889,000 start KCPE exam Tuesday

Kakamega Primary School’s KCPE candidates revise ahead of the final examination that begins November 4, 2014. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE |

What you need to know:

  • Dr Kivilu allayed fears of irregularities in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education test, saying the council had improved security to minimise, if not eliminate, cases of cheating.
  • Several cases of cheating have been reported in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams.

A record 889,107 Standard Eight candidates will start their final examinations Tuesday.

Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) chief executive officer Joseph Kivilu said his team was ready for the exam, to be held in 24,278 centres.
“All exam papers have been sent to their respective centres,” he said.

While exam materials to most areas were transported without any hitch, insecure areas, including Turkana, required special arrangements, he said.

“We have engaged more security officers to protect both exam materials and pupils, and ensure the four-day exercise goes on smoothly,” said the newly appointed Knec boss.

Dr Kivilu allayed fears of irregularities in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education test, saying the council had improved security to minimise, if not eliminate, cases of cheating.

TECHNOLOGY

“We know that fraudsters are using new technology, including WhatsApp messaging, to pass questions to students before they sit the actual papers.

The council has put in place tighter security measures to ensure exam malpractices don’t occur,” he said.

He, however, refused to divulge the details pertaining to technological interventions Knec has put in place to deal with cheating.

Several cases of cheating have been reported in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams.

The latest one was reported by the Nation last week. A Mombasa principal was charged in court after he was allegedly found with three exam papers that had not been done by candidates.

Cheating has also been reported in Mumias, Migori, Nyamira and Homa Bay counties.

Dr Kivilu has identified Garissa, Kisii, Oyugis, Nyamira, Rongo and Eastleigh in Nairobi as areas notorious for cheating.

The candidates will begin with rehearsals today before writing the exam from Tuesday to Thursday. Nine papers in seven subjects will be tested.