The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) written examination has kicked off today with over 700,000 candidates.
The candidates are currently tackling English paper two after completing English Paper one.
Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia says 227,000 teachers are overseeing the exam process throughout the country, urging them to exercise integrity.
Meanwhile, the Kenya National Examination Council John Onsati has guaranteed of exam security in Nyeri county.
He also said 18,532 students are sitting for the exams from 246 centres in the county.
The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association National Chairman Kahi Indimuli has lauded the government for releasing sh7.5 billion. The money has allowed the headteachers to prepare for the examination.
He said, “Those who had taken examination items on loan have paid; those who had not purchased any materials for practical subjects can also do so.”
“Some schools had run out of food and this was a major setback especially for the candidates who needed a good studying environment,” he added.
Indimuli said that lack of the funds had slowed down preparations for the practical examinations, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Jwan said the remaining will be sent to schools in the next month.
He said, “We have at least made some good progress in managing crises in the secondary schools by releasing part of the money, and we hope that examination administration can now progress well.”
The candidates will take the weekend off then embark on Mathematics paper 1, 2 and Chemistry paper 1 on Monday the 29th of March.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha cautioned against cheating, adding that safety COVID-19 measures will be taken.
He said, “The practice will remain the same and cheating will still be strictly monitored. Full compliance with Covid-19 protocols is a must and centre managers, invigilators and supervisors must perform their duties diligently.”