By Kelvin Sang, Eldoret
The future of 23 candidates is in limbo after sitting for fake exams of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KEPSEA) exams in Eldoret.
In a disturbing turn of events, police in Uasin Gishu County apprehended two officials from Silver Bells Academy in Kimumu Estate, Eldoret, following allegations that they failed to register Grade Six students for the official Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KEPSEA) exams and instead had them sit for falsified exams.
This incident came to light after concerned parents alerted local authorities.
On Wednesday morning, officers from the Uasin Gishu police department, accompanied by education officials, raided the unregistered private school. The school directors, reportedly desperate to mask their non-compliance, are alleged to have reprinted and edited last year’s exams, presenting them as legitimate KEPSEA papers for the 23 enrolled students.
The Uasin Gishu County Director of Education, John Gitonga, confirmed the arrests and announced the immediate closure of the school. Gitonga reassured the affected parents that the Ministry of Education would step in to support the affected students, ensuring they can continue their education without further disruption.
Parents expressed anger and disappointment over the deception, stating that they had been misled by the school’s management throughout the exam period. “We trusted the school to provide a legitimate education for our children, only to find out that they were sitting for fake exams,” one parent commented.
In a statement following her arrest, one of the school directors claimed she had been deceived by “rogue officers” who had supplied her with fake registration certificates. However, authorities remain skeptical and continue to investigate the matter.
The closure of Silver Bells Academy underscores the Ministry of Education’s commitment to regulating private institutions and protecting the interests of students and parents. The ministry has pledged swift action to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
