Ogamba warns of severe penalties for exam cheating as national tests approach

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a stern warning to those in the education sector, cautioning that anyone found engaging in exam malpractice risks severe repercussions, including dismissal.

Speaking on Wednesday at Siala Technical and Vocational Training Centre in Rongo during a tree planting exercise, Ogamba said the government is committed to maintaining the integrity of this year’s national examinations.

“The security we have put in the exam this year is high-tech so that we can reduce malpractices. If you are caught in any exam malpractice this time the law will take its natural course; there will be penalties. You will be barred from operating in the education sector," he said.

Ogamba assured that the government has implemented robust measures to curb irregularities and ensure a clean examination process. He called on all stakeholders in the education sector to support the government’s efforts to deliver credible exams.

In addressing broader challenges in the education system, Ogamba acknowledged the difficulties his ministry is facing.

He criticised those who instead of aiding the ministry are predicting the collapse of the education system.

Ogamba reiterated that everyone has a role to play in the education sector for the benefit of learners.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to prepare for the rollout of learning activities in Grade Nine next year, which include building new classrooms to ensure a smooth transition.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams will begin on October 22 and will run until November 22, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will commence on October 28 and conclude on November 20, 2024, while the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) exams are scheduled to take place between October 28 and October 31, 2024.

To curb exam cheating, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) said this year’s examination papers for each candidate will be personalised to streamline the marking process and improve transparency.

KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere said personalised question papers will anonymise answer scripts, reducing the chances of tampering during marking.

"The question papers will be personalised for every candidate. This will help anonymise the answer scripts during marking. More details on this innovation will be shared with supervisors and invigilators during the sub-county briefing sessions," Njengere said.

He said all people involved in the administration of exams, including supervisors, invigilators, and centre managers, will be required to secure their phones in lockable desks monitored by security officers. This, he said, will reduce the potential for misconduct during exams.

"No phones will be allowed during the opening of the exam papers or while the exams are in progress. Phones will be secured in lockable desks under the supervision of a security officer, with the centre manager holding the key,” Njengere said.

Over 2.27 million candidates are expected to sit for national exams this year.