Curb exam cheating
Cheating in the national examinations is a scourge that had become so rampant in the past that it undermined these tests that determine the future of young candidates. The credibility of all the exams is paramount. Through exams, the abilities of the candidates are assessed so that they are placed in the right courses or programmes. Without this, it would be difficult to tell who is fit to do what.
As there seems to be a resurgence in cheating, which happens to be a lucrative illicit business, it is laudable that the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) has stepped up efforts to curb the vice. On Monday, all the 965,501 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam candidates began sitting the theory papers in the 10,755 centres countrywide. In 2023, there were 899,453 candidates. The practical exams have been going on since October 22.
Grade Six learners completed their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) tests last week. Everything went smoothly except for one incident in which pupils were reported to have sat fake exam papers. The authorities should investigate and deal firmly with all the culprits.
Knec Chief Executive Officer David Njeng’ere says examination materials have been transported to 617 distribution centres, up from 576 in 2023. Thanks to various innovations, the early exposure of papers has been eliminated. More exam containers have been provided in some areas to reduce the distance between schools and examination centres and enhance efficiency. To prevent the possibility of sharing examination content on mobile phones, the officials will be required to surrender their handsets to the centre supervisor who will keep them in a secure lockable desk.
As we wish all the candidates success, the Knec must ensure that the exams are efficiently administered to prevent cheating.