The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya has issued a directive regarding the administration of the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination. This directive, as announced by TSC boss Nancy Macharia, signifies a crucial alignment with the regulations set forth by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC). In essence, the directive stipulates that only secondary school teachers will exclusively oversee and invigilate the KCSE examination this year.
With over 900,000 Form Four students preparing to sit for this significant examination, the TSC’s decision holds great weight. The directive seeks to ensure that the examination process adheres to established standards and protocols.
Nancy Macharia, the CEO of the Teachers Service Commission, disclosed that a total of 101,376 secondary school teachers have been meticulously recruited to oversee the examination in all examination centers across the country. The selection of these teachers followed a rigorous vetting process conducted by the TSC, emphasizing the importance of quality and integrity in the administration of the KCSE.
It’s noteworthy that primary school teachers, who played a vital role in last week’s Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination, will not be involved in the administration of the KCSE. This demarcation is consistent with the KNEC regulations, as highlighted by Nancy Macharia.
Macharia’s statements were made during her visit to Mombasa, where she supervised the distribution of KCSE examination papers. Despite challenges posed by heavy rains in the region, the examinations commenced smoothly in all six counties along the coast. This success reflects the meticulous preparations and arrangements put in place to ensure the nationwide distribution of the exams.
Furthermore, Macharia expressed her confidence in the collaborative efforts of a multi-agency team working across the country to ensure a seamless examination period, even in areas that may present logistical challenges. In cases where access to remote areas is difficult, the government has standby helicopters to airlift the exams, indicating a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
As of now, there have been no reported challenges, and the TSC is focused on maintaining a neutral, unbiased, and meticulously organized KCSE examination, upholding the standards of education in Kenya.
This directive underscores the critical role that secondary school teachers play in ensuring the smooth conduct of the KCSE examination, reinforcing the importance of adherence to regulations and the dedication to providing a fair and unbiased educational assessment for Kenyan students.