KNEC Issues New Rules for Grade 10 Subject Registration Under CBC

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released new guidelines that all senior schools must follow while registering Grade 10 learners for subjects under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

In a circular dated July 27, KNEC said schools must register learners based on their confirmed subject choices and career pathway selections.

The council stressed that these choices will determine learner placement, classroom instruction and future assessments.

“Subject choices registered will form the basis for learner placement, instruction, and subsequent assessment processes; therefore, schools must ensure accuracy and compliance with the prescribed guidelines,” the KNEC circular states.

KNEC directed schools to verify every learner’s subject combination before completing the registration process.

The council said schools must ensure all selected subjects match the approved Senior School curriculum and the career pathways available in each institution.

According to the guidelines, registration should only proceed after learners have confirmed their subject combinations.

Learners Cannot Combine General Science With Pure Sciences

One of the major changes affects learners choosing science subjects.

KNEC ruled that learners who register for General Science cannot also take Biology, Physics or Chemistry.

“A learner who registers for General Science shall not be eligible to register for either Biology, Physics or Chemistry,” the council said.

Schools have therefore been instructed to ensure learners choose either the General Science track or the Pure Sciences track before registration is finalised.

Also Read:Ministry of Education Directs Schools to End Commercial Exams with Immediate Effect

KNEC Explains Mathematics Requirements

The council also outlined mathematics requirements depending on a learner’s chosen pathway.

Learners taking two or three Pure Science subjects-Biology, Physics and Chemistry-must register for Core Mathematics.

However, learners pursuing Applied Sciences or the Technical and Engineering track under the STEM pathway can choose either Core Mathematics or Essential Mathematics.

The same option applies to learners in the Social Sciences and Arts and Sports pathways, who may register for either of the two mathematics subjects.

Also Read:What Parents and Teachers Need to Know as KNEC Releases Grade 10 SBA Schedule

Only One Religious Education Subject Allowed

KNEC also restricted learners to only one religious education subject.

Under the new rules, learners can register for only one of the following:

Christian Religious Education (CRE)
Islamic Religious Education (IRE)
Hindu Religious Education (HRE)

Schools have been asked to ensure no learner is registered for more than one religious education subject.

Kenya Sign Language Restricted to Deaf Learners

The council further clarified that Kenya Sign Language (KSL) will only be offered to learners who are deaf.

Learners registered for KSL will not be allowed to take Kiswahili or Fasihi ya Kiswahili.

At the same time, hearing learners cannot register for KSL but may take Sign Language Skills instead.

“Hearing learners cannot take KSL but can take Sign Language Skills,” the circular states.

KNEC reminded schools that the decisions made during the ongoing registration exercise will influence teaching, learning and assessment throughout senior school.

The council urged institutions to carefully verify every learner’s subject selection to ensure it complies with the approved curriculum and available career pathways.

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