Govt cancels leave for teachers and police ahead of KCPE, KCSE exams

The government has announced suspension of leave for all education stakeholders, including teachers and police officers across the country ahead of the upcoming national examinations.

Speaking at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi on Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i announced that the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams period will require all hands on deck.

KCPE is slated to begin on Tuesday, October 29 and will run for three days until Thursday, October 31 while KCSE is set to take place from November 4 to November 27.

The CS added that he will also be on duty throughout the exam duration, adding that no mistakes from teachers or security teams dispatched to the various counties to oversee the examinations will be tolerated.

“We are not going to allow any of our security people, especially the senior ones, to take leave because you know this time of the year is when we all have to focus on the welfare of our children,” he said.

Matiang’i also stated that the Interior ministry is well-equipped to handle any security issues during the examinations.

“Every morning, PS Kibicho and I get security reports from across the country. Every County Commissioner files a report every morning and every evening, and we’re in touch with all of them, and I can tell you with authority that we’re fine,” he stated.

“The security of the country is safe, and we’re okay, if there are areas in the country where we suspect will have challenges, whether it is because of the weather or whatever the case may be, we are ready to sort it out.”

He added: “And, fortunately, the President has been focusing on empowering and strengthening us, this year we even have more resources; we have more aircraft from the police. Which means we’ll be moving around without any problem at all, and I do not anticipate that there will be a challenge anywhere within the 47 counties.”

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) boss Nancy Macharia, on her part, announced that 33,720 teachers will be involved in marking the KCPE and KCSE examinations.

“No more leave for all teachers and other education stakeholders from now. The toll free number to report matters touching exam is 0800724900,” she said.

Ms. Macharia also pointed out that exam malpractices in the country have reduced, saying only 30 cases were reported countrywide in 2018.

Education CS George Magoha reiterated the government’s preparation in handling the exams saying “we have sealed all loopholes.

“Parents stop putting pressure to the children. Accept them the way God has given you..if she /he is to get a ‘D’, accept it. God has planned everything,” he added.