All Systems Set For National Exams As Machogu Skips Meeting With Senators.
Senators are upset with CS Ezekiel Machogu for declining their invitation.
The CS skipped a meeting with the Education and National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations joint committees.
Instead, Machogu was represented by his personal secretary, Julius Jwan.
Machogu had written a letter to the committee and called the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Joe Nyutu (Murnag’a), to inform him that he would be absent and wished to be represented by his PS.
Senators, however, rejected the message and refused the PS.
“The tradition procures and procedures of this House dictate that the CS shall appear before us in person, not junior officers,” Minority whip Fatuma Dullo said.
Johnes Mwaruma (Taita Taveta), Wambua, Mohamed Chute (Marsabit), and minority leader Stewart Madzayo supported Dullo.
In light of widespread drought and famine, the MPs had asked the CS to explain the potential of reintroducing a school food program in arid and semi-arid regions.
Senator Enoch Wambua of Kitui, whose county is among the most drought-affected, had requested the statement.
Nyutu ordered Juan to leave the meeting and demanded that the CS come in person on Tuesday of the following week.
All Systems Set For National Exams
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), the County Commissioner’s office, the County Director of Education, the Teachers’ Service Commission, and teachers met at Saint Mathias Busia Secondary School to finalize preparations for the upcoming National Tests.
The meeting, presided over by Busia Deputy County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto, aimed to address key examination administration problems in order to achieve a competent, credible, and smooth process.
Ruto stated that extensive precautions have been taken to ensure that all examination centres and materials are protected before, during, and after the examination time.
As in the past, the DCC was confident in the readiness of his office to identify instances of exam fraud.
“Our police officers will work closely with exam centre managers to deliver a befitting environment that will accord all candidates maximum concentration in their exams,” assured Ruto, warning that stern measures will be taken against anyone who will attempt to engage in exam malpractice.
He stated that exam containers will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure the integrity of the vital materials and that, at the time of broadcast, no exam materials have been leaked.
At the ceremony, Busia County Director of Education (CDE) Nancy Afandi praised all participants for their crucial role in serving as role models for students at various educational levels.
“We have 28,553 candidates registered for KCPE, and 17,384 set to sit for KCSE in public, private schools, and private centres,” said Afandi.
The CDE added that KPSEA has a total of 29,867 candidates in public and private schools, but not in private centers like with KCPE and KCSE.
“For private centers, 12 candidates will take their exams at the prison,” added Afandi.
Charles Nyauma, director of TSC for the county, said that all exam centers had been adequately staffed with personnel, including invigilators and supervisors, to efficiently administer the exams.
“The centers are divided according to the number of candidates, with one supervisor manning 200 students,” said Nyauma, assuring that any extra number of students will be assigned another supervisor.
Nyauma cautioned that anyone found to have broken the KNEC code of regulations or the public officers’ ethics act will be prosecuted.
Kenya Primary Schools Educational Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) are scheduled to be administered.
According to a KNEC circular, (KPSEA) and (KCPE) rehearsals will be held on November 25, 2022, with the tests beginning on November 28 and concluding on November 30.
KCSE will be practiced on November 18 and administered between November 21 and December 23, 2022.
