Here Are New Changes From KNEC In KCSE And KCPE Requirements

Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has minimized its stance after confusion from headteachers and parents over its new national examination’s requirement.

Earlier, KNEC issued a new directive requiring all schools presenting candidates for the 2021 KCPE and KCSE exams to have a minimum of 40 students to qualify as exam centers.

The move raised concerns among school heads who were worried about losing candidates should parents realize that their schools may not meet the threshold.

Parents also raised concerns that the directive would destabilize students who would have to adapt to a new environment.

KNEC has now revised the requirement downscaling the threshold to only 30 students to accommodate as many schools as possible.

According to Kerogo, the decision was reached after a meeting between the body and Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) officials.

“Following consultation with Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA)under the guidance of Ministry of Education, there shall be no registration of new examination centers with less than 30 candidates for both public and private schools,” stated Kerogo in a letter.

ALSO READ: Kenya Tea Growers Shift to Other Crops as Climate Change Bites

KPSA Chief Executive Peter Ndoro had raised concerns that the initial directive would lock up as many as 3,800 schools. Most of them would be drawn from the association.

He added that it is not only an abuse to the doctrine of stakeholder participation as provided for in our constitution but an attack on private schools aimed at disrupting progress made in expanding access to the provision of quality education in our country.

“If I’m a private school investor and I’m taking my student to another school probably those children will pull others to that school meaning that my business will be destabilized which is not right. KNEC should revoke that directive,” Ndoro stated.

On June 11, KNEC acting chief executive Mercy Kerogo issued the directives in a circular sent to all headteachers of primary schools and principals of secondary schools

She directed that all schools, both private and public, who did not meet the threshold would have to be hosted by another center.