KNEC ISSUES STRICT GUIDELINES AS KPSEA AND KJSEA EXAMS COMMENCE NATIONWIDE

These exams mark a vital stage in the education system, assessing students in Grade 6 and Grade 9 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

According to the statement from KNEC, the following key directives have been emphasized:

Examination Material Handling: The containers holding exam materials will be opened early 6:00 am for KPSEA and KJSEA exams, ensuring timely readiness for distribution across centres.

Mobile Phones and Devices: To safeguard exam integrity, all mobile phones belonging to personnel within examination centres are to be locked away, with keys securely held by supervisors.

Authorized Personnel: Centre managers must have an approved list of authorized persons present at the examination centre, who must carry valid national identification cards for verification.

Exam Packet Management: Supervisors are cautioned to open only the correct examination packet for the relevant exam session, preventing mix-ups that could jeopardize the exam process.

“These measures are part of KNEC’s continued effort to maintain transparency and fairness in all national assessments,” according to KNEC’s statement .

KNEC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Njengere, reassured the public that over 3.4 million candidates will sit for the three national examinations this year (KPSEA, KJSEA, and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education – KCSE).

He expressed confidence in the council’s preparation, asserting that all logistics and security measures are firmly in place to ensure a smooth and credible examination exercise.

“This year we are administering KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE to over 3.4 million candidates,” Njengere said in a message.

Additionally, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who opened exam containers in Nairobi’s Kibra area, emphasized the government’s commitment to providing adequate resources and funds to schools to facilitate this process seamlessly.

He termed the 2025 KJSEA a historic milestone as it is the first-ever national assessment for junior secondary school learners transitioning to senior school.

“We have done our best to ensure that everything is ready. All learners have been prepared, all the examinations have been prepared, and this morning we are distributing them to different centres here in Kibra,” he said.

Regional education directors have also highlighted strict enforcement of these guidelines in various counties, warning against examination malpractices and emphasizing the importance of adherence to KNEC rules to ensure genuine and fair assessment outcomes.

“It was a painful decision, but it had to be done in the interest of enforcing integrity in our examinations and assessments,” David said. “No one should be found with a phone in an examination or assessment centre.”

These directives by KNEC demonstrate Kenya’s commitment to maintaining examination standards, ensuring transparency, and upholding the integrity of its education system during this crucial assessment period

“The security of our examination centres is guaranteed, as well as the safety of all participants,” the ministry said. “All are advised to stay out of trouble and avoid having exams cancelled or schools disqualified.”