680,000 Standard Eight candidates begin exams

Over 680,000 candidates will Tuesday start sitting the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations countrywide.

Those with hearing, sight or physical deformities will be allowed extra time. (Read: All set for KCPE exam kick-off on Tuesday)

The Kenya National Examinations Council spokesperson, Ms Fridah Were, on Tuesday said the provision of extra time will be granted depending on the nature of the disability of the pupil.

“Those who cannot use the optical mark reader form to cross the correct answer will be allowed to answer on the question paper but they will not be forced to do so,” Ms Were said.

In Kangundo, area district education officer Muriuki Nyaga said that the examination rehearsals went on well on Monday at all the 66 examination centres in the area, adding that security had been boosted.

Elsewhere, rehearsals at examination centres in the Coast Province went on as planned.

The number of candidates in the region is reported to have increased.

The Coast provincial director of education, Mr Tom Majani, advised candidates to resist temptations from people who claim they have examination papers. He warned that those found copying will be penalised.

At the same time, 19 inmates will be sitting this year’s KCPE examinations at Meru and Kangeta prisons.

According to the officer in charge of the Meru GK Prison, Mr Charles Mutembei, a total of 18 candidates had registered at the jail but five have since been released.

“Many had said they would come to sit the exams but none has showed up,” said Mr Mutembei.

At Kangeta Prison, eight candidates will be sitting this year’s examinations after two others were released following an amnesty.

The provincial director of education, Mr Patrick Nyangosia, said rehearsals went on with no hitches reported in the region. “Everything is set and I can only wish good luck to the pupils,” he said.

Reported by Benjamin Muindi, Gastone Valusi, Rebecca Okwany, Charles Wanyoro and Bernardine Mutanu