As the national examination edge closer, there has been reports of exams being hawked in social media apps and platforms. This includes selling of fake examinations aiming to con unsuspecting, under pressure students, parents and teachers.
Nicholas Kalewa, A Christian Religious Education teacher at St Lilian academin Kiambu has been arrested in connection with the trade. This comes after Nicholas created groups in WhatsApp and Telegram claiming to be Mr Examiner.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, Mr Examiner was selling each paper at Ksh 1500. This is without the answers and Ksh 2000 with answers.
This comes after the Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary introduced ways to curb examination malpractices. The ministry has increased distribution centers, picking papers twice a day and even improving the conditions of markers while marking.
This comes after Committee Confirms Cheating In 2022 Exams, Gives Recommendations where it was reported that untraceable social media apps were used.
With over 900 students and parents in his groups, Mr Kalewa cautioned his members not to engage in stories in his inbox. This is because of the large clientele in his radar. Some parents were suspicious of this and reported the matter to the DCI who acted immediately.
Posing as students who want to buy the said exams, the detectives went to work. After thorough brief Investigation, forensics led the detectives to Kiambu County, Gikambura village. Here is where the suspect was nabbed. Several SIM cards used in the fraud were found in his possession.
Kenya National Examination Council and Directorate of Criminal Investigation have put up several mechanisms in place to ensure that this year’s national exams are of integrity.
We have witnessed years of exam malpractices with culprits getting away with it. According to Machogu, the Education CS, he is ready to tackle this vice for good. This will bring back sanity to national exams and the education system in Kenya at large.
Related:
- Principals Propose Higher Fees From Next Year
- How Tech Is Used In Exam Cheating In Recent Years
- Machogu Introduces New Tactics To Curb Exam Cheating