In a decisive move to counter exam malpractice, Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has ordered the suspension of Telegram during key hours of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. The directive was issued last week by CA Director General David Mugonyi to major telecom providers, including Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom, and JTL, requesting the platform’s suspension on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM until the exams conclude on November 22, 2024.
Heightened Measures to Prevent Exam Misconduct
The Ministry of Education implemented these restrictions following multiple reports of exam supervisors smuggling mobile devices and materials to students, sparking concerns over potential misuse of digital tools to facilitate cheating. In response, the CA aims to limit access to social media forums known to be involved in exam-related information sharing, citing Telegram as a prominent platform in such activities.
Data Shows Restricted Telegram Access
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According to cybersecurity organization NetBlocks, internet traffic analytics indicate that Telegram usage in Kenya has been consistently restricted during the designated exam hours. The watchdog noted on X (formerly Twitter) that this is not the first time Kenya has imposed such limitations during exam periods to mitigate cheating risks.
“The measure comes as students sit KCSE exams and is consistent with past restrictions of Telegram observed in the country,” NetBlocks stated, confirming that similar steps were taken in previous exam cycles. Despite these interventions, Telegram Inc. has reportedly remained unresponsive to Kenya’s appeals to curb misuse on its platform, according to Mugonyi.
Balancing Education Integrity and Digital Access
Kenya’s CA has been increasingly vigilant during exam periods, balancing the need to secure exam integrity with the challenges of regulating digital platforms in real-time. By suspending Telegram, a popular communication platform, officials aim to minimize unauthorized information flow, highlighting the lengths the Ministry of Education and CA are prepared to go to uphold the standards of the KCSE exams.
These temporary restrictions reflect a growing trend among countries using technological limitations as a preventive tool in the fight against academic dishonesty, while also emphasizing the ongoing dialogue between digital platforms and governments over content responsibility and compliance.
