An invigilator attends to a KCPE candidate on Tuesday at St. Georges Primary School. [Photo|Citizen TV]
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations kicked off in Kisumu County with the candidates being assured of security as they sit for their papers.
The examinations started amid tension following the heated debate over last week’s repeat presidential elections in which President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.
Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julius Jwan who witnessed the opening of the examinations container in Kisumu town said the government was keen at ensuring the examinations were successfully conducted and with no incidents of cheating.
Jwan who was flanked by various School Heads and education stakeholders assured that that security had been stepped-up in the region to protect the candidates and examination materials.
The CEO said he will make impromptu visits to examination centers within the Nyanza region to ascertain that the exercise was being conducted within the laid down regulations.
Manyatta Primary School in Kisumu County, he said was having the highest number of candidates within the Municipality with a total of 300 candidates sitting the examinations.
Kosao Primary school is second with 250 candidates followed by Arina Primary School which has close to 200 candidates.
The number of KCPE candidates in the region, he said has increased following the government’s move to slash off examination fees.
Examination fees, he said hindered many high potential pupils especially those from humble backgrounds from registering for the national examinations.
The candidates sat for 3 papers; Mathematics, English and Composition on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, they will take Kiswahili, Science and Insha papers and conclude the exercise on Thursday with Social Studies and Christian Religious Education (CRE).
Parents among other Education stakeholders in Kisumu County have however called upon the government to ensure that the prevailing political atmosphere does not deal a blow on the national examinations.