Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has announced that the government intends to pull out deployment of police officers manning national exams.
Speaking at the Annual Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) Symposium on Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) held at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi County on Thursday April 25th, Kipsang emphasized that the aim of this directive was to create a conducive environment for young learners to perform to the best of their abilities during assessments.
READ ALSO: KNEC Says Grade 9 Exams to be Conducted in June
Kipsang strongly indicated that this new policy would take effect in the upcoming national exams.
“This is the most opportune time to change how we administer assessments. I’ll be very surprised to see police officers in assessment rooms this year. It’s time to let our children be children,” He stated.
Currently, police officers are stationed at exam centers to assist invigilators, ensure security, and prevent any disruptions. However, critics have argued that their presence may intimidate students.
In 2021, the government had prohibited police officers from handling exam papers, stipulating that only invigilators and supervisors were authorized to do so.
In addition, KNEC Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) David Njeng’ere announced other directives, including the rollout of Grade 9 assessment samples for selected schools.
Kenya National Examinations Council CEO David Njeng’ere during the National Assembly education committee meeting ;Image/File
“As part of the preparations for the summative assessment at Grade 9, we will develop tools for a pilot to be conducted in sampled schools in June. By October, we will distribute sample papers to familiarize every Junior School learner with the Grade 9 assessment process,” Njeng’ere stated.
Besides, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) disclosed that it had initiated a program to train teachers in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The TSC underscored its collaboration with stakeholders such as KNEC, KICD, KISE, and universities to effectively implement the program.
Ps Kipsang also noted that the ministry will avail 16,000 new classrooms to accommodate the first cohort of Grade 9 learners in 2025.
