Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during the start of Kenya Primary Schools Education Assessment, Mathematics paper at Westlands Sub-County Headquarters in Nairobi on October 28. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
Candidates in at least eight primary schools which were closed over the recent ethnic clashes in Tana River county will sit for Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) in one centre.
The security committee led by Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei resolved that all KPSEA candidates in Bura constituency will sit for the exams Monday in Nanighi village where security forces have established camps.
Tana North sub county education director Feiswali Obbo said that the security organs decided to have candidates sit exam in Nanighi where there is adequate security.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki deployed Kenya Defence Forces, General Service Unit, regular and administration police to the disturbed areas last month.
The security teams have been conducting operations to flush out illegal guns.
Obbo said every school has a supervisor, invigilator and police officer who will man the exams.
Speaking to The Standard on phone, he assured that no candidate will miss exam despite being moved from their schools.
Obbo noted that the affected candidates are from Jajabu, Matagala, Nanighi, Subo, Tune, Ghamano, Darime and Mitobini primary schools.
But Bangale deputy County Commissioner Joseph Kipkorir said that Vango and Anole primary schools were safe for candidates to sit exams.
"We don't have a problem. We had conversations with respective leaders and agreed the candidates sit their exams at the school compounds since there is enough security," he said.
Many schools in the conflict-hit areas have remained deserted after two communities clashed over land ownership and water resources.
County director of Education Celestine Mwasaru said that teachers declined to go back to class over insecurity.
According to reports, all schools in three wards in Tana North and Bangale sub counties have remained closed following the deadly attacks that left 19 people dead.
The conflict also displaced families and led to the closure of Nanighi, Anole, Maramtu, Darime, Salla, Furaha,Vango and Ziwani primary schools.