Nairobi, KENYA: Cabinet Secretary for Education Fred Matiangi has reiterated that the exam calendar will stick according to the plan even after the change of elections date by Independent Electorate and Boundaries Commission from date 17 to 26 October.
Speaking during security and education commissioners meeting at Kenya school of law on Monday, Matiangi said that only Home science practical paper will be pushed to date 30th from 26th of October arguing that same date will be elections date which may interfere with the exam but insisted the rest of the tests will remain as scheduled.
“We have been given all resources to facilitate this examination. We have no excuse for failure. We shall stick to the timetable. Let us make sacrifices where necessary,” he said.
He noted that pushing the exams even for a week will be a recipe for disaster for school calendar.
The CS further issued a warning to students that may try to steal the exams saying the tests will be carried with military precision watch, warning also managers who may be found guilty of misconduct that whey will face full force of law.
“The Ministry of Education has put in place stringent intelligence-gathering mechanisms to curb cheating during this year’s national examinations.” He noted.
Matiang’i added that, they have put in place logistical plans that will ensure materials are transported to the examinations centers all across the country, saying the ministry has got 419 containers where the papers will be kept safely.
He said that the papers would be locked in shelves for marking in April and the release of results in June.
“This is to say children in standard eight would waste an entire year as we try to come to terms with outcomes.”he said.
He pointed out that circulars for picking and returning examination papers will soon be issued by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to all county and sub-county directors, urging the team to do what is right and deliver credible exams.
The CS however, asked teachers working for the election to consult their TSC county and sub-county directors for clarity.
