Kenya National Examinations Council to airlift exam papers to distant, insecure places

Lessos Holy Family Catholic Parish Priest Fr. Michael Thairu blesses form four candidates of Terige High School during prayer day at their institution

The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) is considering hiring more security personnel and choppers to ferry examination papers to far-flung and insecure areas.

Knec announced the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) begins on October 14 and the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) on November 4.

Turkana and other areas in Northern Kenya which experience insecurity and extreme flooding during examination periods will have special transport arrangements to ensure the examinations are not interrupted.

Turkana County Education Director Nicodemus Anyang said they expect the first batch of theory papers for KCSE to arrive in the county from Nairobi on October 12.

He said Knec is prepared for any eventualities during the examination periods, noting that areas like Kapedo in Turkana East sub-county, which has rampant insecurity will have special security arrangements to ensure the examination is not interfered with by bandits. 

SUFFICIENT SECURITY

The director said Knec has agreed to hire additional security personnel to provide sufficient security. "In fact, Knec has assured they will hire choppers in case of emergency to deliver the examination to areas with difficult terrain and insecurity across the country," Anyang said.

Dr Anyang said school heads and teachers who are expected to supervise the examinations have been briefed in Nairobi about the progress of the examinations.

Anyang noted that invigilators will be deployed next week to sub-counties to supervise the examinations. He said some Non-governmental Organisations working in the region, especially in Kakuma refugee camp have agreed to offer transport arrangements during the examination period.

According to the director, about 2,600 candidates will undertake KCSE examination in Turkana while another 6,200 will sit KCPE.

Anyang said transport arrangements at national and county levels have been finalised to ensure the examination papers arrive at the centres on time. He said out of 35 secondary schools in the region, only 19, both public and private, will sit the KCSE examination.

He said the other schools in the category are still new and only have students in Form One and Two. He added the schools were created recently in the academic transition period in the county.