Proposed exam law raises stakes for school heads, exam officials

School principals and examination administrators could face tough criminal penalties, including jail terms and hefty fines, under the proposed Kenya National Educational Assessments Council (KNEAC) Bill, 2025.

The draft law seeks to repeal the current Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Act and establish a new body mandated to oversee national assessments across basic education, teacher training colleges, and post-school institutions.

It also introduces a framework to manage and regulate digital examinations, reflecting the growing shift toward technology-based testing.

If enacted, the Bill will hold heads of institutions personally accountable for compliance.

The principals who permit examinations to be conducted in unregistered centres could face up to five years in prison or a fine of Ksh5 million, or both.

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School administrators who fail to register eligible candidates within the prescribed timelines risk a one-year jail term or a Ksh200,000 fine. The same penalties would apply to those who unlawfully withhold examination certificates from candidates.

The proposed law also outlines strict punishment for examination malpractice and fraud. Anyone found in unauthorised possession of examination materials could be jailed for up to 10 years or fined Ksh2 million.

Sharing exam papers or related materials on social media platforms may attract a five-year prison sentence or a Ksh5 million fine.

Forgery of academic certificates carries even stiffer consequences, with offenders facing up to 10 years in jail or fines of up to Ksh10 million.

Through these measures, the government aims to strengthen oversight, enhance accountability, and safeguard the credibility and integrity of Kenya’s national assessment system.

By Kimwele Mutuku