Brainstar Schools in Isiolo recently brought to light a peculiar occurrence that reverberated through the educational landscape: the majority of their candidates achieved an identical score of 75 marks in the Science paper during the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination. This revelation has sparked discussions about the integrity of our examination process.
David Njengere, the CEO of the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), addressed this issue. He asserted that while it might raise eyebrows, such a phenomenon does not automatically indicate foul play. According to Njengere, the multiple-choice nature of the Science paper allows candidates to achieve matching scores without engaging in malpractices.
Njengere stated, “Knec has meticulously scrutinized the school’s results, considering reports from examination centers and anonymous letters; however, no evidence implicates the school in any examination malpractices.”
Acknowledging concerns about errors in the SMS code results and differentiating them from the accurate results on the Knec portal, our CEO highlighted configuration issues as the culprits. These discrepancies directly impacted schools such as Brainstar; however, swift action was taken to rectify this problem.
The anomalies, notably, transcended simple numerical consistency: some candidates encountered a discordance between their marks and grades in Kiswahili, instances where Kenyan Sign Language superseded the intended language. Moreover, errors materialized within the grading of Science, Social Studies, and Religious Education, as plus and minus signs deviated from their correct placement.
Njengere addressed these concerns, disclosing that 133 candidates suffered adverse effects. He assured us: Knec promptly reviewed all appeals and updated the results for those affected. To mitigate the impact of SMS errors, Njengere offered this advice to candidates: procure your official provisional results slips from your respective schools.
“Njengere emphasized that candidates should visit their schools, collect the official provisional results slips, and raise any queries about their results for review within the stipulated 30-day period.”
The echoes of uniform Science scores vibrate; in response, Knec strategically measures and invites reflection. This introspection focuses on the nuanced intricacies of examination evaluation, a necessity for addressing technical discrepancies with vigilance. The captivating chapter that Brainstar Schools in Isiolo authored stirs scrutiny: an integral part of Kenya’s education system narrative continues unabatedly, prompting both introspection and critical analysis.