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2nd term extended as school visits cancelled to curb cheating

While announcing the initiatives, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i pointed out that term two which was to end on August 5 will be extended to August 12/FILE

While announcing the initiatives, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i pointed out that term two which was to end on August 5 will be extended to August 12/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 18 – The Ministry of Education has extended the second term in both primary and secondary schools by one week to ensure the syllabus is adequately covered.

According to the Ministry of Education, this is part of radical measures to curb cheating during the 2016 national examinations and includes the reorganisation of school term dates, shortening of the examinations period and changing of the exam timetable.

While announcing the initiatives, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i pointed out that term two which was to end on August 5 will be extended to August 12.

“Further to the ongoing preparations for national examinations, the ministry, in consultation with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and in compliance with the provisions of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, specifically Legal Notice No. 135 on Conduct of Examination Rules, we are today announcing new measures meant to improve the administration of this important national exercise,” he stated.

Matiang’i further explained that the extension will accommodate the third term period which is set to commence on August 29 and end on October 28 from standard on to seven and form one to form three.

“The third term is the most important period in the year for candidates both in secondary and primary schools. We have talked to the principals of schools and head teachers and even through our research, we discovered that it is during this third term that our students are lied to and even induced to cheat,” he said.

He stated that there will also no half term breaks during the third term as it will be a period set aside to ensure students revise adequately for the upcoming examinations.

“Third term for all schools (primary and secondary) will commence on August 29 and end on October 28 for standard one to seven and form one to three.”

The ministry and KNEC also agreed to re-organise the examinations period and released a timetable corresponding to the new dates.

“Going forward, the full period for the examinations will be reduced to a maximum of four weeks as follows; the KCPE examinations will start on November 1 and end on November 3, 2016 and the KCSE examinations will start on November 7 and end on November 30, 2016,” Matiang’i stated.

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The Ministry of Education has also banned social and related activities in schools during the third term and scrapped half term breaks during this period.

Matiang’i explained that this will ensure effective preparation for the examinations.

He indicated that there will be no prayer sessions for candidates as has been the case in previous years when parents and outsiders visited schools in the third term.

“Any prayer arrangements, as consistent with normal prayer and worship involving school chaplains and teachers of the school will not be affected. The aim is to avoid unnecessary contacts between the candidates and outsiders during the exam period,” he said.

The Education CS stated that activities such as Annual General Meetings (AGMs), will now be conducted in the first and second terms while prize giving, thanks giving and prayer days for candidates will be done in the second term.

“During the third term, there is no need and space for any activities in our schools. We have agreed and ordered all the county directors of education to ensure that there are no social and related activities in schools during this period. This time will be used to revise for the examinations,” he said.

Matiang’i further announced that the Kenya National Examinations Council will appoint school principals to be in charge of their examination centres and will take full responsibility and accountability for any exam malpractices.

“Together with board of management of their schools, these officials will take full responsibility and accountability for any exam malpractices that may be reported in their centres,” Matiang’i stated.

“KNEC will also identify senior officials and responsible teachers to be supervisors and invigilators of the national examinations.”

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