Search Page

Cheating in school is an age-old problem, but new technologies have made it easier. Mobile phones in particular allow students to peek at notes during exams, text their friends for homework answers, or even use AI apps to solve a problem. Educators and institutions are deploying various measures to combat cheating. But is it enough to safeguard the integrity of exams?

To combat certificate forgery in Higher Education, Libya joined the Unified Arab System for Blockchain-based Certificate Authentication. This initiative, spearheaded by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), provides a reliable method for verifying academic qualifications. Experts advocate for similar systems across Africa to strengthen hiring practices and ensure credential credibility. They suggest leveraging blockchain technology and collaborating with international organizations for widespread implementation.

The General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) highlighted the significance of the ongoing investigation into a fake diploma scandal and its implications for corruption within senior bureaucratic and political circles. He pledges the CTP's commitment to monitoring the process and work towards enhancing the effectiveness of regulatory bodies like the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council YÖDAK to improve governance and accountability in higher education institutions.

Kenya's public sector is facing a crisis as an audit by the Public Service Commission revealed more than 2,000 cases of fake academic and professional certificates among government employees. It was found that 787 civil servants had used false credentials, ranging from fake secondary and tertiary education certificates to altered grades. This widespread fraud, which affects several government institutions, undermines public confidence. The proposed legislation aims to tackle the problem, but urgent reforms are needed to restore integrity and accountability.

Education Cabinet Secretary raised concerns about school heads potentially inflating candidate numbers for national examinations in Kenya. Similar concerns were raised during the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam, where 9,354 students registered but did not sit the exam. To curb "ghost candidates, this year KCSE registration will be done based on the data in the National Education Management Information System.

The Indian government has introduced the Anti-Cheating in Public Examinations Bill to combat rampant academic dishonesty and preserve the integrity of the education system. The Bill proposes strict measures such as increased surveillance, stricter rules for invigilators and severe penalties for cheating such as 10 years' imprisonment and a of ₹1 crore for those involved in exam malpractice. Additionally, the bill aims to establish a national technical committee to enhance exam security and fairness.

To preserve the integrity of education, the Minister of Education has announced the randomization of questions in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). This measure aims to combat cheating, strengthen the integrity of the examination and ensure the credibility of the results. This measure follows the cancellation of the results of 3,500 students by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for misconduct.

A recent surge in examination malpractice cases in Uganda, encompassing 25 reported incidents within the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), has prompted police investigations. Among these cases, 10 pertain to UCE, while 15 are associated with PLE. While some suspects have been granted police bond during ongoing inquiries, the Kisugu High School's director faces serious charges under the UNEB Act for unlawfully confining candidates and disrupting an examination.

The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport has assured the public about the transparency and accuracy of Bac II examination marking. They've implemented strict controls during the marking process, ensuring no electronic devices are allowed, and employing secure measures overseen by the Anti-Corruption Unit. The Ministry guarantees fairness through anonymous marking processes and double-checking by editors and a subcommittee. The results will be announced on specific dates and published on official platforms to maintain transparency.

The Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture has revoked 31 private higher education licences after finding that the institutions did not meet the required standards in terms of facilities and student numbers, that teaching was poor, and that there had been allegations of bogus courses and fraudulent issuing of diplomas. The Ministry will help students from the institutions concerned to transfer to accredited institutions. Teachers who are found not to have been involved in the fraudulent schemes will receive the same assistance, otherwise, they will be blacklisted.