Ogamba vows tough measures against exam malpractice

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has warned against malpractice in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.

Ogamba warned that the offenders will face the necessary action.

“We are not going to bend or apologise for insisting that we need to have credible examinations in this country. Education is key and let us not disobey the regulations we have put in place,” he said.

He said exam malpractice does not raise the students’ certificates rather it lowers them.

He stated that it is only fair to let the learners get the results that they worked for, and not help them cheat.

“Let us all do the right thing to ensure that we give these children a chance. You can imagine the joy a student will have when they get their results knowing they did not cheat,” he said.

Ogamba invited the public to report any form of malpractice and disobeying the regulations that have been put down so that action can be taken.

Recalling the incident that was reported in Eldoret during the KPSEA exams, Ogamba urged the court to speed up the justice process.

“We have requested the judiciary to ensure that within the next month or so, that case can be completed,” he said.

“The question of extending hearings for seven years is not going to relate well with us. Because it is a straightforward case let it be completed so that those who are found to be guilty can face the penalty.”

Ogamba noted that the court’s decision to punish offenders will act as a deterrent to anyone intending to deal with malpractice.

The CS said the government has so far taken strict measures to ensure that there is no cheating.

This includes security features for the papers, ensuring that phones are not allowed in the exam centres.

“So let us not in any manner disobey the regulations that we have put in place. Let us enjoy them, they will help us reduce the cases of malpractice,” Ogamba said.

The theory exams will end on November 22, with Physics practical.