The Kenyan National Examination Council (KNEC) intensified its efforts to curb exam malpractices nearly a week before the candidates sit the Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Rebecca Leseketeti, a KNEC official, banned the issuance of extra exam papers and barred unauthorised personnel from entering the centres.
"Apart from those administering the examinations, only personnel including the deputy head, cooks, gatekeeper, and a nurse will be allowed in the exam centers," Leseketeti stated in a notice released in mid-November 2022.
All students were also directed to settle by 8 am regardless of when their exams begin. Invigilators were directed to remove a candidate's desk from the exam room if he or she failed to sit a paper for whatever reason.
On exam day, invigilators and other officials should keep time and ensure that no examination papers are opened before the allocated time.
"KCPE and the grade six Kenya Primary School Assessment (KPSEA) examinations will be issued from the container at 6 am and start at 8:25 am while the KCSE examinations will be issued at 7 am and start at 8 am," she stated.
Leseketeti also emphasised that the exam body will not condone any act of exam irregularities.
She urged supervisors and invigilators to properly search the candidates to ensure no unauthorised materials infiltrate the examination room.
Earlier, Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, assured parents and other stakeholders that the government was prepared to conduct the exams.
Speaking on Thursday, November 17, Machogu announced the ministry will adopt the multi-sectoral approach to ensure the national examinations are not compromised.
"We have sent out examination papers to all the 493 examination centers and storage facilities," Machogu updated.
The national exams will start on Monday, November 28, including the grade six Kenya Primary School Assessment (KPSEA) examinations.
