On the radar : All systems go as KCSE practical exams start.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education has commenced today with candidates sitting for their practical papers first. The national exam is set to run till November 24 ending with Physics practicals. 903,260 candidates registered for this year’s KCSE and the candidates shall sit their practical papers this week till Friday, October 27. The practical exams include orals for French, German, Arabic, Kenya Sign Language and music. Though,Home Science students will do their practicals between October 30 and 31.

From November 1, candidates will sit for several exams in the morning, including French (Listening Comprehension, dictation, and Creative Writing), Braille, German, Arabic, Arabic Large print, Kenyan Sign Language (Receptive Skills), and Music.

Just under a million will sit KCSE exams this year while 1.4 million will sit KCPE exams and the rehearsal date for KCPE and KPSEA is set for Friday, October 27.Exams for both KCPE and KPSEA will begin on Monday, October 30, and end on Wednesday, November 1and the 2023 KCPE examinations will mark the end of the 8-4-4 system in primary schools.

Following the announcement of the 2022 KCSE exams earlier this year, allegations of exam malpractice were rife. The National Assembly Education Committee then moved to probe the allegations on January 27 this year.

The committee found that exam malpractices in the 2022 KSCE included collusion to share answers, use of mobile phones in exam rooms, impersonation, smuggling of unauthorised written material, leakage, and plagiarism among other techniques.

Currently, Knec is working to ensure there will be no cases of malpractice in the 2023 national exams.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.