The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced the elimination of 70 outdated programs offered by TVET.
This decision follows a detailed review of the current curriculum, with the goal of aligning training with evolving industry demands and eliminating programs that have seen dwindling interest.
A circular dated May 5, 2025, and addressed to Regional and County TVET Directors, heads of institutions, and Sub-County Directors of Education, detailed KNEC’s plans to either phase out or revise selected business and technical courses. The affected institutions were notified that these programs will no longer receive support beyond November 2025.
KNEC CEO David Njengere stated that the Council has provided institutions with ample time to transition to modern, modular curricula developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). He emphasized that continuing to offer outdated courses is unacceptable and warned that any institutions persisting in doing so will not receive examination support for these programs after the deadline.
Njengere confirmed in the circular that examinations for the phased-out courses will be administered for the last time in November 2025, as detailed in the accompanying appendices. He added that some modular courses would continue to be phased out progressively until November 2027, and after that, no registration of candidates for these programs will be permitted.
Courses Targeted for Elimination
Among the programs scheduled for termination are key technical and science-based qualifications. These include the Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Production Option), Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Fabrication Technology & Metallurgy Option), Automotive Engineering, and Welding & Fabrication. Additional courses on the list are Electrical Installation, Electronics Instruments & Fault Diagnosis, and the Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering.
Science and administrative courses are also affected, including the Diploma in Applied Biology, Craft Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology, Diploma in Food Science & Technology, Diploma in Secretarial Studies, and the Higher Diploma in Marketing.
According to KNEC, some of these programs will be revised and incorporated into a new curriculum, while others will be completely discontinued. Some courses were removed after failing to attract sufficient enrollment, prompting the Council to redirect resources toward more relevant programs.
Despite previous directives, KNEC discovered that certain institutions were registering new candidates under outdated curricula by exploiting provisions meant for repeat candidates. The Council reiterated that the special examination windows were solely intended for students with previous referrals in these courses, not fresh enrollments.
Modular Business Courses Also Affected
A significant portion of the phased-out programs includes modular business courses. For example, the Craft Certificate in Human Resource Management (Code 1908) is being replaced by Code 1926. Under the new schedule, the last intake for Module 1 will be in November 2025, followed by Module 2 in November 2026.
The Diploma in Human Resource Management (Code 2908) will be substituted with Code 2926, with the last modules running through November 2025, 2026, and 2027. Similarly, the Diploma in International Freight Management (Code 2815) will be phased out in favor of Code 2925, within the same transition period.
KNEC’s directive is part of a broader effort to update the TVET system and respond to industry feedback. A senior education officer involved in the reform process remarked that the Council is under pressure to ensure all programs meet labor market needs. “We cannot afford to keep training students for jobs that no longer exist,” he said.
Technical and Engineering Courses to Be Phased Out:
1. Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
2. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Production Option)
3. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Fabrication Technology & Metallurgy Option)
4. Automotive Engineering
5. Welding & Fabrication
6. Electrical Installation
8. Electronics Instruments & Fault Diagnosis
Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering
Science and Technology Courses:
9 Diploma in Applied Biology
10. Craft Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology
11. Diploma in Food Science & Technology
Business and Secretarial Courses:
12. Diploma in Secretarial Studies
13. Higher Diploma in Marketing
Modular Business Courses (Being Replaced by New Codes):
14. Craft Certificate in Human Resource Management (Code 1908)
Replaced by: Code 1926
• Last intake for Module 1: November 2025
• Last intake for Module 2: November 2026
15. Diploma in Human Resource Management (Code 2908)
• Replaced by: Code 2926
Last intakes for:
• Module 1: November 2025
• Module 2: November 2026
• Module 3: November 2027
16. Diploma in International Freight Management (Code 2815)
Replaced by: Code 2925
Last intakes spread from November 2025 to November 2027
As the November 2025 deadline approaches, KNEC has reiterated the importance of compliance, making it clear that no exceptions will be granted beyond the phased-out timelines.
