MoE Address National Exams cheating Concerns
The Ministry of Education in Kenya has taken proactive measures to address the persistent issue of cheating during national examinations. This decision was made evident during a recent press conference focused on the readiness of the education system for upcoming exams.
Education PS Belio Kipsang candidly acknowledged one of the primary factors contributing to cheating: the early access to exam papers by teachers in the morning.
Kipsang highlighted this concern, stating, “Early exposure has been a concern. Teachers receiving exams at 6 am and retaining them has been problematic… This time, we will collect exams twice to prevent early exposure.” The Ministry’s decision to collect exam papers twice demonstrates a commitment to preventing early access and, by extension, cheating.
Moreover, Kipsang noted that they have taken further steps to reduce the risks associated with early exposure. They have increased the number of exam centers, thereby minimizing the distances required to transport exam papers to schools. This strategic move not only enhances logistical efficiency but also serves to reduce the window of opportunity for early exposure.
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The imminent exams, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), are scheduled to commence shortly. KPSEA exams are set to start on Monday, with KCSE exams following on November 6.
Kipsang stressed the gravity of exam leakage, emphasizing that it constitutes a severe offense. He also made a semantic clarification, stating that the recent incidents should be more accurately described as “early exposure” rather than “leakage.”
MoE Address National Exams cheating Concerns
Furthermore, the press conference included the presence of Interior PS Raymond Omollo, who made it clear that exams will proceed in certain areas, such as Kapindasum and Baringo, despite recent security challenges. He expressed confidence in the government’s ability to address these security concerns, ensuring that the examination process remains uninterrupted.
John Tanui, the ICT PS, assured that the necessary technological infrastructure and systems are in place to support communication and logistics during the exams. He expressed confidence in their technology’s capacity to prevent cheating and emphasized the oversight role of the Communications Authority in maintaining surveillance to uphold the integrity of the examination process. This multi-pronged approach underscores the commitment of the Kenyan education system to maintain the credibility of national exams.
