Exam Paper Scams: Knec Exposes Fraudulent Practices, Denies KCSE Leakage Allegations
The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) has refuted claims of leaked examination materials for the 2022 Form 4 exams.
Knec CEO David Njeng’ere addressed the National Assembly Education Committee and dismissed the allegations, stating that parents had been deceived into paying large sums of money for counterfeit papers.
Njeng’ere highlighted that the circulation of supposed “genuine” examination papers on social media platforms was a result of fraudulent activities by rogue agents.
These individuals, masquerading as Knec officers, have duped unsuspecting parents into believing that they could obtain leaked papers by paying a fee.
Njeng’ere emphasized that Knec would share the relevant social media sites to expose these scams.
“We will share the social media sites that claim to have those ‘genuine’ examination papers. People pay money to rogue agents. They have been made to believe those sharing the papers are Knec officers. They are not,” Njeng’ere said.
He challenged the committee members to access the papers, retain them, and compare them with the actual papers in November.
Njeng’ere acknowledged that the council provides advance instructions to examination center managers, who are typically the principals of schools, regarding the practical aspects of exams.
However, he clarified that these instructions do not contain the actual exam questions.
Instead, they guide the managers in preparing specific solutions, reagents, or instruments necessary for the practical exams.
Unfortunately, some principals have shared these instructions with unauthorized individuals, thereby misleading the public.
Defense Against Weaponization of Exams
Responding to concerns about the heavy security deployed during exams, Njeng’ere defended the multi-agency approach adopted by the council.
He explained that this strategy was introduced in the 2016 reforms to restore the credibility of national examinations.
The involvement of various security agencies aimed to ensure the integrity of the exam process and prevent any attempts to compromise its fairness.
Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and PS Belio Kipsang revealed that the ministry has proposed amendments to the Knec Act of 2012.
The amendments seek to incorporate the reforms implemented in 2016 into the legal framework.
The current Act mandates the storage of exam papers in police armories, while the reforms introduced the use of secure containers.
The proposed amendments aim to align the legislation with the existing practices and address other necessary changes.
Calls for Oversight and Funding
Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba raised concerns about the lack of proper oversight of Knec and suggested establishing a Kenya National Examination Regulatory Authority.
Njeng’ere, however, refuted the notion that Knec had overstepped its authority, stating that the council had always operated within the confines of the law.
He emphasized the need for increased funding, as the grant received by Knec remained unchanged despite a significant increase in the candidate population.
The CEO called on the MPs to advocate for a larger allocation to meet the needs of examiners, examinations, and
Exam Paper Scams: Knec Exposes Fraudulent Practices, Denies KCSE Leakage Allegations
