TEACHERS and pupils have been warned against cheating in the KCPE exams. Malindi district education officer Mary Kamarua also cautioned fraudsters against duping parents and students.

"We know that some cons have now started collecting money from students and parents claiming that they have exams. Let these people be warned that they will not be spared," she said.

"We are warning anyone who will be caught cheating or helping students to cheat in exams. If they are reported or found they will face the law."

Kamarua was speaking during the KCPE briefing in Malindi yesterday. The Knec Act serious stipulates that exams cheats be jailed for 10 years or pay a Sh2 million fine.

"Therefore I am urging everyone to be responsible and honest," she said. Kamarua said exam cheating is a letdown to education. "Students should prepare well to avoid panicking and looking for short cuts," she said.

The DEO said tight security measures have been put in place to curb any exam disruption. A Malindi High School teacher was recently arrested for trying to help 128 students cheat in national exams.