Security boost planned to curb exam cheating

Education secretary Jacob Kaimenyi (centre) Prof Kaimenyi said they were not taking the Knec alert lightly and warned candidates against engaging in exam irregularities. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Last week, the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) raised the alarm over possible cases of cheating in Mombasa, Nairobi, Garissa, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and Mandera.

Security will be boosted in areas where the examinations council fears candidates will engage in cheating during national tests.

Ministry officials had met with security personnel and asked them to be vigilant in the areas where cheating is likely to occur, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.

Last week, the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) raised the alarm over possible cases of cheating in Mombasa, Nairobi, Garissa, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and Mandera.

Prof Kaimenyi said they were not taking the Knec alert lightly and warned candidates against engaging in exam irregularities.

“We have decided that security is going to be beefed up in schools around regions mentioned by the Knec CEO that are likely engage in cheating.

On high alert

“We are not going to allow anyone to disrupt the examinations.

What was mentioned is a very serious matter,” said the minister after presiding over the graduation ceremony at the International College of Dentists in Mombasa last weekend.

He said Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang had met all exam stakeholders, including security organs, and asked the National Intelligence Service to be on high alert.

Prof Kaimenyi asked invigilators and supervisors to be vigilant and ensure that candidates did not copy each other’s answers.

He warned that candidates caught cheating would not be allowed to sit national exams again, adding that they would be prosecuted.

Te minister also warned teachers who colluded with candidates in cheating that they would be sacked if caught and prosecuted.

Collusion, impersonation and smuggling of unauthorised materials such as notes and hand-out's into exam rooms are some of the forms of cheating noted during exams.
Prof Kaimenyi warned parents and head teachers against registering underage students for national exams.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination starts tomorrow with practicals.

Some 449,246 candidates are registered for the exam, while 844,475 candidates are listed for the Kenya Certificate in Primary Education (KCPE) exam that begins on November 12.