Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations began Monday morning with President William Ruto distributing examination papers to candidates in Kikuyu Township Primary Kiambu County.
Candidates in class eight and those in grade six kicked off the three day exercise countrywide as education ministry officials and exam supervisors availed themselves at exam collection centers.
The president wished all the candidates sitting for the exams across the country good luck as he led them in prayers.
“As our children begin their exams this morning, we pray for their success. We are with them in this journey; we have provided enough space for their progress in education.” Said President Ruto.
He said the country had their full support and assured them of the government’s support going forward saying there is enough placement of schools.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was at St.George’s Primary School to oversee the exams.
Other leaders are visiting various examination centers to oversee the distribution of examination materials.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has assured all candidates that all is good, saying they have set two main command centers at KNEC headquarters and the Ministry of Interior for coordination and response to any emergencies during the exams.
He said The government had deployed some 60,000 police officers, with special attention being given to insecurity-prone areas to ensure the exams are not disrupted.
Meanwhile, earlier today (Monday), the Ministry of Education directed all the officers responsible for administering the national exams to ensure that all learners sit the examinations.
This following reports received by the ministry that there are schools/examination centres which, for one reason or the other, did not register some of their candidates for the upcoming Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination.
The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Education Ezekiel Machogu noted that failing to register learners for examinination was a serious breach which wrongfully disenfranchises them adding that appropriate action will be taken against those responsible, in accordance with the law.
CS Machogu also advised all affected learners to report to their respective schools/designated examination centres for purposes of sitting the examination on the scheduled dates.