Over 600 KCSE candidates were involved in malpractice

 

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has revealed that 621 candidates in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education were involved in exam malpractice.

He noted that the number represented 0.064 percent out of the 965, 501 candidates who say for the exams in 2024.

Speaking on Friday, Ogamba said the candidates were mainly found with unauthorised written materials, mobile phones, collusion, sharing images of their question papers on social media and impersonation.

"These cases were reported in 198 out of 10,754 exam centres representing 1.841 percent of the examination centres," he said.

"All the cases are under active investigation and action will be taken on the individuals found culpable of these examination malpractices."

Ogamba said the ministry will remain committed to upholding the sanctity of the national examinations.

He stated that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has invited 32,800 examiners in 2024, from 29,876 in 2023, to ensure timely and accurate marking.

Further, marking of the Kenya Primary School Educationa Assessment ( KPSEA) has already been complicated.

He said KNEC has since started developing relevant reports for sharing with schools and learners by January 2025.

Over 1.3 million candidates sat for KPSE in 32,573 centres, supported by 617 distribution centres.

He said despite the fact that KPSEA candidates had to endure heavy rains and insecurities in some parts of the country, no candidate was left behind.

Ogamba said this included reported 28 brave candidates who took the examinations from hospital settings.

He lauded the multi-agency examination administration team comprising officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of ICT, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other stakeholders.

He said the officials played a vital role in the efficient coordination of the examination season.

Ogamba said the government disbursed Sh65.2 billion for free secondary education , with the junior schools receiving Sh35.3 billion and primary schools Sh9.36 billion in capitation grants.

Additionally, he said, Sh18 billion has been allocated for Grade 9 infrastructure and construction of 18,000 classroom across the country, which has already begun.

The first phase saw the construction of 3,500 classrooms with phase two which will deliver 7,500 classrooms.

The phase two has commenced construction and will be ready by January 2025.

The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) supporting the construction of an additional 6,800 classrooms is ongoing.

Additionally, Sh1 billion has been allocated to Nairobi County due to its unique challenges in order to support the infrastructure.

To support the roll out of the junior secondary education, Ogamba said over 46,000 intern teachers have been absorbed into permanent status.

Further, 20,000 more interns are being recruited with 60,000 primary school teachers having been equipped to teach JSS.

by SHARON MWENDE