AI in school assessment: what KNEC reportedly warned

Updated 8 November 2026.

What was reported

In a piece last updated on 25 September 2026, Education News Hub says KNEC cautioned teachers and others against using AI to complete or help learners with SBA tasks. The concern, in the article's words, is "who actually produced the work being assessed". It says this is not a blanket ban on AI use by teachers, and that teachers should follow the KNEC instructions for each exercise.

The article does not name a KNEC circular for the warning or give KNEC's exact wording. It also does not say what counts as AI "assistance" or how it would be detected. We looked at the KNEC website guidelines list on 8 November and did not find a separate AI circular, so treat the warning as reported by one outlet, not confirmed by KNEC.

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What KNEC's own SBA guideline says

KNEC's guideline for the 2026 SBA exercise (reference KNEC/GEN/TD/SE/SBA/GUI/2026/03, dated 14 August 2026, posted on the KNEC site on 26 August) is a two-page document. We read all of it. It says headteachers log in to the CBA portal to get the tools, schools administer the tasks, score them and upload every learner's outcome, and headteachers are "requested to keep all records and evidence generated from the assessments". It does not mention artificial intelligence.

Why it matters for Grade 7 and 8 families

Education News reported on 6 November that Grade 7 and 8 school-based assessments will account for 20 per cent of the placement assessment for the first Grade 10 intake in January 2027, alongside 60 per cent for KJSEA and 20 per cent for KPSEA. The report does not say whether later groups will use the same weights, so check the Ministry circular for your child's year. The point for families is simple: SBA scores count, and they should reflect what the learner can actually do.

What parents can do, and what a task needs

This table is our own advice, not a KNEC rule.

If a child uses an AI tool at home, keep it for practice that is not assessed. Our guide to using AI safely for homework sets out a family-rules approach. Practice with answers, such as the packs in our shop, belongs in that unassessed space.

What it means for teachers

The Hub article says teachers should prepare learners without completing the assessed task for them, supervise the activities, use the prescribed rubrics, record actual performance, keep evidence and upload on time. The malpractice wording in the Hub article, that over-awarding marks or uploading fictitious scores not based on a learner's work may be treated as malpractice with administrative action under the KNEC Act, is attributed there to KNEC's Grade 10 and vocational instructions. We have not seen that text, and the article does not confirm it applies to Grades 3 to 8. Follow the instructions for your own exercise.

Using AI to plan lessons is a different matter from using it on assessed learner work. Our guide to ChatGPT for teachers covers planning.

What we do not know yet

We do not have KNEC's own wording on AI, a definition of "assistance", or a description of how checks work. We also found no date for the next SBA round, because the last upload date for the September exercise was 23 October. We will update this page if KNEC publishes more.

Frequently asked questions

Has KNEC banned AI in Kenyan schools?

Not according to the report we read. It describes a warning against using AI to complete or help with learners' SBA tasks, and says it is not a blanket ban on AI use by teachers.

Can I help my child with an SBA task?

Our advice is to explain and check understanding but not to produce the answer. Ask the teacher what help is allowed for any task done partly at home.

Do Grade 7 and 8 SBA scores count towards Grade 10 placement?

Education News reported on 6 November that they account for 20 per cent for the first Grade 10 intake. Confirm weights for later groups with the Ministry.

When is the next SBA round?

We found no announced date. The September 2026 exercise had a last upload date of 23 October 2026.

What must teachers keep?

KNEC's guideline asks headteachers to keep all records and evidence generated from the assessments.

Sources

• KNEC Warns Teachers Against Using AI to Complete Learners' SBA Tasks (Education News Hub, updated 25 Sep 2026)
• Guidelines and schedule of Sep 2026 Grade 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 SBA (KNEC, 26 Aug 2026)
• KNEC to complete marking KJSEA scripts in three weeks (Education News, 6 Nov 2026)

CBC Edu Kenya reports published statements and is not part of KNEC or the Ministry of Education. The AI warning is as reported by Education News Hub; we did not find KNEC's own wording. Confirm requirements with KNEC and your school.