Teachers aid exam cheating for promotions, MPs told

Hellen Nyabuto the principal of Moi Kapsowar Girls' High School in Elgeyo Marakwet County explains how they use CCTV to curb exam cheating. [File, Standard]

Teachers and parents have alleged that some teachers were aiding examination irregularities to earn promotions.

Speaking to the National Assembly Committee on Education in Eldoret, a teacher called for an investigation into the deployment of examination supervisors and invigilators, claiming it was a scheme used by some officials and school heads to facilitate cheating.

"TSC has been promoting teachers based on performance in national examinations. Many teachers are tempted to aid malpractices for their students to pass, and as a result, get their promotions," the teacher said.

According to the committee, education stakeholders raised questions about a number of schools where cheating in last year's exams is alleged to have taken place.

The committee commenced investigations into alleged examinations cheating in the last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), which raised eyebrows after some schools recorded a sharp increase in mean grades.

The committee said schools accused of condoning irregularities during the hearings would have an opportunity to tell their story.

Nyamira Woman Rep Jerusha Momanyi said the team, which began sittings in Nakuru on Monday, will table its report within two months. She said the report would lay ground for radical measures to guide how national examinations are managed.

Lugari MP Nabwera Nabii said the team engaged experts to validate received claims.

He said the experts would analyse data on schools' performances while subjecting information gathered to parameters used to determine the natural increase in mean grades. "The general feeling is that there is a problem in our examination management systems."

Moiben MP Phylis Bartoo said if not checked, cheating will dent the integrity of the country's education system.