KNEC Launches New Digital Portal to Transform Grade 3 Assessment Under CBC
KNEC has launched the Monitoring Learner’s Progress (MLP) portal to improve how Grade 3 learners are assessed under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
According to KNEC, the system — which is linked to the Kenya Early Years Assessment (KEYA) — allows schools to register learners, administer assessments and record results. This is in line with the Basic Education Curriculum Framework (BECF) which emphasizes equipping learners with practical skills, knowledge and values to solve real life challenges.
Inclusive registration and digital tools
Schools can access the KEYA portal using their KNEC code as the username and KCPE registration password. Administrators are required to fill an E-readiness Questionnaire and verify learner information such as names, gender, birth certificate number, date of birth, citizenship and disability status.
KNEC says this verification process ensures inclusivity by capturing all learners including those with special needs. The assessment tools are in PDF format and cover subjects such as Integrated Learning Areas, Mathematics, English and Special Needs Education (SNE) Foundation Level.
To make it accessible, KNEC has also provided modified assessment formats such as braille, large print, audio files and Kenyan Sign Language for learners with visual, hearing or physical impairments. Teachers are expected to download, print and administer these assessments as per official guidelines.
Tracking learner progress
Each learner is assigned a unique assessment number either from the Ministry of Education’s National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) or generated by KNEC. This number is a tracking identifier that follows the learner from Grade 3 to Grade 12 and creates a continuous academic profile that can be accessed through the e-Assessment portal.
Learners’ performance is evaluated using rubrics that categorize achievement as Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Approaching Expectations or Below Expectations. Teachers upload results to the KNEC portal via cba.knec.ac.ke and can review and edit outcomes when necessary.
“This digital process enables real time monitoring of learner progress across all schools,” KNEC said.
How to log in
To access the portal, Visit cba.knec.ac.ke:
- Log in with the provided username and password
- Select the relevant grade and learning area
- Enter scores for each learner under every task
- Save the outcomes and repeat for all learners
Ongoing assessment, not one-time exams
KNEC has emphasized that the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) is to assess learners’ continuous development not one-time exams like KCPE.
“CBA is a continuous, systematic process that gathers information from multiple sources to know what learners know, what they still need to learn and what they can do,” KNEC said.
For Grade 3 learners, the school-based assessment gives insight into academic progress without ranking or placement so all learners move to Upper Primary.
In case of learners transferring to another school, the Sub-County Director of Education oversees the transition using official CP2 credentials. Transfers are allowed at Grade 3 but not at Grade 6 since assessments at that level are summative.
KNEC has said the MLP portal is a modern, inclusive and efficient system that supports the CBC vision of nurturing competency-driven learners for the future.
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KNEC Launches New Digital Portal to Transform Grade 3 Assessment Under CBC