KNEC’s New Proposed Exam Procedures to Enhance Integrity
A National Assembly committee that investigated allegations of irregularities in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) has determined that the administration of the examinations had flaws. However, the results did not significantly deviate from previous editions.
The committee’s report points out that the guidelines provided by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) were not consistently followed. It also highlights the ineffectiveness of these rules in preventing exam malpractice due to emerging trends, particularly technological advancements, as the existing regulations are outdated.
The report recommends revising penalties for cheating to deter potential offenders. MPs also criticized the examination marking process, raising concerns about the integrity of examiners, marking schemes, the allocation of marks, and the moderation process. They expressed doubts about the transparency of activities in the marking centers.
The report highlights that examiners were required to work long hours, which negatively impacted their productivity. Their housing conditions were described as poor and demotivating, and their remuneration was significantly delayed, occurring nine months after the conclusion of the exercise.
The Committee criticized KNEC for failing to conduct periodic independent audits, which are crucial for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
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The committee suggests that the government allocate sufficient funds to the Ministry of Education and school boards for infrastructure improvements, including investing in closed-circuit television equipped with artificial intelligence in all examination centers.
Furthermore, it recommends that additional funds be allocated to KNEC to support its activities and operations, including compensating examiners, transporting examination materials, and providing adequate housing for them.
KNEC’s New Proposed Exam Procedures to Enhance Integrity
