Issues may arise from KNEC’s decision to collect exam twice
Issues may arise from KNEC’s decision to collect exam twice
The crucial task of managing national exams in Kenya’s basic education system is within the purview of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). The Kenya National Examinations Council Act Cap 225A, which established it in 1980 and was later superseded by KNEC Act No. 29 of 2012, marked a fundamental shift in assuring the validity of exams and ensuring that they were in line with Kenya’s educational objectives.
Over the years, KNEC has undergone modifications to increase the validity of exam results, most notably under the direction of Fred Matiang’i, the Education Cabinet Secretary, and Prof. George Magoha, the council chairman.
It’s crucial to recognize that the core reasons of irregularities go beyond paper collection and delivery schedules, even though the latest idea to collect exam papers twice daily from secure containers shows promise in minimizing exam irregularities.
KNEC is faced with a number of difficulties, such as ethical issues among employees, restricted cooperation with auxiliary organizations, technological barriers, inadequate transportation infrastructure, corruption, and resource limitations. In order to overcome these obstacles, it might be necessary to mobilize more vehicles, including helicopters for regions afflicted by bad weather.
The geographical limitations in distant places, such as pastoral regions, create considerable obstacles despite the potential advantages of dual paper collecting in reducing malpractices. These regions frequently struggle with great distances separating educational institutions, safety concerns, and inadequate transportation systems, all of which might interfere with exam procedures, particularly during periods of heavy rain.
For KNEC to ensure effective exam administration, cooperation with various governmental agencies and non-governmental groups has been essential. Such cooperation is necessary because Kenya’s educational system’s reputation affects the whole country.
While efforts to lessen exam fraud are encouraged, the suggestion for twice-daily paper collecting may present more problems than it does answers. To overcome its current constraints, KNEC need more financial backing, driven staff, and effective resource management.
In summary, the idea to collect exam papers twice a day seeks to strengthen the reliability of Kenya’s educational system. However, it is important to take into account the actual difficulties presented by geography, climate, and security in some areas. To ensure the successful administration of national tests, addressing these difficulties requires coordinated efforts and sufficient funding.
