Smooth start to KCSE exam amid boycott threat by teachers

 

NAIROBI: Form Four practical examinations went on smoothly Monday even as teachers’ unions asked their members to boycott the exercise.

Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) Chief Executive Officer Joseph Kivilu said all 185 examiners were present to administer examinations in French, German, Arabic and the Music practical.

“We did not report any hitches as the practical examinations kicked off Monday. These examinations will continue for the whole week and we hope we shall not encounter any problems,” said Mr Kivilu.

He said Knec had a working arrangement with the teachers and noted that the trained examiners do not have a problem administering examinations.

The 2015 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) timetable shows that Music, Arabic, German and Sign Language practicals were scheduled to be done between Monday and Friday this week.

Building and Construction together with practical planning sessions for Home Science shall be done on Thursday. The sessions shall continue through to next week when other practicals on Art and Design, Electricity, Building and Construction shall kick off.

Kivilu said the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations would kick off on November 10 while KCSE written examinations shall start on October 12.

Kivilu said some some 937,467 candidates had registered to sit KCPE and 525,802 for KCSE.

Speaking during the launch of the examinations last week, Kivilu pleaded with teachers not to let the candidates down.

Education PS Belio Kipsang said all measures have been taken to ensure Form Four and Standard Eight examinations are done.

“Security shall be enhanced and measures put in place to secure the examinations and children. All logistics have been put in place,” Dr Kipsang said during the launch of this year’s examinations.

“Let us not divert the attention of our children at this point in time. TSC and the ministry appeal to teachers to help children build their future,” he said.

Meanwhile, a section of church leaders have pleaded with teachers to return to work as the talks to resolve their salary row are initiated.

The Evangelical Church Leaders of Kenya said they recognise that teachers have a legitimate reason to push for additional pay but noted that the plight of 1.4 million children is equally critical.

They also said that the Government has a legitimate concern over the wage bill and noted that the two need to sit and talk to strike a middle ground.

The 18 bishops from different evangelical churches said in the event the two sides cannot come together, they are willing to arbitrate.

“We offer to arbitrate between the conflicting institutions in regard to the industrial dispute along with other religious leaders,” said Bishop Mark Kariuki of Deliverance church.