Kilifi pupils might be issued fresh exams, says Mutula
Some of the 37 Standard Eight pupils of St Catherine’s Barack Obama and Michelle Obama Academy speak to journalists at the school last week. Photo/GEORGE KIKAMI
What you need to know:
- 37 pupils failed to sit for their national exams after the head teacher of St Catherine's Barrack and Michelle Obama Academy failed to register the candidates
At least 37 pupils from Kilifi County who failed to sit for their KCPE examinations over registration hitches might get fresh exams if dialogue between the Ministry of Education and the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) bears fruit.
The pupils failed to sit for their national exams after the head teacher of St Catherine's Barack and Michelle Obama Academy failed to register the candidates.
Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo told Nation that the ministry will meet KNEC officials to discuss the way forward.
“I have given instructions to my PS to meet with KNEC and find a solution to the plight,” he said.
“They will discuss possibilities of supplementary examinations be given to the pupils,” he added.
Mr Kilonzo said the pupils will not suffer consequences of mistakes committed by other persons.
“You cannot punish innocent children over criminal activities by other people. A child does not have money for exam registration, parents provide. Children don't know how to register for exams; they trust their parents and teachers for the process. The children will not be dismissed as though it's their fault,” he said.
He said the pupils can be issued with exams because they are few and the national exams have just been concluded.
In his message to the students, Mutula said, “I care about your welfare and schooling and trust that a solution will be found to your problem.”
KNEC Chief Executive Officer Paul Wasanga confirmed that talks with the PS in regards to the candidates are ongoing.
He also said that KNEC will investigate the problem before making a decision on whether the pupils will sit for fresh exams.
“We are in talks over the candidates but I cannot comment about their exams as we are trying to establish why they did not do,” said Mr Wasanga.
KNEC had earlier said that they cannot give the students alternative exams saying, they do not have a policy to administer exams to unregistered students and challenges involved in the process of issuing fresh exams.
Meanwhile, police are still searching for the missing head teacher, Mrs Catherine Agolla.
“We have reinforced our search with intelligence officers to try and locate the whereabouts of the head teacher,” said Kilifi Police boss Clement Wangai.
KCPE examinations ended on Thursday last week.
