The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has released a list of dos and don’ts that must be followed throughout the examination period.
Both candidates and exam administrators will be affected by the rigorous restrictions, which include severe fines.
During the KCPE and KCSE exams, candidates will not be given any additional time.
Unnecessary movements by candidates will not be tolerated while the examinations are taking place. Only special cases will be authorized with the supervisor’s permission.
Any form of communication between candidates and strangers, whether inside or outside the school compound, has been prohibited by the Council.
“No communication whatsoever in whatever manner between candidates or with outsiders is allowed during the examination,” read the rules.
According to KNEC, any form of misbehavior on the part of candidates will be treated as an attempt to cheat in the exams.
Candidates who will engage in any form of misconduct or cause disturbance in or near the examination room will be treated as an irregularity.
Candidates who are caught disclosing their question answers for fellow students to see inside the examination rooms will be penalised as well.
It is strongly encouraged that candidates do not leave a sheet of paper on which they have written or their answers in such a manner that another candidate can read them.
You should not give or obtain unfair assistance, or attempt to do so, whether by copying or in any other way, and your work should not show proof of such unfair” reads the rules
Any candidates who will prepare short notes and carry them to the examination room will also be punished.
“You are not allowed to have in your possession or in your proximity while in the examination room, any book, notes, papers or any other materials whatsoever except the correct question papers and any materials expressly authorised by the Knec,” read the guidelines.
KNEC says that no person will be allowed to gain access to examination material and knowingly reveal the contents, whether orally or in writing, to an unauthorised party, whether a candidate or not.
It will also be punishable for any person to maliciously damage examination material, as this will attract imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding Sh5 million or both.
KNEC also cautioned against impersonation and warned those who intend to sit the examinations on behalf of candidates. The Council says that in the event the impostor is a student, they will be prohibited from taking an examination conducted by or on behalf of the Council for three years.
It will also be an offense to posses and use mobile phones in the examination centres, save for authorised officers. Candidates, supervisors, invigilators or head teachers will not enter an examination room with phones or other electronic devices.
Supervisors and head teachers should keep their mobile phones and electronic devices in the office for use in emergencies that must be communicated to Knec. Candidates caught with mobile phones or electronic devices will have their results cancelled.
The candidates are required to be seated in the exam room 15 minutes before the time the exam is scheduled to begin, arriving 30 minutes late will see the candidate barred from seating for the paper.
“Present yourself for a search outside the examination room and be seated at your desk table by 15 minutes before the time scheduled for that paper. Morning sessions will start at 8.30am,” the guidelines read in part.
A total of 1,225,693 candidates enrolled for the 2021 KCPE, while 831,026 enrolled for this year’s KCSE examination.
KCPE exam will be taken between March 7, 2022, and March 9, 2022. KCSE exam, on the other hand, will run from February 28, 2022, to April 1, 2022.
