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The national examinations season has kicked off in earnest with Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) once again in the spotlight.

Parents whose children are writing the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) tests anticipate that Knec will deliver credible national exams free of cheating and other malpractices.

As the country transitions from the old 8-4-4 curriculum to the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC), the ultimate credibility of national exams should not be just a matter of routine but the cornerstone of a robust education system that will spur national development.

The entire examination process should reflect the academic journey of children who is rightfully guided in every stage of learning from the early childhood level to institutions of higher learning and the time they eventually pick a career that best suits the strengths they exhibit.

Suggestions have been made publicly on the need to lower stakes accorded national examinations as the first step in efforts to curb malpractices, including withdrawing armed policemen from examination centres and ending the grading of candidates according to marks attained.

In the past, private school owners were accused of abetting cheating so that their schools could attain high grades in national exams and attract more business.

Knec must therefore ensure that national examinations become the bedrock of academic integrity rather than a scheme for school owners to enrich themselves.

National exams must offer an objective assessment of students’ knowledge, cognitive strengths and skills by providing a level playing field where merit is the sole criterion.

Exams should not be a cause of jittery among students, because they can trust that their hard work and dedication will be fairly evaluated.

This trust is fundamental in maintaining student motivation and upholding the value of educational achievements. It also ensures that students from all backgrounds, whether urban or rural, have equal opportunities to excel in their after-school life.