Ministry of Education Warns Principals Over Failure to Register Candidates for National Examinations.
The Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, issued a stern warning to school principals who fail to register students for national exams.
Dr. Kipsang described such actions as examination irregularities with severe legal consequences. He stressed the government’s commitment to providing all students access to examinations, with the state fully covering examination fees.
While supervising the opening of an exam container at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Kikuyu, Dr. Kipsang explained that there was no justification for non-registration of any student.
He shared that a school in Eldoret faced legal action for this violation, and he warned that similar measures would apply across the country if such cases continued.
Principals’ Responsibility and Legal Implications
Dr. Kipsang reminded principals of their duty to ensure all eligible students are registered, clarifying that financial constraints no longer serve as a valid excuse.
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He cited the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Act, noting that failure to register students is a breach of this legislation, which could lead to legal repercussions for responsible parties.
Highlighting the issue of exam integrity, Dr. Kipsang expressed concern over cases of students caught with mobile phones during exams.
He pointed out that some students attempt to seek assistance from adults within the school system rather than their peers.
This year, he reported a minimum of 11 attempted cheating cases across the country, adding that any breach in exam protocols signifies a trust deficit within the education system.
The PS urged principals and teachers to uphold integrity and serve as role models for students. He warned teachers involved in cheating incidents that they risk termination of their careers.
He thanked the teachers, security teams, and multi-agency personnel for their collaborative efforts in maintaining examination integrity and ensuring smooth operations during the exams.
Regional Cooperation and Examination Management Enhancements
Dr. Kipsang acknowledged Kiambu County and the wider Central Kenya region for their support, noting that no significant incidents of examination malpractice had been reported in the area.
He also commended the progress in exam management, noting a shift towards school-led oversight with reduced reliance on heavy security measures.
He cited the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KAPSEA) as an example, where teachers independently managed the process, with police only assisting in the safe transport of exam materials.
Dr. Kipsang highlighted an increase in the number of girls taking exams in hospitals due to pregnancy, calling on communities to create protective environments to prevent such situations.
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He reminded parents and teachers of their essential role in guiding and counseling youth, particularly young girls, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding their futures.
This year, 965,501 candidates are sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams across the country.
The examination period began on October 22 and is scheduled to conclude on November 22. Dr. Kipsang affirmed the government’s dedication to creating an exam environment that enables students to perform to their best potential.
Ministry of Education Warns Principals Over Failure to Register Candidates for National Examinations
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