Results of this year’s Class Eight and Form Four national tests are set to be released earlier compared to 2016, owing to new equipment acquired by the examinations council.
Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) chairman George Magoha said the agency will use its Sh90 million newly acquired scanning machines to process this year’s tests in record time.
EFFECTIVE
He said the council is working towards having the exam results released earlier than last year.
“We are testing these 20 new machines to ensure they work effectively,” Prof Magoha told examination monitors at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in Nairobi on Monday.
Last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results were released on December 1 and those for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) on December 29.
This year’s results will probably be released in November.
LEAKAGE
At the same time, a candidate was arrested on Monday for being in possession of suspected KCSE exam papers, after Knec had assured the public that there will be no leakages.
At the same time, a candidate was arrested on Monday for being in possession of suspected KCSE exam papers, after Knec had assured the public that there will be no leakages.
The student of Kitondo Boys High School in Makueni County was found in possession of Business Studies papers, among others.
The boy had a mobile phone with the suspected KCSE question papers set for November, according to Mbooni East police boss Peter Njeru.
FAKE PAPERS
Upon interrogation, Mr Njeru added, the student revealed that he was part of a WhatsApp group where such materials are available.
Upon interrogation, Mr Njeru added, the student revealed that he was part of a WhatsApp group where such materials are available.
The school appeared to distance itself from the offence, with principal Pascal Musyimi saying the student had been suspended for indiscipline and being in possession of a mobile phone, contrary to the school rules.
“We have taken his phone to Knec headquarters in Nairobi to verify the authenticity of the suspected examination materials,” Mr Njeru said.
However, Knec established that all the papers were fake after scrutinising them.
“The documents in question have no resemblance whatsoever and are not even remotely related to the forthcoming national examinations,” Prof Magoha said in a statement issued yesterday evening.
OFFENCE
He assured candidates that all the papers were secure.
He assured candidates that all the papers were secure.
“We urge hardworking teachers to continue with preparing candidates for the examinations without fear or panic that their safety will be compromised,” he added.
On Monday, Prof Magoha said Knec had not witnessed any case of exam leakage so far.
“Last year, we had 600 cases of fake papers before the examinations started but this time round we have not received any case,” Prof Magoha observed.
CHEATING
On the same day, Prof Magoha asked those who will be involved in the management of examinations to be sincere and truthful to students.
On the same day, Prof Magoha asked those who will be involved in the management of examinations to be sincere and truthful to students.
“As monitors of the examinations, you will be expected to move around and not sit in a specific area as irregularities are carried out.”
Two weeks ago, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the ministry and the council are determined to administer clean examinations devoid of any malpractices.
No cases of cheating were reported in last year’s national exams.
