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Parents and teachers in Kisii County have been warned against fake CBE examination papers in circulation as schools prepare for end-term tests.
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Education officials say most of these materials are not approved and do not reflect the CBC approach. County education officers who met parents and teachers in Kisii town explained that some traders are selling cheaply printed booklets with official-looking covers and marketing “leaked CBC exams” on WhatsApp for up to Ksh 2,000 per subject.
Parents and teachers in Kisii County have been put on high alert over the circulation of fake examination revision materials targeting learners under the Competency Based Education (CBE), at all levels.
With schools intensifying preparations for end-of-term assessments, bookshops, online vendors, and street hawkers have flooded the market with booklets and papers claiming to be “guaranteed pass” CBC revision or KNEC predictions for Grade 3, Grade 6, Junior School, and Senior School learners.
Education officials say most of these materials are not approved and do not reflect the CBC approach. County education officers who met parents and teachers in Kisii town explained that some traders are selling cheaply printed booklets with official-looking covers and marketing “leaked CBC exams” on WhatsApp for up to Ksh 2,000 per subject.
Many anxious parents, desperate to see their children succeed, end up buying several sets only to discover later that the content is irrelevant, inaccurate, or misleading.
Teachers argue that the fake papers are doing more harm than good because CBC is not built on memorization of past questions. The curriculum emphasizes competencies, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical learning through projects and activities.
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When learners are forced to cram ten fake mock exams instead of engaging in hands-on tasks and classroom-based assessments, the very purpose of CBC is defeated. It also places an unnecessary financial burden on families who are already struggling with school fees and other learning resources.
KUPPET officials led by Executive Secretary Abel Kenyanchui have urged parents to be cautious, advising families to purchase learning materials only from registered bookshops and publishers recognized by the Ministry of Education.
Parents have also been told to consult class teachers before buying any revision booklet or online resource, and to disregard anyone claiming to have leaked exams, since KNEC does not release papers before they are administered.
The best form of revision, they say, is consistent learning at school, teacher-guided practice, reading at home, and supporting learners to apply skills in real-life situations.
The County Education Office has promised to work with security agencies to crack down on traders selling counterfeit examination materials.
For now, the message to Kisii parents is direct and urgent. Verify before you buy, trust your child’s teacher, and put competence ahead of shortcuts. CBC learners need preparation that builds skills for life, not fear and fake papers that lead nowhere.
By Enock Okong’o
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