Education ministry bans mock examinations
The Education ministry has banned mock examinations in schools in a bid to contain the increasing cases of unrest that have been attributed to exam-phobia.
Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said schools will only be allowed to conduct internal examinations saying that mocks were exerting unnecessary pressure on students.
“We have to do away with the many mock exams in schools from sub-county to county mock examinations that are exerting unnecessary pressure on learners,” said Prof Kaimenyi.
He made the remarks at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in Nairobi, during a stakeholders forum on schools unrest that was convened amid an increase in the number of strikes in secondary schools.
ENFORCE DISCIPLINE
The CS directed country directors of education not to accept mock examinations initiated by several governors across the country.
Counties that have been affected by the strikes are Embu, Nakuru, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Machakos, Kericho, Busia, Bomet and Migori. Machakos has the most cases of riots at 26 so far this year.
Prof Kaimenyi also directed school boards of management to collaborate in enforcement of discipline in schools.
“All county education boards must be firm but fair in ensuring the safety of learners and school properties, including taking legal action where found necessary and appropriate,” he said.