School heads put on notice over exam irregularities

The government has warned school heads and boards of management that they will bear full responsibility in case of examination irregularities in their institutions.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, speaking during Kigumo sub county Education Day, said that any school hit by malpractice will see the head teacher sent home.

In consultation with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), he said his ministry will send to Parliament draft legislation, which will contain new guidelines on examination management.

"Restructuring the board and reorganizing of the management is the first step in ensuring the integrity the tests and measurement system of our country,” he said.

The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec), which was dissolved on Thursday, has been on the spot over massive leakage during the 2015 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination.

Nine officials including the CEO Joseph Kivilu have been ordered to record a statement explaining why action should not be taken against them.

He noted that they will vet all the council's senior management with support from relevant security agencies so as to have a competent team.

"All we want is a group of people who can be trusted to deliver,” he said.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Secretary-General Akello Misori hailed the government's move to disband the exam council saying, as a union, they were happy the CS was restoring sanity in the education system.

"Some schools pay up to get results that they do not deserve, it is up to the new board to ensure that the council's activities are above board.”