NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has launched a significant digital platform aimed at streamlining certificate verification and combating forgery, alongside inaugurating a new Education Assessment Resource Centre (EARC) to bolster educational standards.
Basic Education PS Julius Bitok confirmed that the app-based verification platform, currently being piloted in collaboration with the Public Service Commission, will dramatically expedite the authentication of academic qualifications.
This innovation is designed to eliminate the prevalence of fraudulent documents by providing a swift and reliable method for confirming genuine credentials. “With this platform, we are saying goodbye to the era of forged certificates. Verification is now fast, secure, and accessible,” PS Bitok declared during the launch.
This digital shift comes as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission intensifies its crackdown on fake academic papers within public service, an initiative that has already led to numerous arrests and ongoing prosecutions.
Addressing the ongoing implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), PS Bitok announced that the Ministry has developed comprehensive online resources and interactive platforms to guide both teachers and parents.
“We have digital programs already in place that teachers and parents can access online to learn more about pathways. I encourage all stakeholders, teachers, parents, and even learners, to take advantage of these programs as soon as today,” he urged.
The PS made these announcements at the KNEC headquarters, Mitihani House, where he also presided over the official launch of the Education Assessment Resource Centre (EARC).
The EARC is designed to significantly enhance national capacity in educational assessment, psychometrics, and competency-based assessment practices.
It will also serve as a hub for providing professional development opportunities for educators and examiners, while promoting standardization and best practices in test development and marking across the country.
PS Bitok highlighted the center’s transformative potential, noting its funding comes from the Kenyan government, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and other key partners. The EARC is also expected to foster crucial research and data-driven assessment.
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“The Centre is a game changer. It will support teachers, examiners and researchers with skills in psychometrics, data analysis, and assessment practices. It aligns perfectly with our vision for quality and inclusive education,” he added.
KNEC CEO David Njengere reiterated that the EARC’s core mission is to promote quality, equity, and inclusion within Kenya’s education system.
“This Centre will professionalize the assessment landscape in Kenya. It will ensure fairness and credibility in how we measure learning outcomes,” Njengere stated.
He confirmed that the center has already welcomed its inaugural cohort of teachers and other educationists, who have commenced their training programs.
