A double cabin washed away after a bridge collapsed on a seasonal river following heavy rains in Mwingi/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 29 – The commencement of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams was delayed Tuesday morning in parts of Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot owing to the impassible state of roads in the affected areas that have encountered heavy rainfall in recent days.
It was not immediately clear how many schools were affected but the Ministry of Education insisted it had put measures in place to ensure examination materials are disbursed to examination centers.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Mahoga said the ministry had 1o helicopters on standby to dispatch examination materials in areas which are inaccessible by road.
“We have rains that have affected some regions. However, we have 10 helicopters that will be used to access those regions. No child will miss an examination,” the CS said when he inspected the opening of examination containers in Mombasa Tuesday morning.
Prod Magoha reiterated his ministry’s commitment to overseeing a tamper-proof KCPE examination assuring stakeholders of a seamless exercise.
He warned action will be taken against individuals who attempt to compromise the integrity of the administration of KCPE 2019.
“This year’s exams, as I had told the nation earlier, has been only seen this morning. The fidelity of this examination is unquestionable,” said Prof Magoha.
He however said there have been attempts by teachers in certain regions to buy examinations papers.
“We are aware of a lot of backroom plans by certain teachers in certain hotspots, but so far we have not picked any fake examination paper,” the CS said.
The exams kicked off at 8.30am with the administration of Mathematics which will be available in three variants – normal print, large print and braille.
The examinees will then sit for English Language and Composition assessment available in normal print, large print, braille and for the hearing impaired.
Day two of the national exercise on Wednesday will see candidates write Science and Kiswahili Language and Composition exams.
The three-day assessment will close on Thursday with the administration of Social Studies and Religious Education exams.
The Teachers Service Commission has licensed 28,000 school heads to act as Centre Managers during examinations in addition to 173,000 teachers who have been assigned to officiate the examinations.
READ: KCPE kicks off nationwide as govt officials oversee distribution of exam materials
CS Magoha warned Head Teachers who might turn away candidates due to fee balances saying action will be taken against them.
He said every child must be given access to the examination room, and if there are any other issues, they will be sorted out later.
“I want to warn centre managers, who may attempt to block children from taking examinations for whatever reasons. You cannot stop a child to sit for an examination because they failed to pay Sh300,” said Prof Magoha.
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