Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Chief Executive Officer Dr David Njeng’ere has refuted claims that there was leakage in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Speaking at Pride Inn Paradise Hotel during his grilling by the National Assembly Education Committee chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, the CEO said parents were duped into buying fake papers and what appeared on social media sites were fake exam materials.
“Parents pay money to rogue agents who have made them believe they (the agents) are KNEC officers,” he said, further challenging the committee to access the social media sites claiming to have this year’s exams, get the papers then later compare them to the actual papers in November.
He stated categorically that only a few people have access to national examination papers once set.
When asked about claims that some principals have prior knowledge of the practicals to be done, Njeng’ere acknowledged that the council usually sends advance instructions to the principals to direct them to prepare some solutions and other reagents or instruments in confidential parcels.
“However, these advance instructions do not come with questions that candidates will be given,” he added in his defense, further revealing that some principals share the instructions and therefore mislead others.
The CEO defended the council against claims of weaponization of the exams, since some parents and legislators have complained of the heavy security around examination areas.
“The multi-agency approach to examinations was introduced in the 2016 reforms meant to bring back the credibility of national exams,” he explained.
Njengere revealed that the council was financially constrained and called on the MPs to lobby for more budget allocation.
By Thuita Jaswant
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