Tag Archives: 2021 KCSE EXAMS

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2021 KCPE, KCSE exams- Ministry issues circular

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The Ministry of Education has issued an important circular on the status of preparation of the 2021 KCPE and KCSE examinations. The Ministry says the tests that will be done in March/ April this year are ready.

According to the latest circular by Education Principal Secretary, Dr. Belio Kipsang, and dated January 21, 2021, there will be no extra-curricular and social activities during the Second/Third Term (National Examination Term).

See details from the circular, below;

RE: PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2021 EXAMINATIONS BY THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

Further to the ongoing preparations for national examinations, the Ministry in consultation with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and in compliance with the provisions of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, specifically Legal Notice No. 135 on Conduct of Examination Rules and in line with the Ministry of Health Protocols on Covid-19, is announcing measures meant to improve the administration of this important national exercise and control spread of Covid-19 in schools.

These measures include the reorganization of school term dates, the examinations period, change of examination timetable, ban of social and related activities in schools during national examination term and scrapping of half term breaks during the national examination term.

1. RE-ORGANISATION OF TERM DATES AND MID-TERM BREAKS

Third Term/Second Term (National Examination Term) for all schools (Primary and Secondary) commenced on 4th January, 2021 and ends on 19th March, 2021. Unlike the current practice, there will be no half term break during Second Term/Third Term given the short period and the need to adequately and effectively prepare for the National Examinations.

2. EXAMINATION PERIOD AND TIME TABLE

The Ministry and stakeholders including KNEC have agreed to reorganize the
examinations period and hence released a timetable corresponding to the new
dates.

See also; 2020-2021 KCSE Timetable download (knec revised/final copy)

3. BAN ON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THIRD TERM

To control and ensure effective preparation for the examinations, it has become necessary to control extra-curricular and social activities during the Second/Third Term (National Examination Term).

Like in previous years, there will be no prayer sessions for candidates involving parents and outsiders in schools during the Third Term (National Examination Term).

However, any prayer arrangements as consistent with Covid-19 protocols involving school chaplains and teachers will be allowed. The aim is to avoid unnecessary contacts between candidates/students and outsiders during the exam period/Covid-19 Pandemic period.

4. APPOINTMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PRINCIPALS AND HEAD TEACHERS

The KNEC will appoint school principals and head teachers to be in charge of their examination centres with the assistance of carefully selected supervisors. Together with Board of Management (BOM) of their schools, these officials will take full responsibility and accountability for any exam malpractices that may be reported in their centres.

KNEC will also identify senior officials and selected teachers to be supervisors and invigilators of the National Examinations.

Also read; KCSE 2020 Knec examiners invitation letters; How to apply online and download your marking letter

KNEC News Portal, KUCCPS News Portal

KCSE, KCPE tests ready- CS Magoha

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Preparation for this year’s class 8 and form 4 exams are well on course. Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha says exam materials for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) tests are ready and shall be done as scheduled.

“I want to assure you the examinations are ready and in less than four weeks we shall start,” Magoha said; while addressing Journalists Kiambu on Wednesday.

A total of 1,088,986 will sit for the KCPE tests while the KCSE exams will be taken by 699,745 candidates.

Packed KCSE exam papers. Photo/File
Packed KCSE exam papers. Photo/File

He added that the examination has taken into consideration the fact that the school calendar was affected by the long closures occassioned by the Covid19 pandemic outbreak.

“The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) is ready and should there be any cases that need to be addressed, the government is there,” said Magoha.

The revised KCPE and KCSE timetable from Knec will see the KCPE candidates sit the papers starting March 22, just two days after the end of their third term. The three-day exams will end on March 24, one day before the start of the KCSE exams that will last three weeks and three days.

The KCSE candidates sit for their first theory paper on Friday March 26, 2021. The last examination day will be on Wednesday April 21, 2021. See further details here; 2020-2021 KCSE Timetable download (knec revised/final copy)

KNEC CONTRACTED PROFESSIONALS

The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) is in the final phase of contracting close to 286,000 professionals to administer the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

“An estimated 286,000 field officers will be engaged on agency basis to facilitate in the conduct of exams in the field. The field officers contracted for administration of exams will be expected to register online using the contracted professional CP2 system by February 25,” says the Council through a five-page document detailing the preparations that have been put in place to ensure the exams run smoothly.

Deployments for the contracted professionals are being done by the Ministry of Education Sub County Directors of Education and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Sub County Directors in every sub-county. Nominated professionals shall then be notified via SMS and/or email as soon as the exercise is complete.

Read further details here; Knec contracted professionals 2021; About 286,000 professionals expected to apply online by February 26

KNEC News Portal, KUCCPS News Portal

Knec statement on the 2020 examiners training

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The Kenya National Examinations Council, KNEC, has issued a statement concerning the 2020 training of examiners. This follows reports that the Council had made an advertisement for teachers willing to train to apply online.

Every year Knec has been carrying out training for examiners annually or from time to time as need arises. The training of new examiners is informed by: increased candidature, need to replace exited examiners and whenever new exam papers are introduced.

The Council usually trains examiners in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Primary Teacher Education (PTE) and Early Childhood Development Education, ECDE; among other examinations. 

Read also; Knec examiners training-All that you need to know

But, Knec says it is yet to advertise for any 2020 training vacancies. The Council’s response follows numerous inquiries from teachers and other stake holders.

“KNEC has received several inquiries from headteachers, teachers/tutors in relation to the training of KCPE, KCSE, PTE, ECDE and DTE examiners. We wish to inform all headteachers and teachers that KNEC has not advertised for training of examiners in the year 2020.” Says the Council via a press statement.

There have been misleading reports online insinuating that the council had told interested teachers to apply so as to be trained.

All indications are that the Council may not advertise for any training vacancies, this year. This is largely due to the current covid 19 pandemic and the crunch school academic calendar that may leave Knec with no option than to push the training to next year.

KNEC will now have to use examiners in its database during the 2020 KCSE marking exercise that is slated for April 4 to 22, 2021.