By MAURICE KALUOCH mkaluoch@ke.nationmedia.com

This year's Form Four national examinations will start earlier than usual. The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) tests that have always commenced after Mashujaa Day on October 20, will now start two days early, on October 18. This new date was in a circular on the timetable and regulations sent to schools by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec).

However, no reason was given for the change. The timetable indicates that this year's first exam â€" English Paper One(Functional Skills) â€" is slated for Tuesday, October 18, between 8.30am and 10.30am. It will be followed by English Paper Two (Comprehension, Literary Appreciation and Grammar) from 11.15am to 1.45pm.

The curtain falls on the exams on Monday, November 14, when Music students sit their paper between 11.45am and 2.15pm. The circular, dated October 2011 and signed by Knec chief executive Paul Wasanga, has put in place stringent measures to guard against examination malpractices, including the use of mobile phones by invigilators, security officers and school heads.

Invigilators and security officers will be barred from entering examination rooms with their phones. However, supervisors and school heads may keep their phones for use should there be an emergency, but this ought to be communicated to the education officials or Knec. The head teachers will also be barred from accessing surplus question papers. They will only be allowed to do so after the exam.

In seeking to implement the Knec guidelines, some schools have already banned visits to their schools during the examination period. Briefing a parents' meeting at Homa Bay's Ogande Girls' Secondary School at the weekend, principal Rose Ombewa announced October 1 as the last visiting day for parents and relatives. â€Å"We want to ensure compliance with the Knec guidelines so that our school does not fall victim of examination irregularities,â€Â� said Mrs Ombewa.