Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has said the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will not be postponed. Addressing the media today ,during the daily updates session on the Corona virus pandemic in the country, the CS said the exams will go on as scheduled; as not so much learning time has been lost, so far. He said by the time schools were closed, ten weeks of first term had been covered.
“My children are enjoying their holiday. We cannot risk their lives. We have worked on a backup plan and we shall not postpone exams,” he said.
On reopening of schools, the CS said such a decision would be arrived at depending on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Dead people do not take exams. The question of whether schools shall open on 1st May as planned depends on how COVID-19 crisis shapes up. Let no one tell you we shall postpone exams. Don’t get pressure over nothing. We have several scenarios” CS Magoha said.
According to the 2020 time tables from the Kenya National Examinations Council KCSE exams will commence on Monday November 2, 2020 to Wednesday November 25, 2020. The exam period shall last for eighteen (18) days.
The teachers’ unions have been calling for the postponement of the examinations.
The CS reported that learners who are engaged in teachings learning activities via various digital platforms.
“We are carrying on with online learning for our children who are at home,” he added.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD, is running daily radio and Television lessons to learners across the country; with major concern being on accessibility by intended learners.
This comes even as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country.
CS Magoha did not disclose the plans that his Ministry has put in place concerning administration of this year’s national exams. But, possible plans by the Ministry of Education could see reopening of schools only for the candidate classes (Class 8 and form 4).
Knec has already postponed diploma and certificate exams; in line with the President’s directive for closure of all learning institutions.