Don't panic, national exams will be marked fairly - Prof Magoha

Education CS George Magoha, May 2021. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has assured Kenyans that the loaded 2022 exam calendar will remain as scheduled.

Magoha who spoke in Murangá County yesterday assured this year's candidates in primary and secondary schools that the government will ensure fairness in marking the examinations despite the loaded calendar.

He said that preparation of the national examinations was in top gear and marking will take the constricted academic timelines into consideration.

The 2021 national examination that would have taken place by last December,  the CS said, will be conducted in February, starting with the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

In March 2021, Standard Eight candidates will sit their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination according to the timelines set by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).

In May, national assessments for the inaugural Grade Six under the Competency-Based Curriculum will be undertaken nationally as well.

The CS said between October and December, the second cohort of CBC will undertake Grade Six assessment simultaneously with 2022 KCPE candidates and 2022 form four (KCSE) candidates.

The CS spoke at Kamahuha Girls and Highlevel Secondary schools in Murang’a when he inspected the construction of new classrooms to accommodate a double intake of students from the 8-4-4 system and the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) curriculum.

 "I am reaffirming here that the examination will proceed uninterrupted as planned as the March examination is ready. I am calling on the pupils and students not to panic,” said the CS.

In the management of the education sector, Magoha warned politicians against interference in an election year saying those who dared would be dealt with.

“Public servants are mandated to ensure the continuation of government programmes and we appeal to those who will take over after President Kenyatta's term ends to ensure that the already existing programmes go on without interference,” he observed.

In the construction of CBC classrooms, Prof Magoha stated that the propject is going on well and that phase one of the construction should be completed by March 1.

“Some classrooms are already at the painting stage and I appeal to contractors to complete the works before March 1 so that we can embark on phase two which will start in April and end in June,” he said.