Kenya exam cheats face big fines

Cheats could face a maximum fine of $3,600

Students caught cheating during national examinations in Kenya could soon face hefty cash fines.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) has proposed that any student caught cheating be fined a minimum of $730 and a maximum of $3,600 (£2,000).

People found with test papers before the exams will also face similar penalties if the proposals are adopted.

Past exams have been marred by claims of cheating which have cast doubt on the credibility of the final results.

In 2007, Knec cancelled the results of more than 40,000 students who sat for their final secondary school exams amid allegations of malpractice and compilation errors.

There have been claims that education officials were guilty of breaching regulations and selling test materials to anxious students, parents and teachers prior to the exams.

Barred

Knec Chief Executive Paul Wasanga said the changes are necessary to strengthen existing legislation which was last revised in 1981.

Under the current legislation, those found guilty of cheating or fraud only face a $72 fine.

The existing regulations do not address the use of emerging technologies such as mobile phones and iPods by students during exams, the privately owned East African Standard newspaper reported Mr Wasanga as saying.

The proposals come as students across the country prepare to sit for their O'level exams in October and final primary school exams in November.

Under the new proposals, students caught cheating or found guilty of other malpractices will have their results cancelled and be barred from re-taking their exams for two years.

If more than a third of the students in a school are found guilty of cheating or fraud, the school will not be allowed to administer examinations.