This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
Kenya: Pupils Upbeat As KCPE Exams Come to an End ¶
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations concluded on a positive note, with pupils exuding confidence in their performance.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha hailed the low number of teenage pregnancies as a positive sign, stating that it indicated parents were talking to their children.
However, a spot check by the Nation in a few counties revealed that close to 20 teenage girls delivered during the examinations, with many others at various stages of pregnancy.
At Onger Primary School in Nyatike Sub-county, Migori County, 11 KCPE candidates were heavily pregnant, with parents settling matters in secrecy.
"Our hands are tied in this matter because the affected parents sometimes turn hostile when approached to discuss the matter," a senior teacher at the school said.
In Siaya, 14 expectant candidates did the examinations in Rarieda and Gem sub-counties, with schools in Gem reporting cases of teenage pregnancy.
Bomet County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding said cases of teen pregnancies were on the rise in the region, and vowed to apply the law to protect children from predators.
The government had placed ambulances and other vehicles on standby to ensure the girls received medical care during the examinations.
Despite the challenges, hundreds of candidates missed the examinations for various reasons, with 1,088,986 candidates registered for this year's test.
At least 11 candidates from the Kabonokia religious sect did not turn up for the exams in Tharaka North Sub-county, while 79 candidates failed to turn up in Meru County.
Prof Magoha said the Teachers Service Commission had taken action against teachers involved in malpractice, and that detectives had arrested eight suspects over examination cheating at Hezta Academy in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County.
Marking of the examinations will start in a few days' time, with results to be released before Christmas.
