The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has filed a petition to stop the Ministry of Education from setting the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations and issuance of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2023 certificates.
KHRC and Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG) filed the petition with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu as respondents.
In a statement on February 14, KHRC said the petition is seeking to temporarily bar the processes until the 2023 KCPE and KCSE results are forensically audited.
KHRC further added that the two bodies want KNEC and CS Machogu to do the audit and publicize the findings.
“KNEC’s handling and/or release of the KCPE examinations 2023 results cast a shadow of doubt, and/or created uncertainty amongst the general public, on the ability (or otherwise capability) of KNEC to discharge the respective mandate of its office as spelt out in the law and the Constitution,” reads part of the petition.
According to the petition, widespread irregularities in last year’s KCPE and KCSE results have triggered this suit.
KCPE 2023 Results
This petition comes after several candidates who sat the 2023 KCPE examinations received conflicting grades after the results were released on November 23.
Additionally, the petitioners argue that the examination body acknowledged these irregularities but did nothing to correct the anomalies.
Also Read: KNEC Releases 2023 KCSE Results Slips & KCPE Certificates
The two bodies further went on to reveal that they made a request to access crucial information from the examination body including KNEC’s policy and guidelines on marking, award of marks and moderation process.
Also, KHRC and EBWG requested to access KNEC examinations guidelines and regulations, policy and guidelines on compiling, verifying, reviewing and reporting examination results.
The petitioners believe that the requested information is crucial in preventing future irregularities in the marking and releasing of national examination results.
According to the petition, KNEC did not however respond, even when the Ombudsman intervened.
KHRC on Marking
Also, the petitioners also argue that KNEC’s grading process is currently unclear.
“Reports indicate that KNEC provides markers with predetermined targets, pushing them to assess a high volume of papers, a practice that may compromise the quality of results, “the statement adds.
Additionally, the human rights’ body noted that conditions under which markers are accommodated during the marking process remain unclear, potentially impacting their mental well-being.
Also Read: KNEC Clarifies Claims of KCSE Result Manipulation
According to the human rights body, lack of such clarity and transparency makes the process of grading opaque and KNEC unaccountable.
As such, the petitioners say the forensic audit should include the process of marking, award of marks, moderation process, compilation, verification, and review of the results.
As per the case, KNEC and CS Machogu have 90 days to complete the audit should the court rule in the petitioners’ favor.
If the court compels KNEC and Education CS to do the audit and fail, the petitioners want an order prohibiting them from “setting and conducting any KCSE examinations.
This also includes the issuing of KCSE examinations results and certificates.
