The Role of Security Officers in Administering National Examinations in Secondary Schools

Abstract

1 his study wos set to Invosticiiiie the role of security officers in the management of national ouminotions in secondary schools In Arusha City Council, The study specifically: Identified the type of security officers involved in the management of national examinations, assessed the responsibilities of security officers in the management of national examinations and identified the challenges faced by security officers during the management of national examinations, The study used mixed research approach and employed parallel convergent design. Data was collected from 107 respondents where by Questionnaires ware used to gather data from police officers (POs), while face to face interview was used for Regional Police Commander (RPC), Regional Security Officer (RSO), Officer Command District (OCD), and District Security Officer (DSO) and officers from Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) Quantitative data ware analyzed descriptively while qualitative data ware thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that, the type of security officers involved in the management of national examinations in secondary schools are; Examinations Officer from NECTA, Police Officers, State Security Officers, Regional Police Commanders, Regional Security Officers, Officer Commanding District, District Security Officers and the PCCB officers. Their responsibilities include; Provide security and ensure safety for invigilators and supervisors, ensure safety of the examination itself, ensuring integrity for personnel involved in conduct of examinations, preventing malpractice and corruption, ensuring security during transportation as well as student scripts and to make sure students do their examinations in a peaceful environment, Major challenges faced by security officers during the management of national examinations were; Insufficient payment, presence of examinations malpractices, lack of training in examinations management and insufficient allocation of Police officers at examination