Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examinations Begins

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Submitted by IQ4News on Wed, 09/11/2011 - 9:15am

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examinations began on Tuesday with no cases of exam cheating as has been in the past.

By Joab Apollo

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examinations kicked off on Tuesday morning with security being tightened to avert increasing cases of exam cheating and security threats from Al Shabaab militia group from Somalia.

Most schools completed the rehearsals on Monday with prayers conducted for the candidates.

In the northern and some western parts of Kenya, heavy downpour of rain disrupted distribution of exam papers as roads were impassable and some exam centers flooded.

A spot check by IQ4News at some schools in Eldoret and Nandi County revealed that the Kenya National Examinations Council has put stringent measures to ensure that the examination process runs smoothly.

At Chemundu Primary school in Nandi County where 30 candidates are registered for the three-day examinations, the students took their exams undeterred.

There was a police Officer manning the exam hall and the school to ensure safety of the candidates.

The school’s Head Teacher, Kipkosgey Maiyo said his students were well-prepared having taken them through quality learning processes that would see them become better students when they proceed to High School.

“My students are well-prepared through the dedicated and hard work of my teaching staff. We expect good results when they will be released,” he said.

He however lamented that one of his students is missing exams after dropping out of school due to pregnancy, an issue he said affects many public schools in Kenya.

“It’s unfortunate that one of my students is missing the exams after dropping out of school due to pregnancy”.

Unlike many schools in the rural areas where K.C.PE candidates have to rush home after examinations for lunch break, the school has introduced a unique feeding program where upper classes (standard six to eight) students take lunch in school.

The serenity at Chemundu was also witnessed in nearby schools like Father Boyle Academy, AIC Baraton Academy and Chepterit.

Free Primary Education

On Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Paul Wasanga issued guidelines and allayed fears that the process would be disrupted by heavy rainfall and security issues.

“All is set and we hope that the strict measures we have put in place will yield results. We wish this year’s candidates the best of luck” Wasanga said.

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examination (KCPE) is in its 7^th edition since the introduction of Free Primary Education by the Kenyan government in 2003.

The influx of students has however adversely affected the process with many schools unable to handle the increasing number of students due to shortage of teachers.

The government is yet to change its policy of one teacher per class.

Varsity students arrested

Over the past years, national examinations in Kenya, both for secondary and primary schools has elicited an outcry from stakeholders who cast aspersions at the Examination Council for not dealing with exam cheats.

Last week, some public university students were arrested for sending answers via text to secondary school students having their exams.