Baringo County leaders want schools re-opened for KCPE, KCSE candidates

A section of Baringo County leaders have urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider re-opening schools for Class Eight and Form Four students who are set to sit this year’s national exams.

Speaking in Kabarnet on Friday, the leaders led by County Assembly Speaker David Kerich and Majority Chief Whip Reuben Chepsongol argued that should the government fail to postpone the KCPE and KCSE exams, students in rural areas will be disadvantaged since they lack resources to facilitate their learning from home.

“As we fight this Covid-19 pandemic, let us also remember that we have Form 4 and Class 8 candidates who are waiting to sit exams that will determine their life in future… I’m suggesting that the government makes an arrangement for the candidates to go back to class and still maintain social distance,” said Mr. Kerich.

“E-learning can be done by schools in Nairobi and urban areas, but how do you tell someone in the village who does not have electricity or computer about e-learning.”

The Majority Chief Whip faulted the Ministry of Education for saying that students should continue learning  from their homes yet others have no access to phones or the internet, hence, will not be adequately prepared from the exams.

“All students cannot be treated in the same way. There are those who can access e-learning while there are many others who have no TVs, phones or computers,” said Chepsongol.

On Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta indicated that the government is not planning to reschedule the exams over the coronavirus pandemic.

“As it stands, our position is that the candidates will sit their exams. We are just looking at the adjustments we need to make on when it will happen, and what we need to do for them to catch up on the time they have lost,” the president explained.

He was speaking during a live radio interview with national Swahili radio stations: Radio Citizen, Radio Jambo, Radio Maisha, Milele FM and KBC’s Radio Taifa.

Last Sunday, Education CS Prof. Magoha said students are undergoing online learning, adding that the Education Ministry has not considered postponing this year’s KCPE or KCSE exams.

“Up to this moment, nobody has thought of postponing the KCPE and KCSE exams and to the best of the government’s ability the children are getting online learning,” said Magoha.

“I’m aware that parents are very apprehensive but they should be fair with themselves because government has not pronounced itself that the exam will be postponed.”