This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations are set to begin in Kenya on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. The three-day examination will start at 8:30 am on Tuesday, with the first paper being mathematics.
On the first day, candidates will also write the English Language and Composition assessment paper. The following day, Wednesday, will see candidates tackle Science and Kiswahili Language and Insha exams. On the final day, Thursday, candidates will write Social Studies and Religious Education papers.
The examinations will be available in three variants – normal print, large print, and braille – and for Composition and Insha, the exam will be available in normal print, large print, braille, and for the hearing impaired.
According to the Teachers Service Commission, 28,000 school heads have been licensed to act as centre managers during examinations, in addition to 173,000 teachers assigned to officiate the examinations.
Due to the recent floods, the government has taken measures to ensure the exams reach candidates in hard-hit regions. Police helicopters will be used to fly the exams papers to these areas.
Some of the most affected counties include Mandera, Wajir, Tana River, and Isiolo. The government has also merged some of the centres in areas where roads have been rendered impassable to reduce unnecessary travel and disruptions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has issued a warning to examination centre managers and other stakeholders against colluding with candidates and parents in cheating. He stated, 'My warning to them is very clear. The government is watching and those who will attempt will be punished. As a matter of fact, we have capacity to know if you open a paper, we will know where that paper was meant to be. Whoever fails to comply with the set rules and regulation will definitely be dealt with.'
