This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has taken a bold step to curb examination malpractice in schools by banning all non-academic events during the third term. This move is aimed at ensuring that students focus solely on their studies and examinations.
Magoha's decision is a reinforcement of the orders put in place by former Education CS Fred Matiang'i in 2016 to curb examination cheating. Matiang'i had banned students from going on mid-term holidays and schools from conducting prayer days for students just before the KNEC exams resumed.
Magoha was speaking in Machakos on Wednesday and emphasized that nobody in both private and public institutions will be allowed to interfere with the candidates as they prepare for their examination. He stated, 'I want to be crystal clear that nobody in both private and public institutions will be allowed to interfere with the candidates as they prepare for their examination… So there will be no events in schools, no fundraising, no prayers or any other activities.'
November will be an examination month, with the rest of learners in primary and secondary schools closing on October 28. KCSE candidates sitting this year's examination will be the fourth lot of students to take the examinations under new stringent rules to curb cheating.
The omission of non-academic activities will see to it that the exams start early and will also improve the preparations for KCPE and KCSE. This year's KCPE will start from November 1 to 3, while KCSE will run from November 7 to November 30.
