KNUT Demands Security for Teachers and Students During National Exams

KNUT Demands Security for Teachers and Students During National Exams.

Officials of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) from Samburu County have called on the national government to enhance security for both teachers and students during the upcoming national examination period.

Their primary concern is to prevent a recurrence of banditry attacks on examiners that have historically disrupted the exams.

On Monday, KNUT National Chairperson Patrick Karinga urged the government to implement security measures to ensure the safety of students and teachers as exams commence on Tuesday.

Karinga emphasized that as supervisors head to oversee the exams, they are highly concerned about their safety.

He appealed to the government to provide sufficient security to teachers during this critical exercise and also urged the authorities to address the ongoing issue of delayed payments for teachers involved in the process.

Local Officials Highlight Security and Logistical Issues

Richard Lentaya, the KNUT Secretary General in Samburu County, echoed Karinga’s concerns. He noted that banditry attacks in vulnerable areas disrupt the smooth running of national exams for both teachers and students.

Additionally, Samburu East MP Jackson Lekumontare highlighted logistical challenges, including flooding, which often hinders the timely delivery of examination materials.

He urged the national government to provide better transportation options, such as high-endurance vehicles or helicopters, similar to what was done in the previous year.

Lekumontare stressed that such solutions were necessary, especially in flood-affected areas.

Lentaya supported this sentiment, suggesting that powerful vehicles should be provided to ensure the examination materials reach students in all areas, regardless of road conditions.

He further recommended the use of helicopters to deliver exams to regions with impassable roads, similar to how elections are conducted.

Exam Integrity Measures in Busia County

Meanwhile, in Busia County, County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga issued a stern warning to examiners against cheating in the upcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams.

Chaunga informed examiners of new anti-cheating examination materials that would detect and report any instances of photo-taking to the headquarters in Nairobi.

He warned teachers against using phones in exam halls and taking photographs of the exams, cautioning that violators would face severe consequences.

Busia County Education Director James Ekalio also urged examiners to uphold integrity during the examination process. Ekalio reported that there had been attempts to bribe students with promises of exam leakage and “Mwakenyas.”

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He assured that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministries of ICT and Interior, is vigilant and committed to ensuring that students complete their exams without any coercion into cheating. He warned that legal action would be taken against any examiners involved in such practices.

The national exams are set to begin this week, with KCSE commencing on Tuesday and KPSEA following on October 28. The government remains focused on ensuring the exams proceed smoothly and without malpractice.

KNUT Demands Security for Teachers and Students During National Exams.

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