The impact of examination malpractices on the academic performance of pupils in Masinga Division, Yatta District-Kenya
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Date
2010-05
Authors
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Publisher
Kampala International University;College of Open and Distance Learning Education
Abstract
Cheating in examination is a very bad habit that has disadvantages for all the parties involved. The student, teacher, the school and even the examination council all stand to lose when students cheat in examinations. Examination irregularities in Kenya have been found noted at every release of the KCSE results and few measures have been put in place to curb the vice. The underlying objective of this study was to investigate into the Nature and causes of National Examinations irregularities in Kivaa, Masaku schools. In particular, the study tried to answer the following questions. What are the different in-regularities connected to KCSE, National Examination? Does the student attitude towards examinations have any effect on their performance in National examinations? What are the different factors that contribute to examination irregularities? What are the different measures that can be put in place to curb this vice? The population of the study consisted of the Headteachers, 40 teachers, 100 students from classes, seven, eight, form three and form four. The research instrument used in this study was two part questionnaire, part A elicited information on personal Data and professional qualification. While part B elicited responses on examination invigilation and irregularities. Descriptive statistics was used in this study where frequencies, mean and mode were utilized to explore the variables under the study. It has been revealed that the respondents are aware of different examination in-regularities, that there are leakage impersonations, external assistance, and smuggling of foreign material, copying, intimidation, substitution of scripts, improper assignment and ghost centres among others. All the respondents gave several reasons as to why pupils engage themselves in examination irregularities. The reasons include High Stakes of the exam, teacher and school status, personal factors, quota system, inadequate school facilities and shortage of supervisors in public examinations, location of examination centres, low salary levels and competition. The respondents also gave some suggestions which can be put in place to curb these examination irregularities. They included provision of enough razors and materials, training of supervisors and invigilators before the examinations, increase of supervisors and invigilators, increment in remunerations for the teachers and the examination officers and stiff punishment for anybody involved in examination malpractices.
Description
A research report submitted to the Institute of Open and Distance Learning in partial fulfillment of the Award of Diploma in Primary Education of Kampala International University
Keywords
Examination malpractices, Academic performance of pupils, Yatta District, Kenya