The Ministry of Education is on high alert over the risk of KCSE papers leaking before the official start time, The Star reported. The written exams entered their second day on Tuesday. Candidates sat Mathematics and English Comprehension that day, after English and Chemistry on Monday.
In a public notice, Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) chief executive David Njengere ordered centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and security officers not to take mobile phones into exam rooms during papers. He said the phones must be switched off and kept in lockers outside. Candidates have also been barred from wearing wristwatches. According to The Star, smartwatches can store notes, receive messages, go online or connect to hidden earpieces to pass on answers.
KNEC has told centre managers to put a wall clock in every exam room so candidates can keep track of time. Managers must collect papers for their centres at exactly 7am. Any attempt to open an exam container early sets off an alert at KNEC headquarters.
Basic Education PS John Ololtuaa said the tighter rules are meant to protect the integrity of the national exams. "There's no way you can open earlier. If you attempt, the Kenya National Examinations Council will see that you have actually tried to open before the time," he said.
No major incident has been reported so far. Even so, the ministry says malpractice remains a major concern despite closer surveillance. Officials want to stop offences such as impersonation, collusion and carrying unauthorised materials into exam rooms.
Education CS Julius Ogamba said credible exams protect the value of Kenyan certificates and the country's global reputation. He said that certificates from a country whose exams are not credible are not respected.
KNEC runs a round-the-clock call centre for reports and enquiries. It can be reached on the toll-free numbers 0800-721-410 and 0800-724-900, or on the direct line 0719-093-000.