The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has implemented significant changes in its 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) timetable, marking a historic shift in exam administration.
The new timetable, published on KNEC‘s website, indicates that the KCSE exams will begin on Monday, November 4, entering their third week with large-candidature papers.
Notably, the first day will feature English and Chemistry papers, with the examination schedule now allowing candidates to take tests in the morning, afternoon, and evening, some of which may conclude as late as 5:00 p.m.
This represents a departure from previous years when exams typically ended earlier in the day.
A key change for 2024 is the introduction of a two-and-a-half-hour break following the first paper, which will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This extended break means that the second exam will carry over into the evening, contrasting sharply with past years when candidates had only a 30-minute break and the second exam began shortly after.
While similar timing changes were first introduced in the 2023 KCSE exams, their continuation into 2024 suggests that this may become a standard practice for future national examinations.
Additionally, KNEC has reminded field officers that all examination containers will open at 7:00 a.m. and that mobile devices must be secured during the examination period.
Centre managers are required to maintain an approved list of personnel present at each centre, complete with identification cards.
Earlier in August 2024, KNEC CEO David Njengere announced further modifications aimed at curbing exam cheating.
For the 2024 exams, candidates’ papers will be personalized with their names, index numbers, and other details, ensuring that any malpractice is attributed to the individual rather than affecting an entire school.
In September, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) also updated its criteria for selecting centre managers, supervisors, and invigilators for the national exams.
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