The intense competition in Kenya’s national exams, particularly the KCSE, has led to a surge in cheating strategies by both candidates and teachers striving for top performance.
One major vulnerability in past exam management was the use of police stations as storage facilities, which was addressed when KNEC introduced secure containers at sub-county levels, complete with 24-hour security. Previously, KCSE results were released in late February or early March of the following year, allowing opportunities for manipulation by KNEC officials influenced by principals aiming for high mean scores. However, this changed significantly with reforms led by then-CS Fred Matiang’i, who shortened the marking period, resulting in faster results release and minimized interference.
Candidates have exploited loopholes in the invigilation and supervision process as well. Previously, candidates collaborated with brilliant Form Three students to smuggle questions out of exam rooms, sending answers back in through hidden locations. To curb this, the Ministry of Education adjusted the school calendar, scheduling KCPE and KCSE after schools had closed to prevent interaction with younger students.
Science subjects, especially practicals in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, were common targets for leaks. Teachers often used the Confidential Paper, intended for preparatory purposes, to make predictions and conduct rehearsals. At times, KNEC examiners gave paid “Science talks,” lifting the veil on exam contents. In response, KNEC barred examiners from visiting schools, and the Confidential Paper was scaled down, providing fewer practical details. These measures have forced teachers to conduct a range of practice experiments without certainty of what the actual exam entails.
Technology has also fueled exam leaks, with compromised officials using mobile phones to share exam content. In response, KNEC reassigned the responsibility of collecting exams from supervisors to principals, and revised collection to twice daily. After the first paper is completed, it is returned to the KNEC container before the second paper is issued, effectively closing the window for leaks between sessions.
This year, KNEC has eliminated extra papers in exam packages, which had previously been used to provide subject teachers disguised as non-teaching staff with copies to create answer keys for candidates. Now, each paper is personalized with candidate details to prevent unauthorized duplication.
KNEC has also withheld results from schools where malpractice is suspected, pending investigations. When released, such results undergo stringent moderation, affecting all candidates’ grades and impacting those who earned their grades fairly. In some schools, supervisors, invigilators, and security staff have reportedly received extra payments from principals funded by parents in the name of “exam facilitation.”
As the second critical week of KCSE exams concludes, KNEC CEO David Njengere has assured the public that every measure is being taken to deliver a completely leakage-free exam session this year.
