Magoha warns teachers seeking to aid in cheating in forthcoming national exams

The Ministry of Education yesterday suspended leave applications for all its officers to ensure enough personnel during this year's school leaving national examinations.

Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang issued the directive in a circular addressed to all Directors of Education at the regional, county and sub-county levels, saying no leave will be granted from September 11 up to the end of the examination season on November 27.

“It has been decided all leave applications be suspended with immediate effect up to November 2019. You are required to bring this to the attention of all the officers working under you,” read the PS’s letter.

To address any emerging issues related to examination, Kipsang directed all education officers to remain in their respective duty stations to offer support.

His directive came even as Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha warned teachers against aiding cheating in the national examinations.

Speaking during a tour of schools in Thika yesterday, Prof Magoha said the government had intelligence some teachers were planning to engage in the vice.

He said the state will use all resources and power to ensure there will be no exam leakage. Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams begin on October 28 with the Mathematics paper while the last paper – Social studies and Religious Education will be on October 31.

Form Four candidates will begin Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE) exams on November 4 and sit the last paper on November 27.

The CS said the teachers have started selling fake exams papers to unsuspecting parents. Magoha warned of stern action against anyone aiding cheating. He identified Rongo as the epicentre of ongoing to plan to leak exams.