KCSE exam starts amid security, pay concerns

Candidates taking the 2024 KCSE exam started their practical examinations yesterday for select subjects, including French, German, Kenya Sign Language, Music, and Arabic. 

Education stakeholders however raised concerns over the smooth administration of the examination, stemming from logistical challenges in some areas and security concerns in other areas.

Teachers unions called for security measures be put in place to ensure smooth operations amid terror, and heavy rains concerns.

Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary-General Collins Oyuu raised concerns over the security situation in Lamu, Northern Kenya over terror volatility and parts of West Pokot and Baringo over banditry.

“We have insecurity in some areas that don’t give conducive atmosphere for exams to operate very freely, we ask that the government ensures security is offered in this areas so that this exams are not interfered with,” Oyuu said on Tuesday.

He also pointed to short rains set expected in November as a possible risk to the smooth running of the exams set to run for three weeks.

Teachers unions on Tuesday asked the government to put in place contingency measures to address insecurity, flooding and emerging issues that may affect the administration of the exams.

In Bobasi, for example, residents expressed fears over the collapse of a bridge crucial for transportation of examination materials to and from the schools.

Unions are also concerned about compensation for exam markers.  Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Secretary-General Akello Misori requested the Ministry of Education to increase the daily rate for examiners. 

In a letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the union wants compensation of examination officials increased.

The letter by Misori wants invigilators’ daily pay increased to Sh3,000 from Sh400 and for supervisors to Sh3,500 from Sh450.

Union also wants compensation for principals acting as examination centre managers to Sh4,500 from Sh800.

“We wouldn’t wish to see any standoffs by teachers refusing to mark the exams because of being exposed to environments that are not conducive.” Misori said.

The details emerged at the start of the KCSE practical exams yesterday with theory papers set to begin next week.

On Tuesday, leaders, including President William Ruto, impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, sent their best wishes to the candidates.  “Today is a defining moment as you write the exam and secure your future. I wish you resounding success.” Gachagua posted on the X platform.

First Lady Rachael Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also sent their well wishes.

 The KCSE exam will run from October 22 to November 22.

Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) assessment, scheduled to replace the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) is scheduled from October 28 to 30, with 1,303,913 candidates taking the tests in 35,573 centres

It will be the first time in 39 years that learners will not be taking the KCPE exam that was discontinued in 2023 after the exit of the last class of the 8-4-4 education system.

This year, 965,501 candidates will sit KCSE in 10,755 exam centres.