The 1,171 candidates who were involved in KCSE examination irregularities last year can repeat the test if they wish to.
This is after the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) said those who cheated can register for the examinations this year.
In a circular to all Provincial Directors of Education, City Education Officer and District Education Officers dated April 6, Knec Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Wasanga, instructed that those wishing to repeat KCSE should be allowed.
The exam council had earlier sought to punish the students by banning them for two years.
The move comes after a reprieve by Education Minister Professor Sam Ongeri who withdrew a two-year ban imposed by Knec on students who were involved in exam cheating last year.
According to Ongeri the ban was irregularly enforced hence ordered Knec to withdraw it.
"I have instructed Knec to look for other measures to deal with the matter and withdraw the ban immediately," Ongeri told Parliament.
The Cheats
During last year’s KCSE examination, there were 1,171 cheating candidates down from 1,419 in 2008.
Magena Secondary School in Gucha District topped the list with 180 cheating cases.
The council revealed that candidates smuggled notes into exam rooms, others used mobile phones and unscrupulous traders tried to make a kill by selling fake KCSE papers to unsuspecting students and parents.
Kodero Bara Secondary School in Rongo had 89 cheating cases followed by Kaplong Girls Secondary School in Sotik with 78 cases.
In Kisumu East District, 60 candidates had their results cancelled due to cheating at Ongalo Mixed Secondary School and 48 candidates at Abuhureira Academy in Mombasa, 44 candidates in Mandera Integrated Academy in Mandera East District and 28 culprits in Mii Secondary School in Nzaui District.
Legal action
Ongeri revealed that 22 suspects were arrested and charged in court.
Nine people, among them three candidates and two students, were arrested for distribution and handling of fake examination papers.
Affected districts include Busia, Kakamega Central, Vihiga, Lugari, Samia, Bungoma North and Bungoma East. Busia had the highest cases of irregularities, 47 in total.
There were 24 cases at Busiada Secondary School and 23 at Bujumba Secondary School. Bungoma East followed with 14 cases in three schools.
There were three cases at Friends School, Bokoli, nine at St Mathews ACK Secondary School and two at St Cecilia Girls, Misikhu. Bungoma North had nine cases.
Seven cases were reported at Chesamis High School and two at Elunya Friends School. Four cases were reported at Mbale High, three at St Austin’s Secondary and two at Ingotse High.
Other schools with cases of cheating include Kisumu Day, St Mary Goreti Dede Girls, Pe Hill, Manyatta, Lake View Secondary schools, Ombogo Academy and Rang’ala Girls.
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Education Minister Sam Ongeri has withdrawn a two-year ban imposed by Kenya National Examinations Council on students cheating in examinations.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking a few months after signing the gazette notice that imposed the ban, Prof Ongeri termed the move irregular.
He signed the Legal notice no 174 of December 4.
But on Wednesday, the minister told Parliament the ban was irregularly enforced and ordered Knec to withdraw it. He was delivering a ministerial statement sought by Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto to know what statute Knec had used to impose the ban.
"I have instructed Knec to look for other measures to deal with the matter and withdraw the ban immediately," Ongeri told the House.
At the same time, Ongeri said he was in the process of putting together amendments to some of the provisions of the Kenya National Examination Act 1980, which he said had become obsolete.
About a year ago, Knec proposed the most comprehensive and ambitious review of the Act since 1980. Proposals such as a hefty Sh100,000 fine or a jail term of at least one year, or both, for any candidate found copying from another candidate’s script were fronted.
In addition, such a person was to be disqualified from taking the examination and if already done, the results cancelled. Those disqualified were to be barred from taking any council examination for two years.
It would also be an offence to possess an examination paper or use its contents in any manner. Anybody found in illegal possession, or who has fore knowledge of the contents of an examination paper, would be fined a minimum of Sh100,000 and a maximum of Sh250,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or both.
Knec has been pushing for the amendments to the Act Cap 225A, which mainly deals with examination offences and penalties, as it awaits the outcome of the newly proposed Education and Training Bill.
Bomachoge MP Simon Ogari said students could not solely be accused of cheating. Mr Ogari, in whose constituency many students were accused of exam cheating, said the students must be in collusion with Knec officials, invigilators and others.
Mosop MP David Koech demanded to know from Ongeri what steps his ministry was taking to ensure cheating was eliminated.
Ongeri noted that they were taking serious steps to deal with the matter.
"We will not condone any cheating whether it starts at Knec or with invigilators," added Ongeri.