Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i has implemented new changes to help curb discrepancies during exam marking.
Dr Matiang’i directed the Kenya National Examination Council to put in place measures to enhance the credibility of exams in the country.
The new changes were enforced to ensure that interaction between exam markers and the scripts will be reduced.
[caption caption="Education CS Dr Matiang'i briefing journalists "]
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KNEC Chairman George Magoha revealed that marking centres would be fitted with security cameras to keep out strangers who may want to compromise results. He also stated that the examiners would be strictly monitored.
Marking centers have also been consolidated to 10, all based in Nairobi, a departure from the past when there were numerous marking centres scattered across the country.
This measure is intended to keep a close eye on markers and ensure a lean team will be deployed to mark the scripts of the 1,003,556 candidates who finish their KCPE exams on Thursday.
Speaking in Nyamira County on Wednesday, Prof Magoha ascertained that the results would be transmitted in real time to the command centre.
He added that multiple choice answer sheets will strictly be marked at Mitihani House in Nairobi, using the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machines.
“After every day’s marking exercise, the results will be streamed immediately to the command centre where they will be automatically incorporated into the ones that will have been compiled by the OMR machines,” Prof Magoha stated.
Besides curbing cheating, officials are also optimistic on the improved efficiency in marking. Swift relaying of results will ensure that they are released seven days earlier than in the past.
KNEC has procured 20 OMR machines that are expected to expedite the process of marking KCPE papers and reduce the workforce by up to 50 percent.
[caption caption="Candidates sitting for exams"]
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