Grade six Pupils to sit for KPSEA Exams from Monday, KNEC Exam Administration Measures.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), part of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), is scheduled from October 28 to October 30.
Security personnel are actively monitoring the administration of KPSEA and KCSE exams, which began on Tuesday morning with elective papers in subjects such as French, German, Sign Language, Arabic, Music, and Home Science.
Theory exams are scheduled to commence on November 4 and will continue until November 22.
This surveillance aims to prevent any possible interference with the examination processes. The government has assembled a multi-agency team to support exam integrity and uphold credibility in the administration of both KPSEA and KCSE.
Unlike previous Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, KPSEA exams will not have security officers in examination rooms to reduce potential malpractices.
Officers managing the exams have been directed to adhere strictly to the established guidelines, and cooperation among center managers and security personnel has been emphasized to create a conducive environment for the learners.
Furthermore, no private vehicles are permitted to transport exam materials from the containers to the centers. With security teams working closely with sub-county education officers, a smooth examination process is anticipated.
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Only authorized individuals, including candidates, center managers, supervisors, security officers, and education officers, are allowed on the exam premises.
Individuals found in possession of exam materials prematurely will be arrested, and extra security measures had been arranged to ensure the secure and timely delivery of examination materials and personnel.
The Ministry of Education reassured parents that the Ministry of Education had taken measures to ensure all registered students could sit for their exams, despite potential issues like illness, natural disasters, or pregnancy.
Overview of Curriculum Changes
Following the phase-out of the 8-4-4 curriculum last year, after the final KCSE under that system, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has taken effect.
The previous 8-4-4 structure involved eight years of primary, four years of secondary, and four years of tertiary education, while the earlier 7-4-2-3 system included seven years of primary, four years of secondary, two years of high school, and three to five years of university education.
The KCPE, which replaced the Certificate of Primary Examinations (CPE) in 1985 under the 7-4-6-3 system, has now evolved with the adoption of the CBC.
Under the CBC, KPSEA candidates aim to achieve a 40 percent mark on national exams, with the remaining 60 percent coming from assessments administered at various grade levels by teachers, a shift from the 8-4-4 focus on national exams alone.
KPSEA Timetable
The Kenya National Examination Council has released a three-day timetable for KPSEA.
On Monday, October 28, candidates will take Mathematics and English, followed by Integrated Science and Kiswahili on Tuesday, October 29. The exams will conclude on Wednesday, October 30, with Creative Arts and Social Studies.
| Date | Subject |
|---|---|
| October 28 | Mathematics, English |
| October 29 | Integrated Science, Kiswahili |
| October 30 | Creative Arts, Social Studies |
New Exam Administration Measures
To enhance exam security and integrity, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) introduced strict measures, including:
- Personalized Exam Papers: Each KCSE paper is unique to a candidate.
- Rotation of Supervisors: Supervisors will rotate across centers.
- Phone Restrictions: Invigilators, center managers, and candidates are banned from using phones during exams.
- Anonymized Answer Scripts: Scripts will be anonymous during grading to minimize identification, ensuring a fair grading process.
KNEC CEO David Njengere noted that these actions are aimed at eliminating malpractice and will be thoroughly explained during sub-county briefings for exam personnel.
The KPSEA exams will be conducted in 32,573 centers, with security officers assigned to manage the distribution and collection of materials only. However, KCSE centers will continue receiving two security officers each to oversee the exams.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that KNEC expanded KCSE distribution facilities by adding 41 new centers, bringing the total to 617. This expansion addresses previous challenges in retrieving exam materials, improving efficiency and security across the country.
The CS further emphasized the government’s stance against cheating, urging candidates and exam officials to strictly follow guidelines, with a stern warning that any individual caught engaging in exam malpractices will face severe consequences.
“The government shall have no mercy on anyone who will be found engaging in the transmission of examination malpractices.” warned Ogamba.
County Preparedness and Exam Integrity Measures
Nakuru County Commissioner, Loyford Kibaara, confirmed that exam preparations were in full gear, emphasizing efforts to ensure the exams’ integrity.
All exam managers across the 480 centers have been briefed on the importance of maintaining high standards of integrity, to guarantee a fair and smooth process.
Mr. Kibaara, during his visits to several centers, noted that the government had implemented a multi-sectoral approach, involving various state departments in the exam administration.
To monitor the examination process, Mr. Kibaara will be making unannounced visits across the centers. He warned that security teams remain vigilant, with strict instructions to counter any cases of interference or cheating.
This year, approximately 46,588 candidates from 11 sub-counties will sit for the KPSEA exams, while 107,537 candidates are expected for the KCSE. The KCSE candidates include 54,204 boys and 53,333 girls.
Mr. Kibaara highlighted that all exam personnel are expected to demonstrate high accountability to prevent exam leakage. He noted that officers were deployed across all 11 sub-counties, with no major logistical challenges anticipated.
The Commissioner cautioned all exam officials, including teachers, against engaging in malpractice, affirming that thorough investigations would follow any reported incidents of misconduct to address any malicious intentions.
Assessment materials have been securely stored
Embu County Director of Education, Kosgei Kipruto, confirmed that all assessment materials have been securely stored in 10 designated examination containers distributed across the county.
The Director noted that 12,843 candidates would undertake the assessment at 489 centers, comprising 384 public and 105 private facilities. He stated that security arrangements were finalized to ensure the safe escort and distribution of examination materials to each center.
In addition to KPSEA, 14,520 candidates in Embu are sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), which started on Monday, October 21, with practical exams.
The county has organized 209 centers for these candidates, with an additional 169 private candidates who will sit for their exams at a central location, Embu Urban Primary School.
Security Measures and Noise Management
County Commissioner Jack Obuo emphasized that sufficient officers have been deployed to ensure the exams run smoothly from start to finish. Each examination container is guarded by armed police officers around the clock to guarantee security.
“We are appealing to motorists to stop hooting and churches to minimize noise emanating from their instruments during this period of examinations,” the director of education said.
In Kiambu County, there are 34,809 candidates from public schools and 16,598 from private schools expected to sit for the exams, as outlined by Simon Wanjohi, the Kiambu County Education Director.
Wanjohi shared that the exams would be conducted in 1,043 registered centers across Kiambu County, with 459 centers in public schools and 584 in private schools.
He added that all examination personnel, such as supervisors and invigilators, have been briefed on security protocols and guidelines for managing any issues during the exams.
Wanjohi noted that CBC is more engaging than the former 8-4-4 system as it nurtures students’ interests and passions, allowing learners to develop their talents to their fullest potential. He emphasized that CBC supports personalized learning, helping students excel in their areas of interest.
Nyeri County
In Nyeri County, a total of 10,317 girls and 10,115 boys have registered for this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, joined by 617 adult private candidates.
These candidates are part of the nationwide count of 965,501 students set to take the exams at 10,750 centers, an increase from last year’s 903,260 candidates.
Additionally, another 1,313,913 Grade Six pupils will participate in the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KEPSEA) from October 28.
In Makueni County, 55,482 students are set to take part in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Primary Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams, as reported by Charles Nyakundi, the County Director of Education.
The KCSE exams will see 30,330 students sitting for the tests. This cohort consists of 15,523 girls and 14,807 boys across Makueni. A structured plan has been set up to ensure effective supervision and invigilation, involving 428 centre managers, 442 supervisors, and 1,646 invigilators.
Teachers and officials ready
This count includes both public and private schools in the county. Nyakundi emphasized that the preparations include adequate security arrangements, with teachers and other officials ready to supervise and support the students.
A rehearsal for KCSE candidates is scheduled for November 1, 2024. KPSEA exams will be administered from October 28 to October 30.
This assessment includes 25,152 students, of whom 11,969 are girls and 13,183 are boys. A rehearsal session for KPSEA candidates will take place on October 25, ensuring they are fully prepared for the test days.
The KPSEA exams will take place in 975 centers throughout Makueni County. To ensure smooth conduct, 960 centre managers, 904 supervisors, and 1,801 invigilators will be overseeing the exams, with coverage extending to both private and public schools.
For both examinations, examination papers will be securely collected from 20 distribution containers placed strategically across the 10 sub-counties in Makueni County.
Security Priority
Nyakundi noted that security has been a priority, with the government providing necessary resources to support a secure and orderly examination environment.
Baringo County Commissioner (CC) Stephen Kutwa announced that over 2,000 security officers have been deployed to safeguard the 2024 National Examinations, which commenced countrywide on Tuesday.
He detailed the county’s preparedness for the exams during a briefing in his Kabarnet office, emphasizing a coordinated effort to secure exam sites.
Kutwa explained that a county-wide, multi-agency team, composed of security and education officers, has received strict orders to enforce the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) regulations across all examination centers.
A total of 15,502 candidates are undertaking the KCSE exams across 198 centers in the county’s seven sub-counties, while 17,905 Grade six KPSEA Exams candidates are seated in 758 stations.
The gender distribution of candidates is balanced, with an equal representation of boys and girls. Additionally, Kutwa noted that three candidates will be completing their exams in prison.
Enhanced Security in Vulnerable Areas
The commissioner reported that extra security personnel have been allocated to examination centers located in areas prone to insecurity.
This reinforcement aims to maintain stability and ensure the exams proceed smoothly across the county. He conveyed optimism, stating that previously troubled regions are currently stable and free from security threats.
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Kutwa also highlighted a policy adjustment, stating that, unlike in previous years, all candidates will sit for their exams within their designated registration centers.
This decision resolves past issues where students were displaced due to security concerns or floods, ensuring that each candidate has a stable location for their assessments.
Grade six Pupils to sit for KPSEA Exams from Monday, KNEC Exam Administration Measures.
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