The ongoing KCSE has been characterized by a few cases of exam malpractice that have seen nine centre managers sent home for conspiring with supervisors and learners to access unauthorized material in various exam centres. Speaking at Kolanya Girls Friday, Teso North Sub County, when he inspected the ongoing exams, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu noted that 28 cases of exam malpractice had been reported across the country, involving 46 students. Machogu added that they had also confiscated 9 phones containing suspected examination material and also recorded two cases of impersonation. ‘We have embraced a multi-agency approach in manning these exams and I want to assure the nation that we are going on well, despite a few cases, where nine centre managers were arrested for conspiring to indulge in malpractice,’ he said. The CS has however assured the nation that they have managed to secure the exams, despite few cases of malpractice. ‘I want to warn those individuals who will try to indulge in cases of exam cheating that we are vigilant and we will arrest and arraign them to answer charges,’ he added. Machogu acknowledged challenges faced in various schools as a result of the 100% transition policy by the government to give equal opportunity to all Kenyan children. ‘I understand most schools are stretched due to inadequate resources, however, the government has put in place sufficient measures in place to address the same. For instance, so far over 30,000 teachers have been employed to address the teacher-student ratio in schools,’ he added. Machogu also assured parents that all students who sat for KCPE this year will be placed in various schools of their choice based on their capability and talent. ‘KCPE results will be released before the end of this month and all candidates will have an opportunity to join secondary school,’ he added. The CS later visited Chamasiri Technical Training College to commission a school bus purchased by NG-CDF before donating over 100 computers to the ICT lab at the institution to boost e-learning and equip learners with computer literacy skills. The institution also received 5 teachers to boost the delivery of learning. The CS was accompanied by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, and local county commissioner Kipchumba Ruto among other leaders from the region. While giving his sentiment, Kaunya noted that the sub-county had a shortage of 300 teachers in primary schools and over 230 teachers in secondary schools, a situation that had contributed immensely to poor performance. The MP further added that least three local schools were operating without neither school heads nor deputies, causing administrative crisis at the institutions.

Source: Kenya News Agency