Lobby to expel schools over exam cheating

Teachers follow the proceedings during the Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) meeting in Kisumu County on 7th July 2016. KPSA will expel schools involved in exam irregularities starting next year. (PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/ STANDARD)

The Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) will expel schools involved in exam irregularities starting next year.

With the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education three months away, the association has been holding joint forums with private school proprietors across the country in a move aimed at building trust in private schools.

Last year, 5,101 candidates from 305 examination centres had their KCSE results cancelled for engaging in examination irregularities. Out of this, 512 students were from 56 private schools.

KPSA Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndoro, who met players at Golden Elite Academy in Kisumu over the weekend, said the association would ensure no private school falls prey to cheating again.

"As an association, we will disassociate ourselves with anybody or any school which deliberately abets examination cheating. We want teachers to prepare the candidates in the best way possible and let them sit examinations," said Mr Ndoro.

He urged parents to shun those who claim to be selling examination papers.

"If you see any move leading to examination irregularities, resist it completely and report the same to police," he said.

He said the association had already negotiated with the Government to have Form One selection done fairly for all candidates regardless of whether they sit their KCPE in private or public schools.

Ndoro added that the association had also initiated negotiations which would see the Government pay examination fees for children in private schools.

"From next year, all Kenyan children will get Government funding because it is now in the law as spelt out in the Kenya National Examination Council Act which was amended," he said.

Last week, over 500 private school owners met in Kisumu where they asked Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i to ensure credibility in examinations at the ministry level to avert cheating. The three-day conference also discussed the ongoing curriculum development and Form One selection which has been a thorn in their flesh.

Mr Ndori urged private schools to adhere to the new Government policies aimed at promoting examination integrity.

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