This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.
As the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education comes to an end, concerns have been raised about the impact of massive security mobilization on the candidates.
Given the history of examinations, which were plagued by cheating and malpractices until 2016, the government has made significant efforts to curb these vices and restore sanity and credibility to the exams.
As a result, cheating has been significantly reduced, and candidates are now assured of achieving grades that reflect their true abilities.
However, the way exams are being administered needs to change. The current approach, which involves high-ranking government officials monitoring the exams, is intimidating and creates the impression that exams are a life-or-death affair.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has assured that this year will be the last of enhanced securitization of national exams, but there are better and friendlier ways of managing exams while maintaining credibility and legitimacy.
Learners need a comfortable environment to think clearly, and they do not need so much government presence around them.
Furthermore, the Education ministry should review the school calendar to ensure that schools do not close too early in the third term, leaving non-candidates at home for an extended period.
With proper planning, it is possible to have non-candidates stay in school during the exam period without compromising the tests.
The government needs to devise better and humane ways of managing exams, and the scary scenes witnessed in schools during the KCPE exams should come to an end.
