English, Kiswahili top irregularities

By AUGUSTINE ODUOR

Kiswahili and English were the most affected by irregularities with 7,974 candidates involved in cheating in 334 schools in the KCPE exam.

At least 5,495 candidates colluded to cheat in English and 2,427 in Kiswahili, according to figures in the just released KCPE results.

This perhaps explains the poor performance in the two subjects.

Kiswahili Lugha recorded the worst performance, posting a mean score of 41.46 per cent.

English Composition followed with 42.45 per cent.

Mathematics and science subjects registered 105 and 125 candidates involved in cheating.

However, science posted the best results with a mean score of 67.48 per cent.

Migori County led in the number of candidates who engaged in examination malpractice with 647 cases reported. At least 25 schools from the county were involved in the vice.

Kakamega County came second in irregularities with 642 candidates in 21 schools. Homa Bay and Nairobi counties registered 631 and 626 candidates involved in cheating with 27 and 17 schools.

Collusion

Other counties that registered high numbers of examination irregularities include Bomet, Nyamira and Mombasa with some 547, 475 and 444 candidates respectively.

In the county ranking on examination irregularities, Wajir had 44 candidates, Lamu and Murang’a 11 and 13 candidates while Garissa, West Pokot, Baringo and Trans Nzoia had 30, 32, 25 and 35, respectively.

Tana River County registered nine only.

Releasing the results on Wednesday, Education Minister Sam Ongeri said only four counties — Nyeri, Turkana, Laikipia and Busia — were not involved in the malpractice.

Collusion was the dominant form of cheating followed by the use of notes and impersonation.

Prof Ongeri said a District Education Officer and head teacher threatened a supervisor with death if a cheating case was reported.

The Standard also learnt that the candidates who used a slipper and the blue garment that had answers written on them also came from Wajir.

In Coast, more than ten private schools had their results cancelled due to collusion, PDE Tom Majani has said.

And in Kwale, four private schools missed their results.

"It is true we have more than 10 schools, I cannot say if they are private or public, which the Government has withheld the results," he said.

Elsewhere, 45 pupils of Yenga Primary School in Ugenya, Siaya County were in shock after their English results were cancelled.

There are claims that a teacher employed by the parents leaked the English paper to the pupils a day before the examination.

Ugenya DC Caroline Onchoka ordered the District Education Officer to investigate the matter and take action against the culprits.

"We shall not entertain such behaviour and the person involved must face the law because he or she can not play around with the future of innocent children," said Mrs Onchoka.

leakage

Some pupils confided that a teacher summoned them the night before the English exams for revision that turned out to be the leakage of the real examination.

Shocked parents discussed the issue in low tones after they were informed that the Parents Teachers Association employed teachers got the English papers from a lecturer at one of the public universities.

Parents led by area councillor Sylvester Wire yesterday stormed the school following the turn of events.

The top pupil in the school scored a paltry 282 marks.

Mr Wire who is also the Ukwala Town Council chairman told the headmaster Joseph Ochieng to ensure the teacher was apprehended to explain the matter.

— Additional reporting by George Olwenya