Examination Rules and Regulations and Examination Malpractices in Secondary Schools: (Students Perception) a Case Study of Schools in Bondo, Kenya

Abstract

This research was set to investigate effectiveness of rules and regulations in eliminating examination malpractice in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. The study was conducted among students and teachers in secondary schools in Bondo sub-county. In this region, there have been numerous cases of examination irregularities at times leading to cancellation of results from particular schools, hence this research found schools in this geographical area a good target for the study. The general purpose of this investigation was to ratify the efficacy of rules and regulations in eradicating academic dishonesty in secondary schools. In specific the study sought to find out the types, forms and causes of academic dishonesty and whether the rules and regulations set by KNEC are effective in eliminating examination malpractice in Bondo sub-county. The study sampled 640 students and 25 teachers from 8 secondary schools in Bondo sub-county. The researcher used both probability and non-probability sampling method in the study. The study used stratified and simple random sampling technique to sample students and purposive sampling technique to sample teachers. The sample study comprised of 3 girls schools, 3 boys’ schools and 2 co-educational schools in county, making a total of 8 schools out of which 2 were private schools comprising of 1 girls school and 1 boys school in the county. The researcher used semi structured interviews which is a mix of both structured and unstructured interviews. The study found that the most common modes of exam cheating by students include writing on body parts, prior leakage of examination questions to students, exchange of exam papers, assistance from invigilators, copying from other candidates and sneaking in unauthorized materials. The study also established that students cheat in in exams because they want good grades, they are inadequately prepared for exams, they are pressured by parents, they lack confidence in themselves and they have stiff competition amongst themselves. The study recommends interventions and mitigations such as; adhering to exam rules and regulations, reducing societal pressure and stakes attached to exams by using continuous assessments to compliment national examinations, introducing CCTV in exam rooms, reviewing the syllabus, instituting strict invigilation, encouraging honesty through guidance and counseling, ensuring adequate student preparation and improving teachers working conditions