DP Ruto gives Ministry one month to deal with exam cheats

Deputy President William Ruto has given the education ministry one month to deal with perpetrators of examination irregularities in the 2015 KCSE exams.

The DP stated that he has instructed the ministry to take action against individuals both within its departments and schools who participated in the leakage that led to the cancellation of the results of 5,101 students.

“We have asked the Ministry of Education to deal with those who undermine the development of education through shortcuts and cheating within the next one month,” said Mr. Ruto.

Speaking during the 68th and 90th Anniversary celebrations held separately at the Alliance Girls High School and Alliance Boys High Schools, the DP raised concern over an increase in cases of cheating in examinations, which, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, had risen by 70 per cent from 2014 to 2015.

He said cases of cheating were negatively affecting the country’s education standards and tainting the country’s image.

“Those who engage in shortcuts and cheating are doing a great disservice to millions of hardworking students and should be dealt with as soon as possible,” added the Deputy President.

The Deputy President said the Government attaches great importance to education and was investing heavily in it because the country’s transformation agenda lies with students.

“Education is part of other sectors that takes a huge budget because to invest in education is to invest in the future of our country,” said Mr Ruto.

The deputy president urged Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and other education players to be vigilant and stop taking chances in national examinations.

Ruto pointed out that, in line with Jubilee’s agenda to better the country’s education system, it had resorted to relieving parents of the role of paying examinations fees to ensure everyone gets the chance to seat for exams.

“We have enhanced capitation to include payment of examination fees for standard eight and form four candidates,” said Mr Ruto.

“We are thinking of having secondary education taken care of. Discussions are on and shortly we will make a concrete decision on the matter,” said Mr Ruto.

In his address, Education CS Fred Matiang’i said his ministry has implemented the Government’s directive by paying exam fees on time urging schools managements to use the money to purchase education materials.

Other leaders present included Principal Secretaries Kipsang Belio (Education), Joseph Njoroge (Energy), Richard Lesyampe (Agriculture) and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.

Ruto’s directive comes days after the announcement of KCSE results that was clouded by accusations over cases of cheating.

In a rather direct attack at KNEC, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education teachers (KUPPET) and Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) had blamed KNEC for the increased cases of cheating saying action should be taken against KNEC for laxity to protect integrity of education system.

Unlike previous years, the education ministry stated that there will be no blanket ban on schools whose students had been involved in cheating, instead cancelling the results of individual candidates.

@benjaminwafula