This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
On August 22, 2019, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha issued a directive to curb examination malpractice in schools.
The ban on non-academic events in schools during the third term is a reinforcement of previous orders by former Education CS Fred Matiang'i in 2016, which included barring candidates from mid-term breaks and prayer days before exams.
Speaking in Machakos, Magoha 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.”
He emphasized that these events have been used for other purposes in the past, which is what they are trying to avoid.
Magoha also announced that primary and secondary schools will close early to allow standard eight and form four candidates to sit national examinations in November.
He warned candidates and teachers against engaging in activities that might amount to examination malpractice.
The KCPE exams will take place from November 1 to 3, while the KCSE exams will run from November 7 to November 30.
