KNEC Officials Sold Examination Papers – MPs Report
The National Assembly’s Committee on Education in Kenya has revealed that some officials within the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) facilitated exam cheating during the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Julius Melly, the Committee’s Chairperson, disclosed during a hearing session in Mombasa that investigations showed KNEC officials shared copies of examination papers in exchange for money.
The Committee also expressed concerns about the sudden shift in the performance of some schools that registered high grades and overall mean scores in the 2022 exams, indicating the possibility of cheating.
The Committee received submissions from teachers who claimed that some elements within the KNEC engaged in selling examination papers, a business they described as highly lucrative.
The teachers called for stern prohibitive measures, including establishing an independent body to provide oversight on KNEC in its mandate of administering national examinations.
Melly stated that there was cheating in the 2022 exams, with most of it originating from the council itself, according to members of the public.
The Committee will complete investigations into the conduct of the 2022 KCSE in two months and subsequently compile a report recommending action against the culprits.
However, the MPs ruled out the possibility of cancelling results for candidates who sat the 2022 KCSE.
Education Cabinet Secretary dismissed reports insinuating that the exam was marred with rampant cheating in January despite public outcry over some of the results posted in some schools.
A host of schools in Nyanza sparked a nationwide debate after registering a sudden rise to the list of top performers and eclipsing some of the previously known big names.
The revelations by the Committee on Education point to a deep-rooted problem of exam cheating in Kenya that needs urgent attention.
It is critical to ensure the integrity of national examinations, as they serve as a basis for admission to higher learning institutions and the job market.
The call by teachers for an independent body to provide oversight on KNEC in its mandate of administering national examinations is crucial and could help to restore public confidence in the examination process.
The government must take swift action to identify and prosecute the culprits to deter others from engaging in exam cheating. Ultimately, the goal should be to build a robust examination system that ensures transparency, fairness, and credibility.
KNEC Officials Sold Examination Papers – MPs Report
