Examination irregularities drop by 22pc

NAIROBI: At least 2,975 candidates were involved examination irregularities in last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

Of the candidates involved in the vice, 2,410 colluded during the examination, 209 were caught with unauthorised materials, 179 were caught with mobile phones in the examination centres while 20 had been impersonated.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi while releasing the KCSE results yesterday said the stringent measures put in place bore fruit as the number of candidates involved in the examination irregularities reduced from 3,812 in 2013 to 2,975 last year.

This represents 22 per cent decrease in the number of candidates involved in the vice which stood at 174 compared to 199 in 2013.

"The reduction is lauded, but we should continue being vigilant because we should not have candidates engaging in examination irregularities in the first place," said Prof Kaimenyi.

Five National schools, County and Sub County schools had the highest number of candidates involved in examination irregularities.

Kaimenyi regretted that National schools get placement of the best students and its disheartening that they could be involved in the vice.

The situation was made worse by the fact that some head teachers and other teachers entrusted with the responsibility of moulding the students were at the forefront of perpetuating the vice.

The CS warned that the Ministry and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will work together and ensure that stern action is taken against teachers who aided exam cheating.

Findings from various studies reveal that school factors such as leadership styles adopted, ranking of schools by the media after results are released and mobile phones at 38 per cent are among the factors affecting the management of KCSE examinations and subsequently contributing significantly to cases of irregularities.

At least seven counties that did not get involved in exam cheating were Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Lamu, Nyandarau, Marsabit and Nyamira.

Siaya County TSC Director Daniel Cherutoyi attributed the success of zero exam malpractice to sensitisation and efficient invigilation of the exams. Kirinyaga, Muranga, Embu, Isiolo, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Laikipia and Kajiado counties had fewer than five candidates involved in cheating.