PS Belio Kipsang Says Mid-Year KCSE Reverts to November After Court Ruling

The Ministry of Education has announced plans to halt the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) initially scheduled to take place in July this year.

Addressing the press on Thursday, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang stated that the government would comply with the court order that suspended the national examinations.

Kipsang reiterated that candidates initially registered for the July series could potentially sit for the November KCSE examinations in case the court fails to lift the prevailing orders.

His sentiments followed a High Court ruling on Wednesday, January 29, that suspended the July KCSE exam pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

Kisii High Court Lady Justice Teresia Achieng, while suspending the national examinations, revealed that the petition met the threshold for a conservatory order.

The court suspended the mid-year exams after Nakuru Doctor Magare Gikenyi filed an application challenging the Kenya National Examination Council’s (KNEC) decision to offer KCSE exams in July.

In his petition, Magare argued that KNEC’s plan to administer a mid-year series violated the constitution by undermining the rule of law and principles of good governance.

Gikenyi further faulted the examination council for failing to involve the relevant stakeholders in the decision-making process. “Changing the exam dates abruptly without consulting affected learners, parents, and stakeholders goes against the legitimate expectations of the candidates and their right to fair administrative action,” Gikenyi argued.

According to the petitioner, the new guidelines created two separate categories of students, with the July cohort having limited preparation time compared to their November counterparts.

KNEC recently announced plans to administer KCSE examinations in July for candidates who intended to resit for the papers, noting that the examinations would be conducted between July 1 and August 1.

KNEC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Njengere on Saturday, January 25, clarified that the July series was specifically meant for learners who skipped the previous examinations and not regular students.

“We cannot allow students who have not completed the four-year curriculum to sit for these exams. The July series is particularly intended for those who were unable to sit for the examinations due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness,” Njengere stated.