Twelve candidates at Kitonyini High School in Machakos County have been stopped from sitting the remaining Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) papers after they were allegedly found in possession of mobile phones.
The students were suspended from the examinations on Friday, November 13, following the reported breach of examination rules.
It is not clear whether the candidates were found with the phones inside an examination room or elsewhere within the school compound.
Education officials said having mobile phones at an examination centre goes against the rules set by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
They will not be sitting for the other papers because examination authorities will be dealing with this incident.
According to KNEC guidelines, candidates are supposed to carry no mobile phones or other electronic communication devices while at the examination centres.
Examination officers are supposed to turn off their phones and keep them out of the reach of the examination rooms.
This incident happens when the Ministry of Education is taking a hard line regarding examination malpractices this year during the KCSE examinations.
In a warning to candidates, teachers, and others participating in the exams, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said those found guilty would face harsh measures.
“Anyone who will engage in any examination offences or malpractices will be dealt with severely by the government,” Ogamba had said when the exams were underway.
KNEC guidelines also bar candidates from bringing books, notes, loose papers, and any other unauthorized materials into the exam halls.
When calculators are allowed in certain subjects, they must be used but must be non-programmable without covers. Candidates are only allowed to use them in subjects that allow them, including Mathematics and Physics.
Candidates are not supposed to bring handbags, briefcases, or backpacks into examination centres.
