Someone recently joked that George Magoha’s nose could smell an exam leakage two weeks before it happens. While this was just a joke, it showed how the man cleaned Mtihani House.
Working together with then Education minister Dr Matiang’i, he stamped out veritable string of exam cheating that had brought shame to the country.
He arrived at Knec with the ruthlessness and singularity of mind and quickly conducted structural and administrative reorganisation. All top officials were vetted afresh and those found unsuitable exited.
Those who survived the purge were committed to excellence. And the results showed. In the first year at Knec, the number of candidates scoring grade A and above dropped drastically.
His mantra was “no more stupid As” — a pejorative reference to the previous years when many candidates scored higher grades after cheating in the exams.
Speaking during the release of last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Prof Magoha declared that he was stepping out when his term at Knec ends, which was to be this March.
His inclination was to get out and let others take over and drive the reform process at the council. With the benefit of hindsight, his declaration has come to pass but in a circuitous manner. Yes, he is stepping down as Knec chair but not going away.
He is taking a more powerful and strategic role in examination administration. As Education minister, he will directly be in charge of policy and overall oversight on administration of exams.