Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations kicked off Monday with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) warning candidates against any form of malpractice.
The exams, which are normally done at the end of the year, are coming five months later after the 2020 tests were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fears of cheating have been raised, with face masks being a new challenge as cases of impersonation have been reported in the past.
Education CS George Magoha last week said some candidates intended to use the masks to cheat by using them as ‘mwakenya’, a piece of paper with crucial notes that is squeezed and shared in the exam room.
He directed centre managers, supervisors and invigilators to ensure candidates remove their masks before entering exam rooms for identification, and singled out Isebania, Migori and Kisii as “the headquarters of cheating”.
The examinations come amid apprehension by some parents that the candidates might not have prepared adequately having been away from school for a long period.
But Prof Magoha allayed the concerns, saying the exams will be administered and marked “with a human face” and that candidates will not be disadvantaged.
Due to the ongoing rains, the ministry has requested a comprehensive weather forecast from the weatherman to ensure better planning.
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