TSC investigates 56 teachers in cheating racket

KNUT Secretary General Wilson with Teachers Service Commission boss Nancy Macharia during the release of the 2019 KCPE results in Nairobi. [David Njaaga, Standard]

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is investigating 56 teachers over their role in attempted cheating in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.

TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia said the teachers would be punished for causing some "missteps" during the tests. 

The offences included being in possession of mobile phones, witnessing attempted early exposure of examination papers and blatant disregard for examination regulations.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, however, said only four candidates were disqualified over impersonation.

“I wish to commend all officials involved in the examinations for stamping out cheating,” he said on Monday when releasing the results.

Prof Magoha added that the traditional forms of malpractice, such as leakages and outright cheating in exam halls, had been wiped out.

“The examination administration measures we put in place continue to assist us to nip in the bud some of the cases that would have led to cheating,” he said.

Dr Macharia added that the accused teachers would get the chance to defend themselves against the accusations of exam irregularities, while the best performers would be feted.

“The TSC will soon recognise the teachers who took extraordinary steps to stop cheating in the KCPE examination,” she said.

Macharia congratulated teachers on doing an excellent job overall, noting that thousands of them were engaged as centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and examiners.

“These assignments required of them to rise up as early as 5am daily. As a matter of fact, we would not be here were it not for their effort," she said.

"I note with satisfaction that 99.99 per cent of the teachers did their work perfectly."

Macharia announced that the TSC was working on improving terms and working conditions.

“We recognise that our teachers need to get better terms of service, even as we demand more from them. As a result, we have already initiated the process of negotiating the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement,” said Dr Macharia.

TSC held a three-day retreat with Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) officials to discuss proposals tabled by the union.