The Ministry of Education has issued a clarification regarding the administration of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations following the government’s declaration of Friday, November 1, 2024, as a public holiday.
Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced the holiday in a gazette notice on Thursday evening to accommodate the swearing-in of Deputy President-designate Prof. Kithure Kindiki, which will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
In response to the holiday announcement, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba reassured the public that the KCSE exams, which began on October 22, would continue as scheduled.
He emphasized that the declaration of a public holiday would not disrupt the examination papers planned for that day.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the public that the declaration of the holiday will not interrupt the ongoing KCSE Examination papers scheduled for Friday, 1st November 2024,” Ogamba stated.
All members of the multi-agency examination administration team have been instructed to report to work as usual to ensure that the day’s examination activities are executed smoothly, in accordance with the Ministry’s guidelines.
This directive applies to all basic education institutions that are in session.
According to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) timetable, the scheduled exams for Friday include practical papers for Home Science, Art and Design, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Aviation Technology, and Computer Studies.
This year’s KCSE examinations are being conducted across 10,755 centers, with a record 965,501 candidates registered, up from 903,138 in 2023.
Candidates started with practical and oral assessments for elective subjects, with the main written exams set to commence on November 4.
Rehearsals for the exams took place on October 28, covering subjects such as French and German (oral), Kenyan Sign Language (practical), and music (practical).
KNEC has introduced new specialized features for this year’s KCSE papers as part of efforts to curb cheating.
CS Ogamba highlighted these innovations during the launch of the 2024 national examinations season at Mitihani House in Nairobi on October 4.
The changes include customized papers with candidates’ personal details pre-printed.
Meanwhile, grade six students completed the three-day Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) on Thursday, wrapping up with creative arts and social studies.
These assessments aim to monitor student progress and facilitate the transition to Junior School.
Musalia Mudavadi Appointed Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary; November 1 Declared Public Holiday
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