By Reuben Olita
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) Medium Enterprises Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni today presided over the opening of KCPE and KPSEA exams container, at the Deputy County Commissioner’s offices in Amagoro, Teso North Sub County.
Addressing the press after the exercise, the PS wished candidates from the county and Western region the best of luck in the exams that will end on Wednesday, November 1st, 2023.
“It’s my humble hope that the exams will avail us future leaders in social-economic and political spheres,”she said, adding that the two exams for standard eight and Grade six are used to validate what candidates have done for the past eight and six years respectively.
She added: ” The State Department of Basic Education has put measures just in case of flooding especially in Budalang’i. As a government, we are well prepared to ensure exams are done without any hitch.
“Schools should shun from any temptations of exam cheating. Engaging in exam malpractices is tantamount to cheating pupils’ careers,” she said, urging them to follow what the government has recommended by doing exams with zero cheating.
Hon. Mang’eni said traffic snarl-up witnessed along Malaba-Bungoma is hampering trade in the border town that is the gateway to East and Central Africa.
She noted that the national government is working on expanding the road for ease of trade; President Ruto’s planned visit to the county will address these challenges with the ultimate result of boosting the country’s economy in terms of revenue generation.
The PS later toured Kakurikit Primary School, which was recently ravaged by heavy winds that blew the roofs of classrooms. She also wanted to know the aftermath of the incident on the pupils and teachers.
County Director of Education Mr James Ekaliyo said 31,500 candidates are sitting for KCPE exams and 30,780 candidates for KPSEA exams across the county.
The CDE urged school heads or centre managers to allow KPSEA candidates who, for one reason or the other, their names are not appearing in the nominal roll or failed to register sit for the exams.
County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto said the government has put elaborate measures in place to ensure exam papers reach schools despite the rerrain.
” We have organised exam papers for two centres in Bunyala South Ward be picked from Bondon in Siaya Sub County while those for schools in Sigulu Islands on Lake Victoria, will be delivered by Kenya Coast Guards Services boat.
Mr Ruto warned those found calpable of engaging in exam malpractices of dire consequences, adding that no stone will be left unturned on cases of irregularities and malpractices, if any.
Others present included County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer, William Makori, Teso North Sub County Director Education Elizabeth Marangach, Teso North DCC Stemphen Wambura and senior county police officers.
