Rampant Cheating in 2022 KCSE Examinations.
A week before the start of national examinations in the country, a report by the National Assembly Committee in Education confirms that there were rampant cases of exam malpractice in 2022 KCSE examinations.
Due to heightened levels of public concern on examination malpractice early this year, the government put in place an enquiry in January 27, 2023.
The findings of the committee reveal that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations tackled close to 68 examination irregularity cases in the country. Out of the 68, investigation is still ongoing for 44 cases, 17 are still in court, with 6 already determined by the courts.
From the reported cases, a majority (47), involved the use of mobile devices while only 12 involved were those of written materials. It is essential to note that there was only one case of impersonation.
In determination of its findings, the committee was reliant on reports from 10 counties and engagements with key stakeholders in the education sector. Information from these engagement revealed shocking details pertaining to the integrity of Kenya’s national examinations.
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According to findings of the committee, many of the examination irregularities involved early exposure of examination papers especially the second papers.
In addition, the findings indicate that other irregularities were a resultant factor of the use of mobile phones, and unwanted written materials confiscated by examination invigilators and supervisors.
The committee holds that in many regions, for instance in Embu, examiners indicate that students provided similar answers to questions. Students even write similar incorrect answers to questions.
Social media platforms such as Telegram and signal also played a critical role in perpetrating examination cheating instances by providing a platform for sharing examination papers.
Further, mot exam malpractice cases went unreported with examiners citing a tedious reporting process as a major impediment. In addition, they also cite intimidation by chief examiners as another key impediment.
According to the committee. students are driven to cheat by the societal pressure to be successful by attaining good grades and securing admission to good institutions of higher learning.
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Rampant Cheating in 2022 KCSE Examinations.