KNEC Calls for Security Meeting Ahead of National Exams

Following the discovery that 315 schools were planning to get involved in cheating during the upcoming national exams, Kenya national examination council (KNEC) has called for a security meeting to deliberate on ways to avert cheating.

The meeting is expected to be attended by KNEC officials, Ministry of Education officials and top security and will be chaired by acting KNEC CEO Mercy Karogo.

While acting KNEC CEO says that today’s (4^th October 2019) meeting is a routine that is usually carried out annually just before national exams begin, it is said that one of the most crucial things expected to be discussed is cheating especially after 315 schools were recently put under investigations.

The 315 schools, spread across 31 counties were put under scrutiny as it emerged that heads of the schools, parents, together with regional TSC officials were planning on involving themselves in exam irregularities.

KNEC report revealed that parents paid money to schools to facilitate buying of exam materials while regional TSC officials had partnered with school administrators to have invigilators retained in their various former stations, so that they (invigilators) would issue exams earlier, owing to the familiarity they have already established with administrators and teachers in the stations.

It was also said that teachers would be allowed to be within the school compounds contrary to the rules to help with the marking up of multiple-choice questions for KCPE candidates.

Education CS Prof. George MAgoha, also siding with KNEC CEO’s comment, said that the meeting involving Ministries of Education, TSC, Interior and Coordination of National Government and ICT is to ensure heightened precaution against national exams cheating.

“Last year there were reports of minor loopholes that criminals attempted to use to introduce cheating. This year we want to seal them and even extend security surveillance around examination centres beyond the school compounds up to a radius of two kilometres,” said CS Magoha.

The surveillance will be extended to structures within and around the examination centres, which according to the CS were used as channels for sneaking in exam materials.

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