National examinations that commenced Monday countrywide were forced to start late due to the heavy rains and poor road network in Mt. Elgon Constituency. According to Dornald Etyang, the sub-county director of education Mt Elgon, Koshok, Kipkama, and Kibieto primary schools were forced to start late after the vehicle transporting the examination material was unable to reach the centers after the heavy rains that swept the road. Etyang also established that there was a shortage of examination material at Laboot Primary School but it was also sorted out immediately to enable the examination to continue. In Kopsiro Sub County, according to the Kenya National of Union Teachers Stephen Chemonges, the majority of pupils sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination and Kenya Primary School Examination Assessment around Kopsiro started the examinations about an hour behind the official scheduled time. It is commendable, however, that despite our topography and rainy weather, teachers have made their way to school to discharge their duties diligently,’ lauded Chemonges. He, however, noted that the greatest challenge was the lack of vehicles and fuel to get the examination papers to the nearest accessible centers. The unionist said, ‘The government has displayed unpreparedness, especially in terms of the transportation of examination materials in this region, and we challenge the relevant officials to act swiftly in bridging this gap as the examination continues.’ The most affected schools included Kaptum, Kaboriot, Banandega, Chepkurkur, Korng’etuny, and Kapchebuk among others. ‘All is well in terms of pupils’ and teachers’ preparedness for the examinations despite the heavy rains experienced throughout the night; we, however, have made an effort to tow the vehicles and ensure everything is in place,’ reported Etiang.’ Chemonges has conclusively requested that the Ministry of Education looks into the issue of pupils whose names have not been captured in the nominal rollout of the examinational council as soon as possible. ‘We need the government to give us at least one of the 205 vehicles distributed across the country since we have an uphill task to reach many schools in the remotest of areas in this region,’ Chemonges prayed. On the other hand, while leading the Mt Elgon sub-county security team in monitoring the national examination Deputy County Commissioner Lotiatia Kipkech confirmed the security of the examination centers. Kipkech said that security personnel have been deployed to all the examination centers. The Deputy County Commissioner visited various schools namely Kibuk, Kimobo,Elgon Eagle Academy, Kipchiria and Kimkum Primary respectively confirmed that the centers were safe. However according to the Sub-county director of education Etiyang by the end of the business, all schools in the sub-county had submitted back examination material. A total of 7096 candidates are expected to sit for the national examination with 3009 to sit for KPSEA and 4087 to sit for KCPE.
Source: Kenya News Agency