The Kenya National Examinations has once again cracked the whip on unscrupulous principals in a move to bar them from engaging in examinations malpractice.
The exam body has directed principals to keep exam papers and materials in classrooms where candidates can see them in a new move to curb cheating. The body added that exam materials should be taken directly to the classrooms under the watchful eye of the Kenya police.
Principals were previously allowed to keep the papers in a safe location within their schools. Students will sit two exam papers in a day. The new directive requires both papers taken to the classroom.
“Ensure the materials for the second exam remain on the same table in full view of the candidates while the exam for the first session is in progress,” the Knec circular reads.
Knec has also directed that soon after the exams are completed, papers are to be returned to the container storage facilities immediately.
“Soon after the exams are completed, we expect the papers to be returned to the containers within the shortest time possible,” said Knec chairman George Magoha.
If there’s any delay in doing so, the center manager and supervisor will be required to give an explanation”.
Yesterday, KNEC okayed the use of mobile phones within the school premises by head teachers but barred them from using them in the examination rooms. Invigilators and Supervisors have however been banned from using the mobile gadgets within the examination centers.
KCPE is set to begin on October 30, a day after the rehearsals while KCSE theory examination will start on November 5.
Form Four candidate taking German, French Arabic and Home Science are sitting the practicals examination which end on November 1.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier promised that all candidates will join respective secondary schools.
Some 1.6 million candidates are expected to sit their national exams this year.
This year’s exams will be done under strict watch with the government warning teachers and parents against aiding cheating.
The Education ministry had earlier lowered college entry grades for teachers to D+, a move that has been defended by Education CS, Amina Mohammed.
Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed had earlier defended the government’s decision to lower grades for students enrolling to teacher training colleges.
Ms Mohamed explained on Tuesday that the decision was based on the affirmative action law that is covered in the Constitution.
The CS noted that regional differences make it impossible to gauge all students the same way, hence the need for equity, which she said will not affect the quality of education.
Therefore, she said, learners in some regions will require D+s and others C-s for certificate and diploma courses.