KNEC to scrap 70 TVET courses by November 2025 in major curriculum overhaul

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will scrap 70 courses from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions starting November 2025 as part of a major curriculum overhaul to align training with modern industry standards.

In a notice dated May 5, 2025, KNEC said the move follows a review of business and technical syllabi by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) since 2009, which has gradually shifted TVET training from non-modular to modular programmes.

“The Kenya National Examinations Council wishes to inform all heads of TVET institutions, TVET county directors, and sub-county directors of education offering business and technical examinations that TVET curricula and syllabi have been under review by KICD since 2009. In the review, non-modular courses have gradually been replaced by modular TVET courses,” the Council said.

KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere said the last examinations for the non-modular courses will be administered in November 2025.

He emphasised that institutions still offering these phased-out programmes must cease registration of new candidates beyond the November 2025 exams.

Five-year transition window

Njengere noted that institutions were given a five-year transition window to adopt the revised modular curricula. However, some continued to exploit a loophole meant for candidates with pending referrals by admitting fresh students into the expired programmes.

“KNEC has been offering candidates with referrals in the phased-out courses opportunities to register and sit the affected papers. However, some institutions have often used this as a loophole to register fresh candidates in the expired courses,” he said.

He warned that any continued registration of new students in these phased-out courses will not be tolerated, stressing that the final examinations for these programmes will be offered in November 2025, with no further candidate registration beyond that date.

The council noted that courses will be phased out in two stages, including non-modular courses, which will be discontinued by November 2025 and phased-out modular courses, which will be progressively discontinued between November 2025 and November 2027.

Affected programmes

The reforms will affect a wide range of programmes, including engineering, hospitality, information technology, business studies, applied sciences, and maritime training.

Among the key replacements are:

• Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (1102) is now 1501

• Diploma in Civil Engineering (2307) becomes 2707

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• Education
• KNEC
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• Technical and Vocational Education and Training
• KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere
• KNEC to scrap 70 TVET courses by November 2025 in major curriculum overhaul
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• Craft Certificate in Food and Beverage Production (1402) is now 1802

• Diploma in Information Technology (2209) transitions to 2910

• Diploma in Secretarial Studies (2801) changes to 2901

Poor enrolment

However, a few programmes such as the craft certificate in Investment Management (1924) and the Diploma in Labour Studies and Management (2811) have been phased out without replacement.

Njengere also confirmed the discontinuation of the Higher Diploma in Marketing (3802), citing poor enrolment.

“The council noted that certain programmes were scrapped after failing to attract candidates,” the circular reads.

KNEC urged all institutions to fully comply with the new directives to maintain quality and integrity within the TVET education system.

Institutions still offering expired courses have been cautioned to align with the ongoing reforms or risk non-recognition of their programmes.

“This move is part of broader reforms within the TVET sector aimed at aligning training with current industry demands and improving the quality of graduates entering the job market,” Njengere said.