainee will automatically qualify for the supplementary examinations.
Under the resit category, eligibility is limited to candidates who were referred in previous assessments and are required to repeat the affected papers.
The arrangement is intended to give such trainees another opportunity to meet the assessment requirements for their respective teacher education programmes.
Trainees Who Missed July 2026 Assessments Also Eligible
Apart from candidates who failed previous assessments, KNEC has made provisions for trainees who did not sit their July 2026 Year One and Year Two College-Based Assessments.
The affected group includes students undertaking the Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education (DSTE) and the Diploma in Teacher Education for Pre-Primary and Primary (DTE PP&P).
These candidates will be allowed to complete the papers they missed during the July 2026 assessment period.
The provision is particularly important for trainees who have outstanding assessment requirements and need to complete them before progressing with their teacher training programmes.
Eligible candidates are advised to contact their college principals to confirm their registration status and the specific papers they are expected to undertake.
KNEC Announces Assessment Fees for Teacher Trainees
KNEC has set the assessment fee at KSh7,200 per trainee, payable through the eCitizen platform.
Candidates who were referred in practicum will be required to pay an additional KSh5,000.
This means trainees in the practicum referral category should take note of the extra charge when preparing for registration.
The council has also directed candidates to undertake both College-Based Assessments and Summative Assessments in accordance with their respective examination timetables.
Trainees should therefore confirm the assessment components applicable to their courses before making payments and completing registration.
Instructions to Principals of Teacher Training Colleges
KNEC has placed responsibility for coordinating the registration exercise on principals of teacher training colleges.
College administrators are expected to identify eligible trainees, facilitate their registration and ensure that the required documentation reaches the council within the stipulated period.
Among the documents that institutions must submit are signed nominal rolls, relevant medical reports for trainees living with disabilities and proof of assessment fee payment.
The submission deadline for these documents is December 30, 2026.
Principals have also been directed to make the necessary arrangements for candidates requiring assessment facilities outside their institutions.
Colleges With Fewer Than Five Candidates to Use Approved Centres
The council has further clarified that colleges with fewer than five candidates will not be allowed to operate as independent assessment centres.
Instead, such institutions must coordinate registration and assessment arrangements through approved colleges with larger numbers of candidates.
The measure is intended to facilitate the administration of the supplementary assessments and ensure that candidates from institutions with small enrolments can access approved examination centres.
Affected trainees should therefore seek guidance from their college administrations to establish where they will sit their assessments.
Key Dates and Requirements for January/February 2027 Assessments
Teacher trainees preparing for the supplementary assessments should take note of the following important details:
| Assessment information | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | November 9, 2026 |
| Registration closes | December 15, 2026 |
| Assessment period | January 18 – February 12, 2027 |
| Assessment fee | KSh7,200 |
| Additional practicum referral fee | KSh5,000 |
| Payment platform | eCitizen |
| Documents submission deadline | December 30, 2026 |
| Eligible programmes | DPTE, DSTE, DECTE and DTE PP&P, subject to the relevant eligibility category |
What Teacher Trainees Should Do Next
Trainees who failed previous assessments or missed their July 2026 examinations should contact their respective college principals as soon as possible.
They should establish whether they qualify for the supplementary assessment exercise, identify the outstanding papers and confirm the registration and payment procedures.
Candidates should also ensure that their details are correctly captured during registration and that all required payments and documentation are submitted within the deadlines.
With registration closing on December 15, 2026, eligible trainees should avoid waiting until the final days to complete the process.
The January/February 2027 assessment window offers affected teacher trainees an opportunity to clear outstanding examination requirements and continue working towards completing their diploma teacher education programmes.