In a world where technology is transforming nearly every facet of life, it is difficult to ignore the reality that education must also embrace these changes. Omboko Milemba, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Emuhaya, recently made waves by calling for the inclusion of mobile phones in examination rooms, an argument that has sparked both praise and controversy. His stance challenges the traditional barriers to technology in educational settings, urging the government to leverage mobile phones as tools to enhance learning and examinations.
During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Milemba argued that students should be allowed to bring mobile phones into exam rooms, given the significant role technology plays in modern education. He emphasized that, with technological advancements on the rise, mobile phones have become indispensable tools for students. Rather than being perceived solely as distractions, phones, according to Milemba, can be a valuable enabler in the exam environment.
“Imagine a day when we walk into an exam room and are asked to bring the following items: a ruler, a calculator, and a mobile phone,” he stated. This vision encapsulates his belief that, just as calculators and rulers have been normalized in exam settings, so too should mobile phones. He further criticized the current approach, which treats mobile phones as potential threats to the integrity of exams, leading to the employment of police officers to guard exam rooms and ensure phones are not used for cheating. According to Milemba, this view is out of step with the technological era.
The legislator’s comments reflect a growing frustration with the outdated stance toward technology in the education sector. He pointed out that mobile phones, unlike in the past when calculators and log books were also banned from exam rooms, should now be seen as tools that can assist students in the examination process. “It is unbelievable to see police stationed in exam rooms to prevent students from using mobile phones,” he lamented, suggesting that it is more a reflection of our reluctance to adopt new technology rather than a real security concern.
Indeed, Milemba’s argument is grounded in the realities of the current educational landscape. With over 900,000 students sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams this year, the role of technology in education has never been more pronounced. Students today are no longer just passive recipients of knowledge; they are digital natives who have grown up in a world where access to information is at their fingertips. In this context, the inclusion of mobile phones in exams could serve as an effective tool to bridge gaps in resources, access, and educational equity.
The MP’s remarks also touch on a historical perspective on educational tools. He recalled a time when calculators were banned from exams, and students found themselves penalized or even publicly shamed for attempting to bring one into the exam room. The shift in policy to allow calculators was a milestone in recognizing that such tools enhanced students’ ability to perform under pressure. Milemba believes that mobile phones should follow this same trajectory. These devices can house apps for solving equations, calculating complex formulas, and accessing educational resources, all of which could help students perform better in their exams.
However, Milemba’s perspective is not without its critics. The fear of cheating, using phones to access unauthorized content, or sharing exam questions has been a persistent concern among educators and examiners. The government has imposed stringent measures, such as assigning police officers to guard exam centers, to prevent such misconduct. The idea of further relaxing rules to allow mobile phones could potentially heighten these concerns, making it necessary to find a balance between fostering technological advancement and ensuring exam integrity.
Despite these concerns, Milemba’s proposal invites a broader conversation about how education systems can evolve alongside technology. As mobile phones become more integrated into everyday life, it may be time to rethink how they are viewed in academic settings. Instead of banning them outright, a more forward-thinking approach could involve incorporating them as tools that enhance the examination process while also putting measures in place to prevent misuse.
As Kenya’s 2024 KCSE exams continue, with students already sitting for subjects like English, Chemistry, and Mathematics, the conversation about the role of technology in education is only just beginning. The outcome of this debate could set the stage for future reforms that will see mobile phones used not just as communication devices, but as integral components of the educational experience.
In the meantime, while the proposal to allow mobile phones in exam rooms is far from being realized, the shift in thinking about technology’s role in education is an important step forward. Whether or not phones will be allowed in exam rooms in the near future remains uncertain, but Milemba’s comments have certainly brought much-needed attention to the potential of technology to enhance the learning and examination processes in Kenya. The key challenge will be finding the right balance that ensures fairness and academic integrity while embracing the possibilities of the digital age.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has taken a significant step toward improving cervical cancer screening in private healthcare facilities across Kenya. Read more
Lecturers at the University of Eldoret have vowed to continue their strike and protests, insisting that the government fully implements Read more
A growing wave of discontent has surfaced within Kenya's National Assembly over the Ministry of Education's proposed role in managing Read more
Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has urged primary school teachers to fully embrace digital innovation Read more
President William Ruto awarded a charter to the National Intelligence and Research University (NIRU) during a ceremony held at State Read more
In Japan, the proportion of high school boys who have experienced their first kiss has reached a record low, with Read more