Sunday, April 22, 2012

Knec blamed for examination leaks


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Photo/FILE  Former Minister for Education Prof Sam Ongeri shows a slipper that was was used by a student to cheat in an exam during the release of KCPE results at the KNEC headquarters in Nairobi, December 28th, 2011. The examinations council has been blamed for the frequent leakage of national test papers.
Photo/FILE Former Minister for Education Prof Sam Ongeri shows a slipper that was was used by a student to cheat in an exam during the release of KCPE results at the KNEC headquarters in Nairobi, December 28th, 2011. The examinations council has been blamed for the frequent leakage of national test papers.  
By NATION REPORTER
Posted  Sunday, April 22  2012 at  22:30
The examinations council has been blamed for the frequent leakage of national test papers.
Educationists said there are loopholes in the way the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) handles setting, printing, marking and distribution of the papers.
Prof Khalfan Mazrui, a former principal of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayyed High School, said cheating falls squarely on the shoulders of Knec.
“KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) and KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations are products of Knec and there is no way it can dissociate itself from any anomaly associated with them,” he said in a telephone interview.
Setting, moderating, printing and delivery of exam papers to different centres are under the control of the council and its seconded officials, he said.
Prof Mazrui said there is a possibility that some of the people invited to set the examinations share the questions with candidates.
“You cannot rule out the possibility of exam setters leaking questions to candidates, especially during the time when teachers from national schools performed this role,” said Prof Mazrui.
A former Knec official who requested anonymity agreed with Prof Mazrui, saying national schools used to perform well when the council involved their teachers in setting national examinations.
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“Whether printed here or out there (UK), there people who handle the packages and anything can happen,” said the official.
North Eastern Province was hit by riots after cancellation KCSE results for 1,600 candidates.
Out of frustration, MPs from the area called for an overhaul of Knec and thorough investigation to establish the truth.
Dujis MP Aden Duale tabled a petition in Parliament over Knec’ incompetence.

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