Insecurity poses grave threat to candidates

The fate of thousands of candidates in banditry-prone regions hangs in the balance as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) start administering exams today (Monday).

The candidates are not sure whether they will write exams without disruptions that has characterised their learning journey. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) starts today while Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) began last week.

Some of the insecurity-prone areas include North Rift, northern frontier and parts of the coast where learning activities have frequently been paralysed due to cattle rustling, banditry, terrorism and inter-clan conflicts.

For instance, in Tana River, at least eight primary schools with candidates sitting for KPSEA whose schools were closed over the recent ethnic clashes have been forced to sit their exam at one secure point.

The affected schools include Jajabu, Matagala, Nanighi, Subo, Tune, Ghamano, Darime and Mitobini primary schools.

The schools which are all from two sub counties have remained deserted after two communities clashed in a deadly dispute which arose over land ownership and water resource use.

The security committee led by Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei said Bura Constituency will sit for their exam today at Nanighi village centre where all security agencies have established their camps.

According to reports, all schools in three wards in Tana North and Bangale sub counties comprising of Nanighi, Anole, Maramtu, Darime, Salla, Furaha, Vango and Ziwani primary schools have remained closed following deadly attacks which also left families displaced and teachers fleeing the area.

These candidates’ path to their academic milestone has been fraught with obstacles stemming from fear and uncertainty as clashes continue to disrupt many regions.

It is feared that the current insecurity in the counties of Baringo, Tana River, Turkana, Laikipia, Isiolo, Mandera, Garissa, Elgeyo Marakwet, Lamu, and West Pokot will cause some candidates to miss their exams.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Saturday assured that the government is prioritising students’ safety and all candidates will be allowed to sit exams.

“We are working with a multi-agency team to ensure no learner misses their exams. Some are being moved from centres close to insecurity,” Ogamba said, noting that alternative testing locations are being set up where needed.

He said the government will map out hot spots, especially in Kerio Valley, which have recently been attacked by bandits.

“We have made adequate security arrangements which have been a major concern. We shall deploy enough personnel in the examination centres and others to patrol the areas,” said Ogamba.

However, James Lokut from Kapedo is anxious about the distance his children may need to travel to sit for exam safely.

“There has been a lot of fear. How will the candidates sit for exams when several schools have been affected? Our concern as parents is the distance to where the government will relocate candidates as alternative centres,” noted Lokut.

Hussein Omar, vice-chairperson of the Nairobi West Muslim Community, said the government should take seriously the tough realities facing students and parents. “Relocation poses a challenge to the candidates, as it means they would have to walk long distances at a time when security is not at its best,” he said.

A bemused Peter Biwott wondered how this arrangement will guarantee safety having failed last in the the North Rift region. 

“Will students in such areas be expected to sit the same exams with those in serene areas and be ranked the same?” he posed.

Teachers unions have also raised concerns with Collins Oyuu, Secretary General of Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) calling on the government to ensure safety of teachers and students.

“We urge the government to enhance security in these regions in order to prevent any disruptions during the exams,” said Oyuu.

His Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) counterpart Akello Misori said security situation in Lamu, northern Kenya, parts of West Pokot and Baringo remain a concern.  “We have insecurity in some areas that don’t give conducive atmosphere for exams to be administered smoothly, we ask that the government ensures security is offered in these areas so that the exams are not interfered with,” Misori said.

Amid the insecurity concerns, CS Ogamba was upbeat that there was sufficient security to ensure learners take their papers in a serene environment. “If there will be a situation, we will deal with the challenges as they come. Every student who is supposed to do their papers will have an opportunity to sit for it in whatever area of the country they are,” he assured. 

But despite government assurances, some parents like Jack Omollo are not sure their children will sit the exams due to disciplinary cases.

Omollo whose child is a candidate in Kakamega, accuses the school administration of frustrating his son to a point of planning to commit suicide. “My child has been home for an entire term after he was suspended over allegations known to school. He went back and a day later was sent away for going to the lavatory during class time,” he claim.

Grace Amboka from Naivasha finds herself in a similar situation after the her son stayed away from school for a whole year.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) chairman Willie Kuria assured that no registered student will miss exams.

“What I know is that for discipline cases, students are recalled to sit their exams. The candidate has a contract with the Council and no principal can stand in the way to stop a student from siting an examination,” he said.

Additional report by Hassan Barisa