All Regional Directors of Education
All County Directors of Education
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
JOGOO HOUSE “B” HARAMBEE AVENUE
P.O. BOX 30040,
NAIROBI
21st January, 2021.
RE: PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2021 EXAMINATIONS BY THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
Further to the ongoing preparations for national examinations, the Ministry in consultation with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and in compliance with the provisions of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, specifically Legal Notice No.135 on Conduct of Examination Rules and in line with the Ministry of Health Protocols on Covid-19, is announcing measures meant to improve the administration of this important national exercise and control spread of Covid-19 in schools.
These measures include the reorganization of school term dates, the examinations period, change of examination timetable, ban of social and related activities in schools during national examination term and scrapping of half term breaks during the national examination term.
1. REORGANISATION OF TERM DATES AND MID-TERM BREAKS
Third Term/Second Term (National Examination Term) for all schools (Primary and Secondary) commenced on 4th January, 2021 and ends on 19th March, 2021.
Unlike the current practice, there will be no half term break during Second Term/Third Term given the short period and the need to adequately and effectively prepare for the National Examinations.
2. EXAMINATION PERIOD AND TIME TABLE
The Ministry and stakeholders including KNEC have agreed to reorganize the examinations period and hence released a timetable corresponding to the new dates.
3. BAN ON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THIRD TERM
To control and ensure effective preparation for the examinations, it has become necessary to control extra-curricular and social activities during the Second/Third Term (National Examination Term).
Like in previous years, there will be no prayer sessions for candidates involving parents and outsiders in schools during the Third Term (National Examination Term).
However, any prayer arrangements as consistent with Covid-19 protocols involving school chaplains and teachers will be allowed.
The aim is to avoid unnecessary contacts between candidates/ students and outsiders during the exam period/Covid-19 Pandemic period.
4. APPOINfMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PRINCIPALS AND HEAD TEACHERS
The KNEC will appoint school principals and head teachers to be in charge of their examination centres with the assistance of carefully selected supervisors.
Together with Board of Management (BOM) of their schools, these officials will take full responsibility and accountability for any exam malpractices that may be reported in their centres.
KNEC will also identify senior officials and selected teachers to be supervisors and invigilators of the National Examinations.
Dr. Belio Kipsang, CBS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
