After a public outcry on the genuineness of the 2022 examination results, a parliamentary committee has released a report about the 2022 KNEC exams confirming cases of cheating.
According to the committee, 68 cases were before the Directorate of Criminal Investigation with 44 pending investigation, 17 are acyive court cases and only 6 have been determined.
Mobile phones, impersonation and written materials are some of the ways that the cheating occurred. Most of the malpractices according to the committee happened even due to early examination exposure.
Different players in the preparation and marking of exams were interviewed. Examination markers for instance noted similar answers and a case study in Meru where there were students who wrote wrong but similar answers.
Technology also played a huge role in the irregularities. The committee was informed that apps like Signal and Telegram were used to leak contents of the exams.
Pressure on students to perform well and join good universities. The committee recommended that KNEC considers formative and summative evaluation scores for university admission
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Higher mean grades as a requirement for principals to get promotions “motivates” cheating. Recommendations proposed are that TSC should consider other parameters like:
- Discipline
- Teacher development
- Co-curricular activities.
Principals should also manage exams outside their sub counties.
To avoid getting compromised, exam officials should also not be allowed to oversee the process in one center for more than two consecutive years.
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Higher penalties to perpetrators should be introduced and followed to the latter to discourage students and teachers from engaging in the vice.
Installation of CCTV cameras in examination centers was another recommendation given by the committee to ensure timely and accurate observation.
An observation was also made that examination containers were far from exam centers. Therefore, they should be moved closer to the centers to prevent early exam exposure.
These recommendations have been made ahead of the 2023 national exams. We hope measures will be taken to reduce irregularities this year.