3 Causes of 2022 KCSE Exam Cheating Uncovered
On March 20, 2023, stakeholders and members of the public discussed the loopholes that contributed to examination malpractice during the 2022 Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE).
They addressed the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education and identified the underpayment of teachers as a major cause of the rising cases of KCSE cheating.
According to members of the public, little remuneration provided to teachers involved in exam marking created an avenue for bribery, which encouraged manipulation and cheating.
Ranking of schools was also identified as one of the leading causes of exam cheating. Participants from Nyeri and Nakuru Counties told MPs that the obsession by teachers to record exemplary results than other schools directly encouraged cheating.
Students’ desire to record high grades also fuelled cheating as some resolved to use outlawed schemes to obtain examination materials.
These observations followed a decision by MPs to open a public inquiry into the state of education in the country.
The inquiry aims to carry out a comprehensive analysis of KCSE examination results for the years 2019 to 2022 to determine whether there is a trend capable of providing plausible interpretations that can lead to conclusions on whether there was cheating as reported.
The inquiry also seeks to examine whether there was cheating and other malpractices in the examination, how they were arranged, the parties involved and extent of involvement, and the parties that bear the greatest responsibility.
The team is expected to hold public participation forums in Embu, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, and Machakos County to evaluate other causes of exam cheating.
MPs will also engage education stakeholders on steps to curb examination cheating and other malpractices to end their adequacy.
The efficiency and effectiveness of examination management officers from Kenya National Examination Council headquarters deployed to schools and how they were involved will also be discussed.
Lawmakers will further determine whether there is a need for legislative measures, including reviewing penalties on examination malpractices to enhance deterrence.
Education CS, Ezekiel Machogu, denied claims that the KCSE 2022 exams were marred with irregularities. The CS responded to critics who questioned why most schools posted unusual mean scores, with deviations of up to four points in their mean score.
He refuted allegations of exam malpractices, stating that they devised a mechanism for transferring accountability to the personal level, and that the center manager will be personally accountable for any irregularities.
3 Causes of 2022 KCSE Exam Cheating Uncovered
