Third week of 2024 KCSE exams kicks off with large-candidature papers
The 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams are entering their third week, with large-candidature papers set to begin.
The exams, which started on October 22 and will run until November 22, involve 965,501 candidates across 10,755 centres, marking a notable increase from last year’s 903,138 candidates.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has taken extra measures to ensure the smooth management and security of the examination process.
The first two weeks focused on practical and oral assessments in elective subjects, including French, German, Kenyan Sign Language, and music.
With the larger written exams now starting, KNEC has provided a clear timetable to guide the next phase and ensure timely administration across the country.
The council has also enhanced the distribution network for exam materials, increasing the number of distribution centres from 576 to 617.
This addition includes new storage containers to facilitate the daily delivery and collection of exam papers.
To maintain security, KNEC CEO David Njeng’ere emphasized that all distribution containers must be opened promptly at 7:00 a.m. to allow the timely distribution of examination materials.
Furthermore, field officers are required to follow strict protocols within the examination centres:
- Exam Material Handling: All exam containers must be opened at precisely 7:00 a.m. each day.
- Communication Restrictions: Mobile phones belonging to all personnel, including supervisors, invigilators, and centre managers, are to be securely locked away, with the keys held exclusively by the centre supervisor to prevent unauthorized communication during exam sessions.
- Personnel Identification: Each examination centre must have an approved list of personnel, with all individuals required to carry a valid ID for verification.
In an effort to uphold the integrity of the KCSE, KNEC has also implemented additional security measures.
Centre managers are responsible for ensuring that only authorized personnel are allowed access to the examination rooms, and the use of technology or devices not approved by KNEC is strictly prohibited within the exam areas.
