NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 29 – Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has appealed to teachers, parents, and guardians not to expose candidates to risky activities during the examination period set to begin Monday.
Machogu made the plea following the tragic drowning of five pupils from Arap Moi Primary School in Uasin Gishu County, Eldoret, which occurred on Saturday.
According to police reports, the five pupils who lost their lives were part of a school group that had visited the Amazement Park Hotel for recreational activities.
They were accompanied by their teachers when tragedy struck after they boarded a boat, which subsequently capsized in the man-made dam.
A Grade Six candidate who was injured is undergoing recovery at the hospital.
“I wish to assure everyone that the government will take all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of candidates across the country during the 2023 national examinations season,” Machogu said.
Machogu extended his condolences to the grieving families and assured them that an investigation into the tragedy had already been initiated, urging for calm and patience.
“Appropriate action will be taken on the basis of the findings of the investigations,” he said.
A total of 1,415,315 candidates will commence their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams tomorrow, marking the final transition of the country to the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The Ministry of Education has provided assurance that necessary measures have been implemented to ensure the examination’s integrity, thereby eliminating the possibility of any instances of leaks or misconduct.
