Bungoma County Executive Committee member in charge of Education Mrs. Beryl Mutekhele has condemned the exam cheating scandal in St. Peters Sang’alo School in Bungoma, involving the Principal, invigilators and candidates in the ongoing KCSE exams.
She said the act was cowardly and its has tainted the image of the county, which has a straight academic record, “It’s so sad that such a thing has happened to a school within our county, and as a minister, am very annoyed, why would you steal results for students you have prepared for the last four years?” posed Mutekhele. She said the act will in one way or another ruin the future of the students of that school, and may eventually affect the mean score of the county.
She urged principals from other schools not to be involved in exam cheating given that it spoils the reputation of many people, adding that there is no shortcut to success. “I was a principal at one time and I believe in honest success. Am proud of many principals because when I visited many schools before exams, the students looked ready,” said Mutekhele.
According to the education CEC, exam cheating affects the students who have worked hard since the first class in school, and also the parents and guardians who have sacrificed so much in terms of paying school fees for their children. “Many students, unfortunately, come from humble backgrounds and their parents struggle to make their education a success, and some even sell parcels of land,” she said.
She warned schools, especially private schools, that are holding holiday tuition to stop the practice, as it goes against the set rules and regulations that were set by the Education ministry in the country. She said this space of time is meant for students and pupils to enjoy their holiday and bond with their parents.
