15 teachers test positive for Covid-19 as national assessment tests kick off

Class Eight candidates at Kakamega Hill School sit for KNEC Maths test paper. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Learning at Star of the Sea Primary School and Tononoka High School in Mombasa County has been suspended after 15 teachers tested positive for Covid-19.

Standard Digital has established that four teachers at Star of the Sea Primary School including the principal and 11 teachers at Tononoka High School have tested positive for the virus.

The teachers said they started showing symptoms of the disease and decided to take private tests.

Mombasa Education County Commissioner confirmed to KTN News that the two schools will be opened after two weeks.

 Learners at both schools are however yet to be tested.

This also comes as Grade 4 and Class Eight pupils across the country begin sitting their national assessment tests today.

Students at the affected schools will not be sitting for the tests that are being administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

A spot check on Wednesday morning revealed uncertainties as there were no exams in some schools.

At Moi Avenue Primary School in Nairobi, it was a fairly quiet morning as pupils sat the exams only a week after schools reopened.

At Mombasa's Nyali School, the deputy headteacher confirmed that the tests were underway.

At around 11 am when The Standard team made its way to the school, pupils were writing their English papers.

"We believe the students are well prepared since they were learning online while at home," he said.

He added that they are fearful after news of Covid-19 cases broke in some schools in the county but are keeping safe by following the stipulated health protocols.

A visitor is denied access at Ganjoni Primary School in Mombasa County due to an ongoing examination. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

However, in Uasin Gishu County, the situation was a little different as teachers reported that they were yet to receive the test papers.

The tests, which were postponed due to yesterday's Mashujaa Day Celebrations are meant to assess the pupils' level of preparedness as learning resumes across the country.

According to KNEC, tests for Grade Four pupils will last between 10 minutes and two hours.

The timetable further shows that Standard Eight tests will last between 40 minutes and three hours.

The partial reopening of Grade 4, Class 8 and Form four students signals the beginning of the second term that will run for 11 weeks.

Schools will then close on December 23 with the candidates expected to resume classes again on January 4, 2021.

Class eight candidates will sit their KCPE exams from March 22 to 24 and Form Fours to sit their KCSE  from March 25 to April 16, 2021.