President Kenyatta pledges to reform exams for physically disabled

President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised to consider a request by physically disabled students for reforms in the country’s examination system so that it is presented to them in formats they can manage.

The students, who were part of youth who participated in the Seeing is Believing Initiative of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards and President’s Award – Kenya, made a presentation to argue their case why disabled students should do their exams in other formats including through computers.

They said that physically disabled students are forced to do exams in the same format, specifically writing on paper, like other students even though they are limited by their physical state.

“We fail exams because the examination markers cannot read what we write. Why can’t the exams be presented to us in soft copies so that we can use computers. When we use computers what we write will be clear,” said the group of students from Joytown Special School, Thika.

The students said that even though they have the same mental capacity as other students they fail because they are limited by their physical disability and requested to be given an opportunity through other formats that will allow them to compete at the same level.

President Kenyatta said he will look into the request and will give a response soon.

“We will do something about your request,” the President said as he encouraged the students to ignore those who tell them that they cannot achieve. ”Do not let anybody put you down because disability is not inability.”

Principal Secretary for Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, was at the event held at Old Moses Camp, which is located at an altitude of 3300 metres on Mount Kenya. Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu attended the event.