No room for KCSE exam malpractices this year, Director tells school heads

Matungulu SCDE Lilian Gitahi and branch KESSHA Chairperson David Muange during the briefing.

Matungulu Sub County Director of Education (SCDE), Lilian Gitahi, has assured that this year’s KCSE exams will be among the most secure yet, thanks to stringent new measures implemented by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).

Speaking during a high-level briefing to secondary school teachers on preparation for upcoming KCSE, Gitahi emphasized that the newly introduced protocols will leave no room for examination malpractice or irregularities.

Among the standout measures is the personalization of KCSE exam papers, which is set to revolutionize the security of the examination process.

“Each exam paper will carry the name of the candidate, eliminating any chances of extra or duplicated papers,” Gitari explained.

This development is expected to quash the widespread cheating tactics used in previous years, where unauthorized individuals had easier access to exam papers.

Gitari outlined the specific features of the new system; the top section of the exam paper will display the candidate’s printed name, with a space for the candidate’s signature and date.

Below this, the actual KCSE questions will be linked to a random candidate number, further securing the process. After the exam, the name section will be detached and sent along with the answer scripts, making it impossible for candidates to tamper with the papers during or after the exam.

“In addition to personalized papers, there will be no extra copies, eliminating the possibility of photocopying,” Gitari added.

The development is part of KNEC’s broader crackdown on exam irregularities, ensuring a fair playing field for all candidates.

The Director also confirmed that 46 exam centers across the sub-county will host the exams.

She stressed that a multi-agency approach, involving stakeholders from various sectors, will closely monitor the process to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“We are working hand-in-hand with security teams, school management, and other stakeholders to maintain the integrity of the exams. Regular checks will be conducted in all centers,” she noted.

In a major policy shift, Gitari also announced that there will be no more cases of “under protest” as seen in past years.

Previously, candidates placed in the wrong subjects could pay a fee of Ksh3,000 to sit for the exams they had actually registered for, but this practice has been scrapped to enhance fairness and organization.

Additionally, centre managers and teachers have been reminded of strict procedures. Teachers must sign the dispatch lists, and exam papers should be opened just five minutes before the exam starts.

Each candidate will also sign a control sheet, which tracks their attendance and ensures accountability. Candidates absent from their centers will be marked “AB,” while those in other locations will be noted as “hardship cases.”

With the new rules in place, Gitahi expressed confidence that the 2024 KCSE exams will be a model of transparency and integrity.

By Agnes Orang’o

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