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Govt bans use of mathematical sets, clip boards during KCSE and KCPE


The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) has banned the use of mathematical sets and clip boards in the examination rooms.

instead, students will be required to carry their geometrical instruments and writing materials in clear ‘see-through’ bags, according to new guidelines announced on Thursday.

“Also banned is the use mathematical tables and calculators during examination papers for which they are not required. The use of mobile phones is prohibited for all those involved in the exercise, ” a statement released by three cabinet secretaries said.

The three are Fred Matiang’i (Education), Joe Mucheru (ICT) and Joseph Nkaissery (Interior).

Head teachers will be required to pick examination materials from containers and return the scripts at the end of exams daily.

COMMAND CENTERS

The Council has also established command, control and call centers to ensure enhanced coordination of the administration of examinations.

Members of the public can report any concerns on the conduct of the examination through telephone number, 0800724900.

According to the joint team, all supervisors and invigilators have been vetted to ensure the examination is administered by persons of high integrity.

The three-day workshop brought together County Commissioners, Regional Coordinators, County Police Commanders, Teachers Service Commission directors and County Education directors.

The government announced that it would use technology to monitor national examination storage and distribution systems to control malpractices.

The three CSs said they had put in place a multi-sectoral approach to restore integrity in the KCSE and KCPE exams.

They spoke at the Kenya School of Adventure, Meru during the ongoing workshop for Kenya National Examination Council officers, education officials and security officers from across the country.

The cabinet secretaries were accompanied by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, KNEC chairman George Magoha, Education PS Belio Kipsang and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho.

CCTV CAMERAS

Mr Mucheru said they will employ intensive information, communication technologies including use of CCTV cameras.

“Technology is vital in the management of the education sector. The systems will ensure efficiency during distribution, storage and even marking of the national examinations. We expect the technologies to help shorten the marking period,” Mr Mucheru said.

Interior CS said the collaboration between the three ministries would seal loopholes that have led to cheating in the past.

“This forum is part of the efforts to finalise plans of our collaboration in the handling of exams. We are keen on restoring the integrity of our national examinations, ” Mr Nkaissery said.

Dr Matiang’i said the multi-agency team had put in place a seamless and effective system to deliver a clean exam.

“We are committed and determined to deliver a clean exam. We want to assure Kenyans that this year’s exam will be free of malpractices. We are united in delivering a credible examination,” Dr Matiang’i said.

He said the review of the role of head teachers to make them centre managers would increase accountability in the exams.

Under the KNEC guidelines, all examination centers must start issuing exam papers at 8am to prevent leakage. Usage of mobile phones at the precincts of an examination center has also been prohibited.

Knec Chairman George Magoha called on Kenyans to help in strengthening the systems that the government had put in place.

“The KCSE has already started and we assure Kenyans that the exam hasn’t leaked and it will not leak,” Prof Magoha.

The Ministry of education has directed that all schools should close by Friday) while only teachers involved in the administration of practical subjects and boarding facilities will be allowed in the examination centers.