Contracted KNEC Professionals Include Deputy School Heads
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has included deputy heads of institutions to its roster of outsourced professionals. Deputy headteachers and principals have previously aided during national tests but have not been legally acknowledged by KNEC.
As a result, they were ineligible for KNEC stipend payments for their contributions to test preparation and learner management.
According to KNEC, the recent modifications include deputy heads of institutions assisting their school heads during the national examination period, with the goal of improving exam integrity and reducing cheating.
KNEC has also made several other adjustments that will affect national exams and evaluations beginning in October.
KNEC published a statement last week barring contracted professionals, examiners, and assessors from engaging in actions that could jeopardize their roles. While peer learning and improving pedagogical skills are valuable practices during exam preparation, KNEC emphasizes that the Oath of Secrecy signed by all contracted professionals, examiners, and assessors prohibits activities that create conflicts of interest or reveal their identities as KNEC examiners/assessors.
KNEC is preparing to give national tests to about 2.3 million students, including those taking the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams this year.
The KCPE exam will be taken by around 1,415,315 candidates, while the KCSE exam will be taken by another 903,260. KNEC Chief Executive David Njengere acknowledged that preparations for these candidates, as well as the 1,282,574 Grade Six students who will take the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), have been made.
 has included deputy heads){kind=link}