Education experts worry about effects of teachers’ strike on Kenyan pupils

KENYA: The 2015 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates are being subjected to psychological torture after teachers abandoned them weeks to the national examinations.

This is according to education experts who have warned that the current strike will haunt the country should this generation of candidates be subjected to such psychological torture.

John Agak, an educational psychologist at Maseno University, says that the candidates have been subjected to a rough end in their primary and secondary schooling, which may have long term effects on their future careers.

"It amounts to arrogance when you try to separate a learner from the teacher. When you are taking a candidate to an examination, it's important to have the teacher closest to that candidate to ensure that the candidates secure moral support in their mental faculties," said Prof Agok.

He added: "If you frustrate a teacher, it's like milking a cow with a 'rungu' in your hand and expect to have milk from the same cow. We are equally interfering with the children's personal development if this situation can't be reversed," he added.

Elimu Yetu Coalition's National Coordinator Janet Muthoni-Ouko said candidates are being subjected to unnecessary pain and also warned that history will judge the country harshly.

"It's not about the parent, it's about a child who is about to be subjected to an examination and the environment for the same exam is not conducive," said Ms Ouko.

She blamed the Government for its hard-line stance and advised it to go back to the drawing board.

"You cannot destroy lives of a future generation simply because you want to leave a legacy that a teachers' strike did not make you alter the examinations' period. It will be important for the Government to have the child at heart and reverse the decision of playing tough," she added.

John Wamakonjio, a senior lecturer at the School of Education in Moi University, faulted Education CS Jacob Kaimenyi and told him to consult widely with those in the inner core of the education system before making a decision.

"Theory directs practice but practice corrects theory. As an old hand in the game of education, I would like to remind the CS that he is dealing with theory and that's why he quickly arrived at a decision to close down schools, but we on the practical side, would like to correct that theory he holds that candidates can just be left alone to take a national examination," said Mr Wamakonjio.

Annoyed candidates

He added: "Had he consulted widely, he would have been told by experts that his action alone has scared, frustrated and annoyed the candidates who at this time need peace in totality; peace which comes with the presence of a teacher in the school compound."

He blamed such hasty decisions for the dwindling quality and standards of education.

"Don't think our children cross over to Uganda for nothing. Our neighbour Uganda has consistent systems and a proper calendar for education and with this kind of interference, what would prevent one from contemplating crossing over to take a smooth secondary education in Uganda?" he posed.

The experts have accused Kaimenyi of allegedly failing to realise that final examinations must be treated equally every year.