Dear University Students,
Every year when national examinations approach, a dark cloud of malpractice hovers over the education system. Behind the scenes, a network of individuals – ranging from dishonest teachers to online fraudsters- works tirelessly to compromise the credibility of exams. Shockingly, among those caught in this immoral web are university students. Some of these young people, who should be models of integrity and academic excellence, find themselves aiding examination malpractices, impersonating candidates or selling purported leaked examination papers online.
The temptation for university students to get involved in these vices is often strong. Many are tech-savvy and know how to use social media platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter) to create fake channels that promise access to “leaked” national papers. Others act as middlemen, connecting teachers and desperate candidates to these fraudulent sites. Some even go to the extent of impersonating real candidates during examinations. Unfortunately, what starts as an easy way to make quick money or show off technological skill often ends in tears, regret and ruined futures.
ALSO READ;
Concern as 17 teen mothers sit for KPSEA exams amid teenage pregnancy rise in Meru
The consequences of such acts are dire and far-reaching. Once caught, a student faces criminal prosecution, expulsion from university and permanent damage to their reputation. Kenya’s laws on examination offences are clear. The Kenya National Examinations Council Act and the Penal Code classify the leaking or distribution of examination materials as a serious criminal offence. Those found guilty can be imprisoned for years or fined heavily. The humiliation that follows arrest, court appearances, and public condemnation can never be erased from one’s record.
Beyond the legal penalties, the emotional and financial toll is devastating. Parents who have struggled to educate their children find themselves paying hefty fines, hiring lawyers, and bailing their sons or daughters out of jail. The money that could have been used to pay school fees or invest in meaningful ventures is wasted on legal battles. Worse still, the time lost in dealing with the consequences is irreplaceable. A student may spend months or even years entangled in court cases, their academic journey interrupted and their dreams shattered.
University students must understand that abetting examination malpractices is not a clever shortcut – it is a betrayal of national trust. It is an act of unpatriotism. The education system is the foundation upon which national development is built. When examinations are manipulated, the credibility of certificates is destroyed. Graduates who have not earned their grades through honest effort become “qualified quacks.” These are individuals who enter professions they are ill-prepared for – teachers who cannot teach, doctors who misdiagnose patients, engineers who construct unsafe buildings and accountants who mismanage funds. The entire nation suffers because of a few who chose dishonesty over integrity.
Moreover, aiding examination malpractices contradicts the very values a university education seeks to instill. Universities are meant to be citadels of knowledge, integrity, and innovation. They are institutions where young minds learn to question, create and contribute positively to society. When a university student participates in cheating schemes, they betray not only their country but also the spirit of higher learning. Instead of using their intelligence to develop solutions to real problems – like poverty, unemployment and corruption – they waste their potential perpetuating a vice that destroys the same education system that nurtured them.
The lure of quick money is one of the strongest motivators behind these acts. Some students are lured by individuals who promise handsome rewards for accessing or sharing exam materials. Others are deceived by online scammers posing as insiders from the Kenya National Examinations Council. But money gained through dishonesty never lasts. It comes with guilt, fear and eventual exposure. In contrast, integrity builds a lasting legacy. A university student who upholds honesty will graduate with pride, knowing that every grade was earned through hard work and merit. That sense of achievement cannot be bought.
The responsibility of curbing this vice, however, does not rest on students alone. Universities must strengthen their moral and ethical education programs. Courses in ethics should not be treated as optional; they should be embedded across disciplines. Students must be constantly reminded that integrity is not just a moral virtue but a national duty. Moreover, the use of technology in universities should be accompanied by digital responsibility training. Young people must understand that the same technology that can advance learning can also destroy lives when used irresponsibly.
ALSO READ;
2025 Kenyan Secondary School football season wraps up leaving indelible mark after thrilling action
The government and examination bodies also have a role to play. Stricter monitoring of social media platforms during examination periods is essential. Collaboration between cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies can help trace and dismantle networks of digital exam fraudsters. When a few offenders are apprehended and punished publicly, it sends a strong deterrent message to others who might be tempted.
Equally important is the role of parents and society at large. Parents should engage their university-going children in open conversations about integrity and responsibility. They must remind them that success achieved dishonestly is hollow and short-lived. Society must also celebrate honesty and effort rather than mere results. When young people see that integrity is valued more than shortcuts, they are less likely to fall into temptation.
Ultimately, the fight against examination malpractices is a fight for the soul of our nation. Kenya’s progress depends on the honesty of its educated citizens. University students, as the next generation of professionals, leaders and innovators, must set the example. They must refuse to be part of the problem and instead become champions of integrity.
Each time a student resists the urge to join a fraudulent scheme, they protect not just their future but the nation’s future as well. Every act of honesty, however small, strengthens the moral fabric of society. The true measure of education is not how much one knows, but how wisely and ethically one uses that knowledge.
In the end, young university students must remember that their reputation is their greatest asset. Once tarnished, it may never be fully restored. The road of integrity may seem longer and harder, but it leads to lasting success, peace of mind and national pride. Kenya needs graduates who are not only intelligent but also honest, responsible and patriotic. Let our universities produce such citizens – men and women who stand tall in character, who build rather than destroy and who choose honour over deceit.
Ashford teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub-county and setves as Dean of Studies.
By Ashford Kimani
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
