KCSE Exam Fraud: 70 Teachers Arrested, Dozens of Schools Probed.
Errant teachers have orchestrated elaborate schemes to bypass surveillance and assist students in cheating during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
Over the past three weeks, at least 70 teachers have been arrested nationwide for undermining the integrity of the exams. These educators face legal charges and uncertainty about their careers.
More than 20 schools are also being closely monitored for alleged involvement in exam malpractices. Authorities have flagged some institutions with a history of cheating for enhanced scrutiny.
This follows efforts by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to close previous loopholes that allowed exam leaks before the official schedule.
Methods of Exam Fraud
Cheating has become an internal affair involving principals, supervisors, invigilators, other teaching and non-teaching staff, and even parents.
Security officers deployed at exam centers have also been implicated for accepting bribes to turn a blind eye.
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In Homa Bay County, eight teachers from Pala Masogo Secondary School were arrested for photocopying Chemistry exam papers. Reports reveal that over 40 teachers arrested so far are from the Nyanza region.
Credible sources describe the methods used, including creating environments where candidates carry unauthorized materials, collaborate freely, and receive external assistance during exams.
Teachers posing as support staff, such as secretaries or bursars, have been caught tampering with exam materials. Some invigilators reportedly take photographs of question papers or photocopy them, which are then solved by subject teachers and sent back into the exam room.
Role of Parents and Pressure on Teachers
The Ministry of Education has highlighted the role of parents in financing these schemes. Parents allegedly mobilize funds to bribe officials administering the examinations. Additionally, societal pressure on teachers to deliver good grades contributes to their involvement.
Teachers often face demands from parents and school boards to improve performance, which can influence promotions by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The TSC uses students’ performance as a key criterion for promotions, further intensifying pressure on educators. In June, school principals urged the TSC to revise the promotion criteria to focus on holistic student development instead of exam results.
Response and Countermeasures
KNEC has implemented several strategies to curb exam malpractice:
- Personalized Exam Papers: Question papers now feature unique security marks. If images of a paper are leaked, forensic analysis can trace the candidate, school, and officials involved.
- Double Collection: Center managers now collect afternoon papers only two hours before the exam to limit early exposure.
- Rotation of Officials: Supervisors and invigilators are rotated weekly to prevent familiarity with school staff.
Despite these measures, challenges persist. In Nyamira County, candidates deflated the tires of KNEC officials’ vehicles to hinder monitoring. Invigilators have also been accused of warning candidates to hide unauthorized materials during external inspections.
Impact of Cheating
Exam cheating incidents compromise the credibility of Kenya’s education system. During the release of the 2023 KCSE results, KNEC CEO David Njeng’ere reported 4,113 candidates and 120 contracted professionals involved in irregularities.
Some teachers’ names have already been submitted to the TSC for disciplinary action, with the full list expected at the conclusion of the exams. The Ministry of Education plans to provide a comprehensive report on the cases once the exams end.
Call for Change
The principals’ annual conference resolved that exams should be shielded from political interference and promotion criteria revised.
There are also calls for stricter measures to address parent-driven pressure and systemic corruption that undermine education quality.
ALSO READ: KCSE National Exams Not Leaked, Says Education PS
As the KCSE examinations progress, authorities remain vigilant to safeguard their integrity and uphold public trust in the education system.
KCSE Exam Fraud: 70 Teachers Arrested, Dozens of Schools Probed.
