TSC Ban Teachers From 33 Social Platform in War Against Exam Cheating
Teachers are now prohibited from being members of social media platforms that have been identified as sources for spreading fake examination materials.
During this examination season, teachers will not be allowed to participate in approximately 33 WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) groups.
Dr. Nancy Macharia, the Chief Executive of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), emphasized that the TSC will not hesitate to impose strict disciplinary measures on any teacher found to be involved in facilitating exam misconduct.
In a document acquired by Teachers Updates, Dr. Macharia outlined the 33 social media websites and channels that the country’s 380,000 teachers are prohibited from joining, as these platforms have been recognized as distributors of counterfeit exam papers.
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“Unscrupulous individuals have initiated the distribution and publication of counterfeit documents, claiming to be examination materials. The government has raised concerns about the social media platforms attached to this dissemination of fraudulent examination material,” states the August 7 TSC circular.
This circular has been shared with the Kenya National Examination (KNEC), Regional Directors, County Directors, and Sub County Directors.
Antonina Lentoijoni, the TSC director of staffing, reiterated Dr. Macharia’s circular earlier this week, emphasizing the warning sent to all teachers and schools regarding participation in any social media groups promoting malpractice in the 2023 examinations and assessments.
She urged all supervisors, invigilators, and center managers to avoid engaging in examination malpractice and ensure that the examinations adhere to the established rules and regulations to maintain their credibility.
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Antonina further directed that all individuals involved in administering this year’s examinations and assessments should uphold integrity in their roles and remain vigilant to prevent any form of examination malpractice.
During a meeting at St. George Primary School in Nairobi, attended by three Principal Secretaries, Raymond Omollo (Interior), Belio Kipsang (Basic Education), and John Tanui (ICT).
They discussed the examination roadmap and announced that the Communication Authority will play an active role in identifying, flagging, and removing social media posts as part of the crackdown on individuals engaged in examination malpractice through digital platforms.
Christopher Wambua, the acting director general of CAK, mentioned that they are constantly monitoring social media platforms 24/7 to swiftly address any groups attempting to defraud the public by claiming to share sample examination papers.
He stated that they are collaborating with social media platforms, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the National Cybersecurity Center in the fight against examination malpractice.
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The DCI warns that they will arrest those on social media claiming to have exam papers. Nicholas Kamwende, the DCI deputy director, says they will track and arrest those flagged by the CAK.
“Our primary objective is to ensure the apprehension of individuals involved in trafficking social media messages, leading to their arrest and subsequent legal action,” stated Kamwende.
PS Kipsang conveyed his belief that these strategies will effectively address the issue of early exposure.
“Early exposure refers to the situation where individuals gain access to examination materials on the very day the exams take place. This observation was made by the parliamentary committee and was also highlighted by the presidential working party. As a response to this concern, we will conduct two examinations this year,” Dr. Kipsang explained.
The Sunday Standard has uncovered that a crackdown on social media resulted in the apprehension of one suspect last Thursday.
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According to the DCI, Nicholas Ngumbau Kalewa, also known as ‘Mr. Examiner,’ claimed to possess both primary and secondary national examination papers. He had opened more than 10 WhatsApp and Telegram accounts, where he sold counterfeit papers, pricing them at around Sh1,500 to Sh2,000.
The DCI reported on the X social platform that “the examiner operated through over 10 WhatsApp and Telegram accounts, where he peddled counterfeit examination papers at prices ranging from Sh1,500 per paper to Sh2,000 for a complete examination paper with a marking scheme.”
Subsequently, detectives infiltrated the group by posing as students and observed the teacher cautioning over 900 group members not to engage in any other activities, particularly in his inbox, as he was preoccupied with his clients. He also warned them about scammers and claimed to be the sole source of legitimate materials.
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The strategy to safeguard the examination will also encompass enforcing the ban on mobile phone use within examination centers.
KNEC will only permit center managers to use mobile phones within their offices. Also no teacher will enter the examination center premises.
Telegram accounts used by KNEC and CAK officials for exam leaks are as follows:
- knecleakage2022
- knecexam2022
- knecleakage
- KCSEEXAMLEAKAGES
- knecleakage2022
- leakagekcseandkcpe
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Deactivated Telegram accounts include:
- Kneclkg
- KCSEANDKCPE EXAMS
- Kcse2021leaks
- knecpapers22
- kneecseleakage
- sanzy2
- knec2021exam
- KCSEKCPRNCKASN EBLEAKAGES
Facebook accounts related to this issue are:
- KNEC PAST papers
- kcse Past Papers And Marking Schemes
- KNEC Standard Notes and Past Papers –TVET
- KCSE Leakage
- Knec past papers
- Kenya National Examination Council Dennis Pritt Road.
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TSC Ban Teachers From 33 Social Platform in War Against Exam Cheating
