Why KCSE papers will be dispatched to schools days before the exam

Examinations for the 1.7 million KCPE and KCSE candidates are ready and will be dispatched countrywide a few days to the start of the tests.

In a marked departure from previous years, examination booklets will be dispatched to schools this month for centre managers to check if the materials are adequate ahead of the scheduled dates.

The materials will be distributed to sub-county directors of education who will issue them to centre managers, supervisors, and invigilators in a new plan to beat last minute confusion.

Yesterday, it emerged examination question papers and related materials will be dispatched from the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) offices to the distribution points (containers) a few days to the start.

The details are contained in a brief by Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) Chief Executive Officer Mercy Karogo.

The brief by Karogo will form the core of week-long regional meetings that will bring together Ministry of Education officials, regional security officers and all school heads.

Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang has instructed all regional coordinators of education to ensure all the primary and secondary school heads, county and sub-county directors of education and examination supervisors attend the briefings.

The briefings will start September 3 (Monday) and will be chaired by county commissioners at county level and deputy county commissioners at sub-county level.

Sub-county examination officers, police officers in charge of the sub-county (OCPD) and deputy administration police commandants (DAPC) will also attend.

The briefing is part of the multi-agency approach to the management of the examinations. Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has already instructed teachers that there will be no room for errors this year.

Some 1.7 million candidates will sit the primary and secondary examinations this year. Of these, 1,060,703 will sit KCPE with 664,585 sitting KCSE. KCPE examinations will be done across 27,161 centres. 

KCSE will be done in 10,077 centres. Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed said the ban on third term school activities will remain in force.

Last week, Knec Chairman George Magoha said the council has prepared adequately for the administration of the examinations.

“We have done very well so far. Everything is in place in readiness for the administration of examinations,” said Magoha.