KCSE Double Collection as KNEC CEO Highlights Key Guidelines.
Stakeholders in Kiambu Education braved the early morning rain in order to ensure the punctual arrival of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) main examinations, which commenced today, at the designated examination centres.
Early in the morning, Ministry of Education representatives were dispatched to different exam collection centres with the purpose of supervising the distribution of examination materials.
After observing the inauguration of the examination container at the offices of the Deputy County Commissioners, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), Dr David Njengere, stated in Kiambu County that this year will have the greatest number of candidates.
A total of 903,260 students are enrolled in the examinations for this year across the nation, and 567 National Exam Containers are in use.
The CEO further stated that the upcoming examination will implement a double collection system for the first time. This entails releasing the morning papers first thing in the morning and collecting the afternoon session papers after the first session papers have been returned to the collection centres.
He acknowledged that early exposure of the second session papers posed the greatest obstacle, particularly for last year’s KCSE, but that the government is now instituting a new rule that will require two collections of the exam papers.
He explained that the centre managers would be required to return the morning scripts to the container following the first session papers. They will then be responsible for collecting the second session paper at 12.30 p.m., in order to administer it at 2:00 p.m.
“We want to make sure that at the school level, the centre manager and the supervisor, coordinate efficiently so that the paper ends immediately, returned and second session papers are collected and taken to the centres in time. Efficiency will be very important”, he emphasized.
Additionally, Dr Njengere stated that they will tackle the issue of the phones, adding that mobile phones will be restricted except to centre managers.
“All other phones should be kept in the centre managers’ offices. We aim to ensure the credibility of our examination and no one should misconstrue and say that the government want to punish secondary school head teachers. The cooks, the security people you have at the gate, no one should have a phone in the school”, he said.
In light of the heavy rainfall currently afflicting the nation, the CEO has urged Centre Managers tasked with transporting and distributing examination papers to exercise extreme caution and avoid any possible risks.
“There have been social media videos that depict individuals attempting to cross rivers.” “If a river separates point A from point B, rather than attempting to save the day, please wait or dial our helpline in an emergency so that we may assist you,” he cautioned.
He provided the toll-free number 0800 724 900, which is operational round every day. In the event of any issues or if a member of the public wishes to report anything pertaining to examinations, they may dial this number.
“Every centre manager has the rules and regulations. I also sent a letter to every candidate sitting this examination and explained to them very clearly our expectations of what they should do to avoid malpractices and the sanctions there in the event of any malpractices”, he emphasized.
He extended his best wishes to all candidates for their upcoming examinations and expressed gratitude to Kiambu County Schools for hosting the examination marking process.
Kiambu County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha stated that sufficient security personnel have been stationed at each examination centre, so there is no cause for concern.
“In the previous years, we have had some arrests in various schools in the area, but this time we have engaged all the stakeholders in the area and there is peace” Nkanatha.
Mr. Simon Wanjohi, the Director of Education for Kiambu County, reported that the county possesses fifteen examination containers and is accommodating over 37,000 KCSE students across 370 examination centres within the county.
He emphasized that thorough preparations have been undertaken to guarantee the seamless progression of examinations and to ensure that no student faces any disadvantage. Furthermore, comprehensive transport arrangements have been put in place, and all centre administrators and security personnel have been briefed on the necessary procedures.
As indicated on the schedule, all KCSE session examination papers will commence at 8:00 a.m., while second session examination papers will commence at 2:00 p.m.
The examination for today commenced with the Chemistry paper, presented in both English and Braille. The date of the final examinations is November 24.