Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, PS Belio Kipsang during the release KCSE results 2024 at Mtihani House.
[Photo Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]
The announcement included the cancellation of results for 840 candidates due to confirmed examination irregularities, while an additional 2,829 candidates had their results withheld pending investigations.
Ogamba highlighted that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) acted within its legal mandate under Legal Notice Number 132 of 2015, Rule Number 8, which permits the withholding of results in cases of suspected malpractice.
“The council is empowered in law provided in the Kenya National Examination Council handling of examinations irregularities rule of 2015, Legal notice number 132 of 2015 rule number 8 to withhold the results of any candidate or examination center suspected of having been involved in an examination irregularity or malpractice pending completion of investigations.”He stated.
The Cabinet Secretary expressed disappointment in the involvement of 91 professionals, including teachers, who facilitated these irregularities. He assured the public that disciplinary action would be taken.
“It is unfortunate that a few contracted professionals and teachers are… ruining the future of our learners by subjecting them to examination malpractices.”He added
This year’s KCSE recorded a total of 962,512 candidates, an increase from the previous year’s 899,453. Despite the challenges, Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s 100% transition policy, ensuring that all candidates would have opportunities for further education.
“We are committed to ensuring that every candidate who sat for this examination has an opportunity for further education,” he said.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders. Many parents raised concerns about the impact of the cancellations and withheld results on their children’s education, while some educators called for a review of KNEC’s procedures to prevent future malpractices. On social media, frustrations were voiced over delays in accessing results due to technical issues on the KNEC portal.
Ogamba praised KNEC for implementing measures to enhance the credibility and transparency of the examination process, including anonymizing candidates’ scripts during marking to promote objectivity.“
This helped to improve objectivity during marking and holding candidates personally responsible for any irregularities,” he noted.
The Cabinet Secretary reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the credibility of national examinations and emphasized that strict measures would continue to be enforced to deter malpractice.
“We will not allow a few individuals to tarnish the reputation of our education system,” he declared.
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