CORD: Ongoing teachers’ strike a threat to credibility of KCPE, KCSE exams

Students walk along the streets of Kisumu to catch a means of transport to their homes on September 19,2015, a day after education cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenyi ordered all schools closed over pay stalemate between  government and teachers. [PHOTO/COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

CORD leaders are now demanding that the government presents this country with a credible plan for the management of KCSE exams, which have begun and the upcoming KCPE.

The opposition leaders say the strike is threatening the quality of national exams and acceptability of Kenyan children in colleges they desire and deserve to join.

“Teachers are critical to the sanctity and credibility of exams and subsequent results. This strike threatens that sanctity and credibility and only the government can and must end it without threats, blackmail or victimization.”

In a press statement, Cord leaders said exams must be administered by professional teachers, not any new recruits or just anybody in it for money.

“This crisis has been caused by the fact that the Government has refused to honour a court ruling. Sacking any teacher would only worsen the crisis we are already in. It would cost the education sector more.”

Cord leaders are asking Jubilee to act like a responsible and credible government and end this strike and stop the compilation of the hit-list that targets teachers.

“There is no rational, financial, technical or economic reason for the government to keep the dispute going while at the same time planning to recruit more teachers.”

Cord alleges that Jubilee has no case based on costs but an irrational purpose in continuing the dispute and a determination to break and crash the Labour movement in Kenya.

“We appeal to Jubilee to embrace genteel concerns; consensus values and compassion. Jubilee must develop the instinct for conciliation and learn the dangers of arrogance.”

Cord finds the cause of the teachers compelling and the case for the candidates overwhelming.

“Mr. President, we demand from you and your government a credible plan out of the teachers’ mess. We want you to tell us how KCSE is being done without supervisors and how candidates are sitting exams without their teachers. Mr. President, tell the candidates and their parents what the plans are for the marking of these exams.”