KCPE Stars In Baringo Unaware That Exam Was Released.
Journalists from various media outlets crisscrossed Baringo County to deliver Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results to candidates who were unaware that the exam results had been released.
On Tuesday, March 29, the journalists, accompanied by security officials, informed the students of their outstanding performance, with some scoring over 350 out of 500 points.
One of the students who received 367 points told the press that the results came as a surprise because they were unaware the results were available.
“I have scored 367 marks and if it was not for the banditry attacks, I would have scored over 400 marks,” he stated.
Cynthia Jerop, another top student, learned the news after journalists and security officials tracked her and her family to a forest where they were hiding from attackers.
She explained that she had to flee to the forest because their home had become unsafe due to constant raids by badits.
“Right now we are living in the forest. The chaos have become too much and we do not have any hope of joining secondary school,” stated Jerop.
When asked about the delay, education stakeholders in the area explained that it was caused by the insecurity that has ravaged the area for years.
Elijah Kiptoon, the headteacher of Kapindasum Primary School, explained that some of the students had fled to neighboring counties and were difficult to track down.
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He stated that the delay could impede their transition to secondary school, and that the area’s instability was affecting the future of many students.
“The issue of insecurity in the area is still very big. When the exams were done, I had to work in conjunction with the General Service Unit (GSU) to ensure the students got home safe. I am not sure what awaits these students because as of now four of my students have been orphaned,” he stated.
KCPE candidates were occasionally interrupted by gunshots fired by security personnel or bandits raiding nearby villages. An attack just before the exams killed at least seven villagers.
Insecurity had paralyzed learning in a number of schools. Some students had to be transported to examination centers in police vehicles.
Candidates from Arabal and Kapindasum primary schools took the exams at Chemorongion Primary. Students from Sinoni and Kasiela schools were hosted by Mochongoi High School.
Even after taking the tests in such difficult conditions, some of the candidates performed admirably when the results were announced on March 28 by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha.
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Mr Elijah Kiptoo, headteacher of Kapindasum Primary School, stated that the top students received 365 out of 30. Five candidates received at least 350 points; 18 received between 300 and 349 points; and six received between 250 and 299 points. The lowest score was 243. The school received a mean of 289 in 2020.
During the examination period, the school was manned by 12 General Service Unit officers each day. Teachers must be escorted by GSU officers to the school.
An image of armed police officers at a past operation in Mandera County.
KCPE Stars In Baringo Unaware That Exam Was Released
