The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has implemented various rigorous measures to safeguard the credibility of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, which are currently underway across the country. CEO David Njengere has given assurances that every effort is being made to prevent exam malpractices. Under strict guidelines, KNEC is keen on upholding the integrity of the national exams by promoting transparency, preventing cheating, and addressing concerns from education stakeholders.
As the KCSE exams hold substantial importance for thousands of students transitioning to higher education and careers, maintaining the credibility of this process is crucial. Njengere has confirmed that KNEC is deeply invested in ensuring that exams are conducted fairly and securely, reiterating that any attempts at malpractice would be met with strict consequences.
Distribution and Supervision: Heightened Measures to Secure Exams
KNEC’s top priority has been to control the distribution and administration of the examination materials. In a recent statement made in Murang’a East while overseeing the distribution of exam papers, Njengere emphasized that all officials involved in the exam process, including invigilators, supervisors, and centre managers, are under strict orders to comply with KNEC’s guidelines to prevent any form of misconduct.
To streamline administration, KNEC has established guidelines on school gate security, requiring gates to remain open as soon as the examination materials arrive on school premises. According to Njengere, this allows monitoring officers easier access to the premises to carry out regular checks. “As soon as the vehicle carrying the examination material enters the school compound, that gate must remain open. This will allow officers monitoring the exams to easily access the exam centres to check if there are any malpractices,” Njengere clarified. This move is intended to deter any potential attempts to breach exam integrity and ensure transparency.
Technology-Free Exam Halls: Mobile Phones Kept Under Lock and Key
KNEC has introduced an additional preventive measure that prohibits the use of mobile phones by all individuals within the examination centres. Phones are to be secured under lock and key, managed by the supervisors, until each session concludes. The Council is acutely aware of the risk that technology poses to the fairness of exams and has therefore instituted this rule to eliminate distractions and remove any possibility of using mobile devices to compromise the integrity of the exams.
Njengere highlighted the importance of this measure, stating, “We want to emphasize that the rules are straightforward this year. All phones at examination centres will be kept under lock and key by supervisors. Compliance with these measures across the country will help us secure the exams.” This step aligns with KNEC’s broader policy of leveraging strict guidelines to deter any form of academic dishonesty and prevent possible leaks.
Cases of Impersonation Addressed Swiftly
While exam security measures have been intensified, KNEC has also encountered incidents of attempted malpractice. During the first day of KCSE exams, two cases of impersonation were reported, with suspects apprehended in Nairobi and Kilifi County. KNEC is working closely with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to ensure that the suspects are brought to justice. The council’s vigilance in addressing such cases underscores the commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the KCSE exams, serving as a deterrent to anyone else who may contemplate similar actions.
Njengere’s response to these incidents was firm. He stated, “We are vigilant across the country, and anyone planning to engage in malpractice can be sure we will pursue and apprehend them.” This zero-tolerance approach aims to reinforce KNEC’s message that exam malpractices will not be tolerated.
Concerns Over Stipends: Teachers’ Unions Call for Increased Compensation
Amid the focus on exam integrity, the issue of compensation for invigilators and supervisors has come to the fore. Teacher unions have called for increased allowances, citing concerns that inadequate pay negatively impacts morale and challenges the principles of fair labour practices in Kenya. In response, Njengere clarified that budgetary limitations have prevented KNEC from raising the stipends for this year’s exams. This follows an increase last year after a five-year period without any adjustments.
“We appreciate the noble work being done by our teachers in manning the national exams, but for the time being, we will stick to the rates increased last year because the budget does not allow us to do any adjustments,” Njengere explained. This response acknowledges the critical role teachers play in the success of the exam process, yet it also highlights the financial constraints that KNEC is currently operating under.
Implications of Stipend Limitations on Teacher Morale and Exam Integrity
Teacher unions argue that insufficient compensation may not only affect morale but could also indirectly impact the credibility of the exams. They point out that when teachers feel undervalued, the motivation to adhere to strict examination protocols may weaken, potentially undermining the effectiveness of KNEC’s preventative measures. The unions assert that fair remuneration for invigilators and supervisors is essential to maintaining their commitment to the rigorous monitoring required during exams.
KNEC’s stance is complicated by budgetary constraints, which Njengere has acknowledged openly. Despite these challenges, the Council hopes that the measures implemented this year will be enough to sustain high levels of exam security. The focus on strict supervision and the maintenance of last year’s rates represents a balancing act between securing the exams and managing limited financial resources.
Moving Forward: Sustaining Trust in Kenya’s Education System
The KCSE exams are crucial not only for the students but also for the broader perception of Kenya’s education system. Ensuring the credibility of these exams fosters trust among students, parents, and educational institutions alike. KNEC’s measures to prevent cheating, alongside an emphasis on transparency and accountability, are instrumental in protecting the reputation of the KCSE exams and, by extension, Kenya’s secondary education credentials.
However, teacher compensation remains a sensitive issue, one that KNEC may have to address further to avoid potential conflict with teachers’ unions. In the future, KNEC might explore possibilities for collaboration with government agencies to secure additional funds or alternative forms of support to provide invigilators and supervisors with fair compensation.
