Students during a learning session at a technical institute./SCREENGRAB
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced a definitive deadline for the final examinations of certain outdated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses.
According to a circular dated May 5, 2025, the last examinations for these non-modular courses will be administered in November 2025.
KNEC CEO Dr. David Njengere emphasized that institutions still offering these phased-out programmes must cease registration of new candidates beyond the November 2025 exams.
The Council has provided ample time for institutions to transition to modern, modular curricula developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
Despite clear guidelines, some institutions have continued to admit new students into expired programmes, exploiting provisions intended for candidates with pending referrals
. Dr. Njengere warned that such practices undermine the integrity of the education system.
THE PHASED-OUT COURSES
The phased-out courses include various technical and business programmes.
Some of these courses will be replaced under the revised curriculum, while others will be completely phased out.
Engineering and technical certificates:
Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (1102) will be replaced by course 1501.
Craft Certificate in Automotive Engineering (1103) will be replaced by 1503.
Craft Certificate in Welding & Fabrication (1106) will be replaced by 1508.
Certificate in Electrical Installation (1201) is replaced by 1504.
Certificate in Electronics Instruments & Fault Diagnosis (1204) moves to 1601.
Engineering diplomas:
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering—Production Option (2101) will be replaced by 2501.
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering—Fabrication Tech. & Metallurgy Option (2102) is replaced by 2502.
Diploma in Building (2305) changes to 2705.
Diploma in Civil Engineering (2307) changes to 2707.
Diploma in Architecture (2709 and 2909) both shift to 2710.
Maritime and nautical studies:
Artisan Certificate Seafarers (0504) is now 0504/1.
Craft Certificate in Nautical Science (1504) becomes 1504/1.
Craft Certificate in Marine Engineering (1505) and Diploma in Marine Engineering (2505) are now 1505/1 and 2505/1 respectively.
Automotive and construction engineering:
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Production Option (2101) will be replaced by course 2501
Diploma in Plant and Work Services Engineering (2102) will be replaced by course 2502
Diploma in Automotive Engineering (2103) will be replaced by course 2503
Diploma in Construction Plant Engineering (2104) will be replaced by course 2504
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Fabrication Option (2106) will be replaced by course 2508
Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering – Airframes and Engines (2107) → 2506
Electrical and electronic engineering:
Diploma in Electronic Engineering (2201) → 2601/2/3
Diploma in Electronics Engineering – Telecommunication Option (2202) will be replaced by course 2602
Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering (2203) will be replaced by course 2603
Diploma in Electrical Engineering – Power Option (2204) will be replaced by course 2601
Diploma in Instrumentation & Control Engineering (2205) will be replaced by course2604
Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering – Avionics (2206) will be replaced by course 2606
ICT, applied sciences, and hospitality:
Diploma in Information Technology (2209) will be replaced by course 2910
Diploma in Applied Biology (2301) will be replaced by course 2914
Diploma in Dietetics Management (2406) will be replaced by course 2916
Craft Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology (1408) will be replaced by course 1904
Craft Certificate in Fishery Technology (1409) will be replaced by course1908
Hospitality and food sciences:
Craft Certificate in Food and Beverage Production (1402) will be replaced by course 1802
Craft Certificate in Laundry & Housekeeping Operations (1406) will be replaced by course 1819
Diploma in Food and Beverage Management (2402) will be replaced by course 2802
Diploma in Accommodation Management (2419) will be replaced by course 2819
Diploma in Housekeeping (2406) will be replaced by course2819
Craft Certificate in Food Processing & Preservation (1403) will be replaced by course 1903
Diploma in Food Science & Technology (2403) will be replaced by course 2913
Diploma in Analytical Chemistry (2411) will be replaced by course 2915
Baking and bakery courses:
Craft Certificate in Baking Technology (1407, 1507) will be replaced by course 1907
Diploma in Bakery Technology (2420) will be replaced by course 2920.
Phased-Out Craft Certificates in Business
Craft Certificate in Secretarial Studies (1801) has been replaced by course 1901.
Craft Certificate in Marketing (1802) is now 1902.
Craft Certificate in Supplies Management (1803) has shifted to 1903.
Craft Certificate in Business Administration (1806) is now offered as 1906.
Craft Certificate in Co-operative Management (1807) becomes 1907.
Craft Certificate in Personnel Management (1808) changes to 1908.
Craft Certificate in Transport Management (1809) is replaced by 1909.
Craft Certificate in Library, Archives and Information Studies (1813) becomes 1913.
Craft Certificate in Investment Management (1924) has been phased out with no replacement.
Phased-Out Business Diplomas
Several diploma-level courses are also being replaced or discontinued:
Diploma in Secretarial Studies (2801) is replaced by 2901.
Diploma in Marketing (2802) becomes 2902.
Diploma in Supplies Management (2803) is now 2903.
Diploma in Business Administration (2806) transitions to 2906.
Diploma in Cooperative Management (2807) is replaced by 2907.
Diploma in Personnel Management (2808) becomes 2908.
Diploma in Transport Management (2809) is now 2909.
Diploma in Legal Secretarial Studies (2810) is also replaced by 2901.
Diploma in Labour Studies and Management (2811) is being phased out with no replacement.
Diploma in Tourism Management (2812) becomes 2912.
Diploma in Information Studies (2813) is now 2913.
Diploma in Entrepreneurship (2814) has been replaced by 2914.
Diploma in Investment Management (2924) is phased out without a replacement.
Higher Diploma Update
The Higher Diploma in Marketing (3802) is also being discontinued due to lack of candidates.
The Council noted that certain programmes were scrapped after failing to attract candidates.
The 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.
Institutions are urged to comply with the new directives to ensure a smooth transition and uphold the standards of technical and vocational education in Kenya
