Mobile phones becoming a big headache in KCSE examinations
Mobile phones have emerged to be the greatest impediment in the fight against cheating in the current Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.
According to the Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, despite efforts by his ministry to ensure that examination cheating does not happen, examination officials continue impounding cell phones from candidates.
“The greatest singular enemy we have today is the cell phone during exam time. Do not push us to say that we shall not want to see any cell phone in the school during exam time. You have to manage the cell phones,” said Magoha.
Magoha says that the mobile phone menace is a countrywide issue, with most of those arrested for examination malpractice being mobile phone related. WhatsApp is the most common medium being used by candidates.
“The Ministry of Education is very clear that no student should be found with a phone during the examination period,” he said.
Magoha, however, denied fears that the examinations had leaked, saying the situation was under control.
“The exam is going well, but we are a bit worried about certain hot spots. For the avoidance of doubt, this exam has not leaked,” he said.
Magoha pointed an accusing finger at a “few crooked teachers” who he accused of accessing the exam during its collection from containers for onward transportation to exam centres.
He regretted that some teachers were going against the ministry’s directives.
