Big blow to millions of candidates set to write 2023 KCPE and KCSE as the Ministry of Education through its Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang, banned all mock and joint examinations for all schools.
According to the statement dated July 6, a Ministry representative, in their correspondence on July 14, provided further details on the purpose of the measure, emphasizing its aim to address the mounting cases of school unrest.
The move aimed to reduce the commercialization of education hence centralized mock examinations were done away with. “The purpose of this circular is to ask you to bring to the attention of all schools within your jurisdiction and take corrective measures to stop any occurrence,” read the statement in part.
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Schools were allowed to have joint continuous assessment tests (CATs) between schools on either bilateral or multilateral arrangements; provided they were not mock examinations and no special payment is charged to students.
The education ministry further advised all schools to desist from holding any inter-school examinations since the program would interfere with the school calendar.
Kipsang added that the decision was agreed upon after a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Education and the Special Investigation Team chaired by David Koech and Claire Omollo respectively.
In a circular released by former Education permanent secretary Karega Mutahi in August 2008, the government prohibited mocks to streamline student assessment. He directed that no whole tuition will be allowed to take place in schools.
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Mutahi further directed that remedial learning should be confined to weak learners and no fees should be charged for tuition while prep time should be left to students to carry out individual learning or revision work without formal teaching.
The ministry said that school strikes had been leading to increased tension in schools, particularly in boarding institutions According to the ministry. These strikes were motivated by a variety of challenges faced by students, as well as their demands for better conditions.
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The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) expressed their concern about student strikes in 2021, which were reportedly triggered by the announcement of shorter half-term breaks announced by the ministry.
The union’s chairman Omboko Milemba explained that mid-term breaks were essential for students to ease pressure and allow parents to counsel their children before resuming school.
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In a statement dated Thursday, July 6, 2023, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang charged education directors nationwide to ensure the ban is implemented.
He stated that the notice was to have all schools adhere to the directive stating that they will interfere with the current school calendar.
“The Ministry thereafter issued circulars to that effect. These circulars are still in force, and all schools are advised to desist from holding any inter-school examinations as this will interfere with the school calendar,” read the statement.
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