MPs want tough measures to curb exam cheats

By Wilfred Ayaga

Kenya: A parliamentary committee has asked the national examination body to come up with strict measures to curb cheating.

Education Committee Vice Chairman Julius Melly said integrity in the conduct of exams will boost confidence in Kenya’s education system.

Speaking during the release of the Form Four exams at Mitihani House, Nairobi, Monday, Mr Melly, who is also Tinderet MP, told the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) to end cheating in national examinations.

 “As a parliamentary committee, we call upon the examination body to put in place water-tight mechanisms to ensure the credibility and security of exams is upheld,” he said. “Students should acquire certificates that are globally acceptable,” Melly said.

The MP also asked Knec to make sure that the shift to digital processes in the exams is properly implemented. The digitisation programme, being undertaken jointly with the Institute of Curriculum Development is designed to convert education material, data, curriculum and the dispensing of examinations into an electronic format. 

The Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang echoed the sentiments, underscoring the Education Committee’s role in the success of the project.

“The committee has been key in integrating ICT in education as we look forward to providing examinations on a digital platform in future,” Kipsang said. The House Committee said it was closely monitoring the implementation of the free laptop project for primary school children.

Melly said the committee has put in place mechanisms to ensure that transparency informs the tendering process of the laptops. “The role of the committee is to oversight the process. We would like to ensure that due process is followed. We are closely monitoring the programme,” he said.

Laptop tender

The Sh24 billion laptop programme has been earmarked to benefit over 1.3 million pupils in the country’s primary schools. Olive Technology of India has already been awarded the contract to supply the laptops.  The tendering process has, however, been shrouded in controversy with one of the companies that lost out in the bid appealing the process.

MPs have also raised questions on how the tender was awarded.  Melly said the committee would look into the whole tendering process to ensure it was above board.