Teachers and supervisors over exam cheating...

Kenya National Examinations Council has admitted to a prevalence of exam cheating in the ongoing Form Four examinations.

School heads, teachers, supervisors and invigilators are now being blamed for the malpractice.

KNEC chief executive Paul Wasanga claimed that teachers are opening packages containing the exam scripts before the exam begins and coaching candidates.

“We have noted with concern that most of the people perpetrating the cheating are teachers, supervisors and invigilators.

“It is a worrying situation where the custodians of the exam are the ones compromising the integrity of the exam,” said Mr Wasanga

QUESTION FOR SALE

According to him, a high number of university students are also in contact with exam supervisors who leak exams using mobile phones.

“The CID has recovered four mobile phones with extracts of questions similar to the ones in the genuine examination,” he said.

It was also alleged that some supervisors and teachers copy questions and use them to solicit for funds from the candidates.

The students then peddle them to Form Four candidates with one question retailing for as low as Sh50.

The proceeds would then be shared between supervisors and the university students.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARRESTED

Police have arrested a Kisii University student who was receiving examination materials from a teacher in Lwanda Secondary School, Homabay County.

“Students in JKUAT and Egerton University have also joined the cartel; we have an Egerton University student who is sending materials to teachers in Makueni County,” Mr Wasanga noted.

He said that out of the 19 people arrested country wide for exam cheating, four of them are from Kisii University.

“Those who have been caught are those who have managed to get the questions immediately the examination package has been opened,” said Mr Wasanga.

COACHING CANDIDATES

The council highlighted incidents in Marsabit and Kisii counties where some principals and teachers were reported to be assisting the candidates in cheating.

Mombasa, Nyanza, Western, Kisii and Eldoret were also cited in the report.

In Eldoret, the principal at St Clement Secondary School was arrested when he was found with examination material on his mobile phone.

Nyaganyo Secondary School head teacher was arrested after she was found coaching candidates in the examination room.

The candidates were sitting for the Mathematics Paper One.

Mr Wasanga said exam cheats also taken advantage of the time before the exam papers arrive at the school.

“The supervisors pick the exam from the police armouries at 6 am and the exams start at 8 am.

“Some of them open the sealed exams, copy one or two questions and reseal the package,” said Mr Wasanga.

-Nation.co.ke