All candidates registered for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations began the common papers across the 10,755 examination centres on Monday.
The candidature for 2024 is 965,501 and that is an increase from the 899,453 candidates who sat the examination in 2023.
An invigilator distributes KCSE examination papers to candidates at St Kevin's Secondary School on November 4, 2024.
Photo credit: Sammy Lutta| Nation Media Group
The papers begin after two weeks of practical examinations for optional subjects that has been going on since October 22. The last paper will be done on November 22 while marking is expected to be completed before the end of December.
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Learners in Grade 6 also completed their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment last week.
A security officer (right), and an examiner at Moi Girls High School in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County at the start of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education English Paper One, on November 04, 2024.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“The preparations are in place and the materials are already in the containers. The examination officials have been guided through the various innovations introduced in the administration of the exams like the double collection of papers which has eliminated early exposure. We added 41 containers for areas where there were issues of distance to schools,” he said.
An invigilator distributes question papers at Michinda Boys Boarding Secondary School in Elburgon, Nakuru County during the KCSE exams on November 04, 2024.
Photo credit: John Njoroge| Nation Media Group
Dr Njeng’ere said this was done to improve efficiency by reducing the distance between schools and the distribution centres. He will be in Narok County to monitor the progress of the tests. Other top government officials are also expected to be involved across the country.
Government officials oversee the distribution of KCSE examination papers at Kiawara Police Station in Nyeri County on November 4, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi| Nation Media group
He also highlighted measures the government has put in place to curb cheating. The double collection of materials that was introduced last year will be used again. Under the plan, the first session papers are collected at 7 am and administered at 8am while the second session papers are collected at 12:30 pm and administered at 2pm.
Centre managers get a briefing at Kiawara Police Station in Nyeri moments before the opening of the KCSE exams container on November 4, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi| Nation Media Group
This lessens the amount of time the papers are in the hands of examination officials and also reduces chances of malpractice.
An invigilator frisks Form Four candidates at Michinda Boys Boarding School in Elburgon, Nakuru County before the KCSE exams on November 04, 2024.
Photo credit: John Njoroge| Nation Media Group
“This has resulted in an unintended outcome — the candidates now have more time in between the papers to relax. The aim of the examination is not to punish them and put them under undue pressure,” Dr Njeng’ere said.
Ainabkoi sub-County Commissioner Edward Lelgo second (left), and the sub-County's Direction of Education Simon Kemei open a container with Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations at Kapsoya in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on November 04, 2024.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
To deal with the challenge of sharing examination content on mobile phones, the CEO explained that all examination officials will surrender their phones to the centre supervisor who will keep them in a secure lockable desk during the time of the examination.
Kakamega county director of education Hellen Nyangau handing KCSE 2024 English paper one exams to secondary schools centre managers at the container outside the Kakamega county commissioners office at 7.00 am am on 4th November 2024 2024.IsaacWale/Nation
Photo credit: IsaacWale| Nation Media Group
Dr Njeng’ere said, so far, Knec has not experienced logistical challenges that come with heavy rains during the exam period. However, he said they are prepared in case of changes.
Early morning distribution of KCSE exam papers in Homa Bay.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor| Nation Media Group
Previously, Knec worked with the Communications Authority and telcos to shut down social media platforms that claim to sell leaked examination content.
