KUWAIT CITY, June 12: The Ministry of Interior has intensified efforts to monitor and take action against individuals and groups promoting exam cheating aids like hidden earpieces, special glasses and pens; especially during the endof- year secondary school exams. A security source confirmed the ongoing round-the-clock coordination between the Cybercrime Department and the Ministry of Education to track online groups and websites promoting the sale of such devices or leaking exam materials.

As a result of this collaboration, 17 accounts and groups in various social media platforms, including X, Telegram and WhatsApp, have been referred to the judiciary for spreading misleading information and sample questions falsely attributed to official secondary school exams. The source stressed that even if fake exams are shared, administrators of groups engaged in such activity will be tracked, arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution on charges of fraud and deception. He warned that participating in or engaging with these pages constitutes cyber fraud. “Parents and students are urged to remain cautious and rely solely on official study materials and mock exams issued by the Ministry of Education to ensure fairness and equal opportunity,” he stressed. He said some fraud operations are run by networks based outside the country, targeting students and parents with false promises of leaked questions. Aside from targeting exam content leaks, the Cybercrime Department is also monitoring the online sale and promotion of electronic cheating tools. The source warned that the use of mobile phones inside the exam halls, including taking photos of test papers, is considered a criminal offense.

“The Ministry of Education strictly prohibits mobile phones in examination halls,” he added. The Interior Ministry urged the public to report any suspicious activity or individuals involved in circulating exam questions by calling the emergency hotline 112. In another development, the Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law amending the Penal Code to provide more protection for the integrity of the educational system.

Two new articles, 259bis and 259bis A, have been introduced: • Article 259bis criminalizes the printing, publishing, broadcasting, promoting, selling or leaking of test questions or answers for intermediate or secondary education -- whether in public or private institutions -- when intended to enable or facilitate cheating, disrupt the examination process, or compromise its integrity. Offenders face imprisonment of two to five years and/or a fine ranging from KD1,000 to KD5,000. • Article 259bis A criminalizes the unauthorized modification of student answers or grades, punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years and/or fines ranging from KD5,000 to KD10,000.