KNEC’s New Steps to Stop Exam Cheating
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is introducing stringent measures for the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams to combat cheating and maintain the integrity of the national examinations. These new rules, which include personalized exam papers and enhanced security protocols, represent a significant shift from past practices.
Personalized Exam Papers
For the first time, each of the over 900,000 candidates will receive personalized exam papers that will have their names, index numbers, and school details pre-printed on them. This measure is designed to prevent common cheating practices like impersonation, where in the past, individuals could fraudulently sit for exams on behalf of registered candidates. By pre-printing these details, KNEC aims to eliminate such possibilities and ensure that each student is individually accountable for their examination.
Holding Individual Candidates Accountable
KNEC is also changing its approach to dealing with cheating incidents. Instead of penalizing entire schools or exam centers for irregularities, the council will now focus on holding individual candidates responsible. This policy ensures that innocent students are not unfairly punished due to the actions of a few, fostering a fairer examination environment.
Enhanced Security Measures
KNEC Chief Executive David Njengere highlighted during a stakeholders’ meeting that the new measures are critical to enhancing the credibility of the KCSE exams. No extra exam papers will be printed this year, a move that is intended to prevent the circulation of unauthorized copies that could be used for cheating. After each exam, the personalized section of the exam paper will be removed and securely packed separately to prevent examiners from identifying candidates during marking, further ensuring the anonymity and fairness of the assessment process.
Prevention of Impersonation and Ghost Candidates
The introduction of personalized exam papers is also aimed at curbing impersonation, a form of cheating where someone other than the registered candidate sits for the exam. This year, only registered candidates will be allowed to sit for the exams, addressing the issue of “under-protest” candidates who have previously taken unregistered subjects. The new policy also eliminates the printing of extra exam papers, which were sometimes exploited by cheats.
Addressing Ghost Candidates
KNEC has issued a stern warning against the registration of ghost candidates, a malpractice where fictitious students are registered for exams. Schools found guilty of this practice risk severe penalties, including being deregistered as exam centers. The council is also tightening security around the distribution and collection of exam papers by adding 41 additional secure containers to prevent early exposure of the papers.
Stakeholder Engagement and Private Candidate Reforms
KNEC is urging all stakeholders, including school heads, to cooperate with the council and report any suspicious activities that could compromise the integrity of the exams. For the first time, private candidates will be required to take their theory papers at designated county headquarters rather than sub-county locations. This change is part of a broader effort to ensure secure and uniform exam administration across the country.
Ongoing and Future Assessments
In addition to the KCSE exams, KNEC is conducting School-Based Assessments for various grades and piloting the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) in preparation for the first cohort of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) students, who will transition to senior secondary school in 2025.
Through these comprehensive reforms, KNEC aims to uphold the integrity of Kenya’s national examinations, ensuring that they are conducted fairly and transparently, with only eligible candidates participating under strict supervision.
