In a story of accountability and redemption, eleven students from St. Mark’s Nyamninia Secondary School in Siaya County have been granted the opportunity to rewrite their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams after their results were canceled due to examination malpractices.
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) confirmed their involvement in prohibited practices during the 2024 exams, leading to the cancellation of their results.
Principal Thomas Obura revealed that KNEC, after consultations, had agreed to register the affected students for this year’s national examination. The school, which registered 181 candidates for the 2024 KCSE, received results for 170 students. The principal expressed gratitude for the council’s decision to allow the eleven students to redeem themselves academically.
“Out of the 181 candidates enrolled last year, we received results for 170. Unfortunately, 11 students had their results cancelled. However, after consultations with KNEC, we have made arrangements to enrol them for the exams this year,” Obura stated.
To prevent a recurrence of such malpractices, the school has pledged to strictly enforce KNEC’s updated guidelines and foster a culture of integrity among its students.
“We understand the gravity of the situation, but we are grateful to KNEC for allowing these students a second chance. It is our responsibility to guide them through this process to ensure they adhere to the rules and regain their credibility,” Obura emphasized.
The eleven students are now preparing to sit for the exams alongside this year’s cohort. The school administration has committed to monitoring their progress closely, providing additional support to help them succeed and uphold academic integrity.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in curbing exam cheating in Kenyan schools. It also reflects KNEC’s dual approach of enforcing strict measures to deter malpractices while offering affected students a path to recovery.
Meanwhile, KNEC recently announced plans to phase out the current KCSE examination system. This decision signals an upcoming transformation in the country’s education assessment framework, potentially incorporating more robust measures to ensure fairness and transparency.
The eleven students’ journey serves as a reminder of the importance of second chances in education. With support from the school and adherence to strict examination guidelines, these students now have an opportunity to rebuild their futures and restore the reputation of St. Mark’s Nyamninia Secondary School.
