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How Technology Hacked KCPE, KCSE Examination Integrity

Both Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) have lost credibility. The two academic testimonials awarded by the Kenyan National Examination Council (KNEC) lost luster with the advent of social media platforms such as Whatsapp, Telegram and even Facebook.

The era when hard work was rewarded is long gone. Social messaging apps have expedited the speed at which exam material is spread, before the official examination date. Instant messaging services widened the scope of material delivery.

In 2014 and 2015 there was unprecedented massive exam theft across Kenya, a scenario that led to a major overhaul of the entire examination council and the manner in which exams were administered. The then Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof Jacob Kaimenyi paid the ultimate price, when he was transferred to the less lucrative Ministry of Lands.

The no-nonsense, tough looking Matiang’i replaced Kaimenyi at Jogoo House and he single-handedly sealed all the exam leaking loopholes. Dr. Fred Matiang’i introduced the ‘container system’ of exam storage, manned by the police.

Matiang’i managed to crush the entire exam-stealing cartel that was based at the Jogoo House with accomplices spread across the country.

Over 1,179,000 candidates sat for this year's KCPE examination. 1,187,517 registered for the KCPE test. Exam was held on March 22 to March 24. 28,460 centers were used for the examination purposes.

Exam was done amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Exam calender was disrupted in 2020. Education CS George Magoha briefed President Uhuru Kenyatta before the official release.

The President issued a directive that all teachers and support staff take the Covid-19 jab. TSC boss Nancy Macharia disclosed that about 90,000 teachers have already been vaccinated.

2020 KCPE Results at a Glance

Top candidate nationally was Faith Mumo got marks 433. Yumbet Nanzala from Chogoria girls and Angel Gakenia tied in second position with 432.

Top boy was Wanyonyi Samuel from Nzoia Sugar Primary School. He was ranked fourth in the order of merit, with 431 marks. Male candidates performed better in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Religious Education.

Females took 8 out of 15 top slots. Female candidates performed better in English, Kiswahili and Kenya Sign Language. 

8,091 candidates scored above 400 marks, while 282,000 scored between 300 and 399. 

According to Prof. Magoha, this year's candidates performed better than the 2019 group.

How to access 2020 KCPE Results

The results can be accessed by sending the candidates index number followed by the initials KCPE to 20076.

The Reemergence of the Ghoul of Exam Fraud

During Magoha’s tenure, the ghost of exam fraud re-merged in a distinct form. Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. George Magoha has failed to maintain the education standards that were set by his predecessor, Matiang’i.

Magoha’s only achievement in the Education sector is attributed by his timely release of KCPE and KCSE examination results. The former Vice Chancellor of Nairobi University has also been unable to implement the transition to competence based curriculum (CBC), forcing President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.

How will it be possible to restore sanity in the education sector? Will CBC offer solutions to the emerging problems that have bedeviled the education industry?

During the twitch of 2020 KCSE exams, government dismissed leakage reports. Sooner than later, KCSE exam papers began doing rounds on the internet, as the hawk-eyed officials netted down the unlucky lot. 

On April 1, Magoha claimed that 15 people had been arrested over exam irregularities. Among those arrested were 8 KCSE candidates who were found in possession of mobile phones. On April 8, a teacher who was suspected to be the main perpetrator of KCSE exam cheating was arrested in Nyanza.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia affirmed that those teachers who were part of the exam cheating cartel will be interdicted. 

As CS Magoha announces 2021 KCPE results, it is no secret that the exams were characterized by massive cheating. 

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