Nairobi — Form Four students in Kwale and Msambweni districts who boycotted mock examinations last week communicated through mobile phones to arrange the strike, student sources told the Nation Thursday.

The sources blamed "weak" students and sellers of fake examination papers for the strike in at least 10 schools.

The Nation learnt that threatening text messages were sent to candidates in the affected schools, telling them not to sit the exams and leave for home, failure to which their schools would be set on fire by arsonists.

The students have been on strike for two weeks after boycotting the mock examinations now underway in the province.

Students from Waa Girls High School, who did not wish to be identified, said they left for home after receiving telephone calls and text messages from students from Kwale High School, asking them to leave for home or risk their school being burnt.

"We had started doing the examinations because as far as we are concerned, there is nothing wrong with sitting the mocks because it gauges one's preparedness.But persistent telephone calls and text messages from students from other schools who were already at home after refusing to sit the examinations forced us out," the girls said.

"These people who sell fake final examinations have been moving round the schools during open days and visiting days masquerading as parents to preach to students the need to boycott mock examinations, arguing that when students fail mock the examination and pass the final examination they will be disqualified for cheating," one of the students said.

Open days

They said "weak" students who did not like sitting examinations had taken advantage of the situation and were discouraging the rest from sitting the mocks.

Shimba Hills High School principal Robert Aran concurred with the students and advised fellow school heads to impose a ban on open days and punish students caught using mobile phones in schools.