Matiang’i issues more measures to keep exams credible
Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i awards a Maseno School student for being the best performer, during a function on July 6, 2017. He said only candidates will be in schools during the exams. PHOTO | ELIZABETH OJINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- He said no other teacher will be allowed in the examination area, save for tutors involved in practical subjects.
- Dr Matiang’i said Knec plans to recruit more examiners to match the increased candidature this year.
The Ministry of Education has come up with additional measures to maintain the credibility and management of this year’s national examinations.
In the raft of measures, the ministry says it hopes to build on the success of last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
CHEATING
Last year, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i increased surveillance and announced measures, which saw drastic reduction in cases of cheating during the examinations.
And unlike previous years, the 2016 exams results were released earlier, so that students could report to schools early enough, as per the new calendar.
“These measures included a re-organisation of the academic calendar, the appointment of head teachers as centre managers and creation of an exclusive examinations season in Third Term,” Dr Matiang’i said.
EXAMS
The CS said schools will close by October 29, and it is only candidates who will be in schools during the exams.
“Deputy head teachers can also remain in school to assist their head teachers who act as centre managers.
"However, where a school has more than one deputy, only one of the deputies can be in the school at any given time,” Dr Matiang’i said.
KNEC
He said no other teacher will be allowed in the examination area, save for tutors involved in practical subjects and who will only be present to prepare for the practicals and when the exam is taking place.
The CS added that for schools with several science, music, arts and French teachers, only one will remain at the institution during the examination.
He warned Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) examiners and other council officials, against going around schools “purporting to coach candidates on how to answer questions”.
EXAMINERS
Dr Matiang’i further said the ministry has procured 67 additional containers to be used in the new sub-counties and other vast areas whose terrain called for additional containers.
This will ensure the ministry seamlessly distributes examination materials.
He said Knec plans to recruit more examiners to match the increased candidature this year.
CANDIDATES
A total of 1,003,556 candidates were registered for the KCPE while 615,773 were registered to sit the KCSE.
There will be 28,566 examination centres for KCPE and 9,350 for KCSE.
There are also some 6,037 private KCPE and 7,001 private KCSE candidates who have registered for this year’s examinations.
Knec has also trained new examiners in preparation for the marking activities of both examinations.
