Well students all over the world are tempted to foul in the exams and it is illegal in all schools but measures of the consequences will often vary with the systems. Here in Kenya current National exams has seen one of the tightest security measures put in place that has placed lots exam criminals in court for either attempting or cheating.
On November 12, the suspects among them the school principal and his deputy appeared before the magistrate where they were charged with aiding an offence in the ongoing KCSE examination and abetting access to examination materials, to which they all pleaded not guilty.
They were, however, denied bond following a successful application by the prosecutor, Peter Wainaina, who told the court that if the suspects were released on bond, they may continue abetting cheating of the ongoing examinations and interfere with witnesses.
Today fifteen suspects who were arrested at Monianku Secondary School in Kisii County over examination malpractice will know whether they will be granted bond or not.
Five of the suspects; Irene Kivunja Mbone, Jurith Nyabeki, Alex Ziko Akuma, Christopher Ogora and Marori Edwin, were arrested at a house near the school in possession of a Chemistry paper.
Arori Peter (Deputy Principal), Mutende John (Supervisor) and invigilators, Omagwa Joel, Edna Morwabe, Gedion Nyagaka, Bernad Omoro, John Abuta, Ann Nyaboe and Joel Nyakwanya were also arrested after the exam to assist in the investigations.
Wainaina told the court that some of the accused persons were not under permanent employment, hence, they might abscond court adding that if released on bond they were likely to continue abetting cheating.
Lawyers Kerosi Ondieki, Nyambega Mose, Sonye Ondari and Stephen for the accused persons objected the application saying the accused persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty by the court.
Ogembo Senior Resident Magistrate Margaret Nafula will give a ruling on bond application for the 15 suspects who have been in custody since they were arrested earlier this month.
Three students of Boys Town Secondary School were also in November charged with attempting to cheat in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination.
The students, who appeared before Garissa Senior Resident Magistrate James Masiga, are said to have been found in possession of mobile phones that had information related to Chemistry Paper II, which they sat on November 8.
Two suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges and were each released on a Sh50,000 bond with surety of the same amount or cash bail of Sh50,000. Their case will be heard on February 12.
The third suspect was detained following an application by the prosecution, to allow detectives time to trace the alleged owner of the phone the suspect is said to have used.
Do you think the students caught cheating should be allowed bond?