Plans are in top gear for national examinations scheduled to kick off next week.
Some of the preparations the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has been engaged in the recent weeks include sensitization programs to curb irregularities and malpractices common during the exam period.
KNEC on Wednesday released a list of items prohibited in the exam rooms ahead of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations set to begin on October 23 and October 30 respectively.
In a notice shared on X, formally Twitter, KNEC said electronic gadgets including mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, earphones, body cameras, camera pens and any item with Bluetooth capabilities will not be allowed in the examination rooms.
Handbags, briefcases, backpacks and Kiondos are also prohibited in the examination rooms.
Other banned items include:
- Written or printed material whether or not related to the paper being sat
- Materials written on items of clothing or footwear
- Wristwatches
- Programmable calculators
- Material written on parts of the body that is not declared tattoo
KNEC also listed best exam practices for candidates and other examination officials. The parties are required to:
- Maintain integrity and refrain from sharing exam-related information on social media.
- Be honest and complete examination independently.
- Ensure they report for exams in a timely manner to minimise anxiety.
- Dedicate ample time to study and revise thoroughly for success.
- Use their phone for communication at home but not during exams.
- Trust that KNEC has diligently prepared and secured exams.
pic.twitter.com/0mE7W93Bji— KNEC (@KNECKenya) October 18, 2023
Besides KCSE and KCPE, KNEC will also conduct Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams from October 30.
Exam cheating
The assessments have been marred by irregularities in the past.
A parliamentary committee chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly last week confirmed that there were cases of exam irregularities in last year's examinations.
In a report submitted to the House, the committee on education said the irregularities were due to early exposure of afternoon examination papers, mobile phones seized from some examination centres as well as some students being found with unauthorised written-on materials among others.
The findings of the committee followed months of investigations into last year’s examinations after concerns arose regarding allegations of examination malpractices within the country.
