TSC Imposes Social Media Ban to Combat Cheating During Examinations.
To curb the proliferation of fake examination materials, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has taken decisive action by prohibiting teachers from participating in particular social media groups. These groups, often on platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), have been flagged for their involvement in distributing fraudulent exam content. This move signals a departure from business as usual, as teachers will no longer be allowed to engage with these platforms during the examination period.
Dr. Nancy Macharia, Chief Executive of the TSC, emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of examinations. She warned that any teacher caught aiding in examination malpractice will face severe disciplinary measures. A circular by Dr. Macharia on August 7 highlights 33 specific social media sites and channels the country’s 380,000 teachers should not join due to their involvement in disseminating counterfeit exam materials.
According to the circular, unscrupulous individuals have already begun sharing or publishing fake documents, claiming them to be genuine examination materials. The Kenya National Examination (KNEC), Regional Directors, County Directors, and Sub County Directors also have access to this circular.
Antonina Lentoijoni, the Director of Staffing at TSC, reiterated the warning from Dr. Macharia’s circular and urged supervisors, invigilators, and center managers to ensure they conduct examinations in strict compliance with established rules and regulations to preserve their credibility. She emphasized the importance of upholding integrity and vigilance to prevent any form of examination malpractice during the 2023 examinations.
Keep Reading
Enhanced Security Ahead of National Examinations
KCPE Exam: The End of 8-4-4 Era
Schools Fully Prepared for Upcoming National Examinations
Optimizing Kenyan Education: The Future of Primary and Secondary Education.
During a meeting attended by three Principal Secretaries, Raymond Omollo (Interior), Belio Kipsang (Basic Education), and John Tanui (ICT) at St. George’s Primary School in Nairobi, they discussed the roadmap for the exams. In this meeting, they disclosed that the Communication Authority (CAK) would play a crucial role in identifying and removing social media posts linked to examination malpractices. CAK’s acting director general, Christopher Wambua, confirmed their commitment to monitoring social media platforms around the clock to take down forums promoting fraudulent exam content swiftly. CAK is collaborating with social media platforms, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the National Cybersecurity Centre to combat exam malpractice effectively.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) also issued a warning, stating that they will apprehend individuals involved in the identified social media platforms claiming to possess examination papers. Nicholas Kamwende, DCI’s Deputy Director, emphasized their role in arresting those who send social media messages on exam materials and ensuring that they face the consequences of the law. This multi-agency approach aims to root out those responsible for distributing fake exam materials.
Dr. Kipsang expressed confidence in the strategies adopted to tackle early exposure to exam content. Early exposure involves gaining access to exam materials on the same day the examination takes place. This year’s examinations will be picked up twice to combat this issue, as recommended by various committees, including the parliamentary committee and the presidential working party.
Recent developments have demonstrated the effectiveness of these strategies in addressing social media’s role in examination malpractice. The DCI successfully arrested an individual known as Nicholas Ngumbau Kalewa, alias ‘Mr. Examiner,’ who claimed to possess both primary and secondary national examination papers. He operated over ten WhatsApp and Telegram accounts, selling counterfeit papers for prices ranging from KES 1,500 to 2,000. Detectives infiltrated these groups by posing as students, witnessing the teacher caution over 900 members not to engage in other activities, reinforcing his legitimacy in offering genuine exam materials.
In addition to the social media crackdown, the strategy to secure examinations also includes a ban on mobile phone usage within examination centers. Center managers will have permission to use mobile phones within their offices only. Teachers will not have access to the examination center premises. Furthermore, all secondary school teachers will serve as examination officials away from their usual stations, enhancing security during national tests.
Antonina further revealed that the TSC has identified and vetted 223,000 teachers to serve as supervisors and invigilators, along with 71,760 center managers who will oversee this year’s exams. This comprehensive approach aims to prevent malpractice and uphold the integrity of the examination process.
Two command centers have been established to enhance coordination and emergency response further. Additionally, a support center at the CAK will help coordinate and respond to any issues or emergencies that may arise during the examination period. These efforts demonstrate a commitment to maintaining the credibility of national examinations while actively combating exam malpractice.
In summary, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has implemented a proactive approach to combat the distribution of fake examination materials through specific social media platforms. This initiative, supported by the Communication Authority (CAK), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and other relevant agencies, aims to maintain the integrity of national examinations. The TSC is actively upholding the credibility of the examination process through a multi-pronged strategy that includes banning teachers from specific social media groups, enforcing bans on mobile phones in examination centers, and deploying teachers as examination officials. These measures play a vital role in deterring exam malpractice and ensuring a fair and transparent assessment of students.
TSC Imposes Social Media Ban to Combat Cheating During Examinations.