Controversy erupts over exam reuse claims as KCSE kicks off

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has found itself at the center of a storm following allegations of recycling a significant portion of past Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam questions. Dr. Purity Ngina of the Zizi Afrique Foundation recently called out KNEC, accusing the council of reusing approximately 60 per cent of questions from previous years.

Ngina highlighted how this practice provides an unfair advantage to schools that can afford to hire experts to analyze recurring question patterns. Such schools, armed with historical insights, can guide their students to focus on specific areas, leading to potentially inflated marks.

Pointing to the implications of these actions, Ngina emphasized that the lack of fresh, high-level thinking questions undermines the credibility of the examination system, often giving the illusion of exceptional performance where students have merely memorized answers to previously recycled questions.

In light of these claims, Tinderet MP, Julius Meli, has called for the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) to step in and provide oversight for KNEC, suggesting the need for an annual examination process audit to ensure transparency and fairness.

As the KCSE exams commenced on October 23, 2023, and are set to conclude on November 24, 2023, the country gears up for the upcoming KCPE and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA). Candidates and students are encouraged to remain focused, believe in themselves, and approach the exams with confidence. The importance of adequate preparation for this significant educational milestone cannot be overstated.

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