By Charles Okoth
This is a special period in the history of mankind, as a species. Special in the sense that we are faced with a novel, gargantuan challenge: the coronavirus.
In the face of the ubiquitous pandemic, a lot of hitherto still sands seem to be visibly shifting. The tiny virus is literally moving mountains; even forcing sworn enemies into an empathic mode.
The essence of this preamble is that we should be ready for anything. What was once deemed insuperable must now be seen as the norm; at times as an historical, or even legal and unavoidable imperative.
The underlying factor is simple: what humanity needs now is survival, and any decisions made by any personality or institutions must be such as will ensure ‘human ‘special’ survival’ (the survival of humanity as a species). Anything not in line with that would be ill-advised.
Which brings me to the subject under question: the national examinations.
It is a fact that as of now, schools are closed. They were ordered closed vide an executive order. This was aimed at safeguarding our children from the Covid-19.
Those affected include our candidates for the national examinations, who are expected to undertake the examinations, sometime starting October/November.
In the face of this scenario, fundamental ‘imponderables’ come up: Should we, or should we not, postpone the examination?
As a trainee journalist/writer (at Daystar University), we were taught something about a ‘holding story’. I am fully aware that by the time this one is printed, a decision may have been made about the issue above. I want to believe that the decision will be rational, in the face of the underlying circumstances.
And the decision should be something to the effect that the examinations have been postponed. If that be the case, then an added justification is not bad. If not, a rationalization would be purely in order.
Exams must be postponed because of the following reasons:
Those students to be tested will definitely not be ready for the test. As of now, the students are not learning. The exam is set basing on the assumption that the syllabus will be fully covered. The teachers will also have formative evaluation; something that determines if what they are teaching the students is well understood. In the event that it is not understood, basing on the results, remedial teaching is normally done, sometimes as revision. If this is not being done now, the students will not have been effectively prepared to tackle the examinations. The objective of testing will thus not be met.
The circumstances are not entirely conducive for testing. This pandemic is an international trauma. It is what the Americans call a ‘game changer’. It has well-affected the world outlooks of all and sundry. As we know, our schools, which are supposed to teach our children how to prepare and face life’s challenges, do not do such a thing. So children can’t face the residual traumas, and be expected to behave as if nothing worrisome has happened. They need time to adjust; to absorb reality shock.
The teachers also need time to acclimatize. They are a very important parameter in the learning equation, and their state of mind is crucial if the examination process is to proceed smoothly. Remember that it is them who set, administer and mark the examinations. Are they in an emotional frame to do this effectively? Remember that those who are sick and dying are, in some cases, people close to these teachers. They ought to be given time to absorb it all.
Parents or guardians’ feelings are also supposed to be considered. Are they in the right mood to take their children back to school and have them readied for exams this year? Assuming the whole thing ended tomorrow? Well, perhaps tomorrow; but will it?
The KNEC mandarins, in spite of all shows of insistence, may not really be ready for successful administration of the examinations. They have also in their own ways been affected by both the mood and the phenomena. They are not immune to trauma.
Questions arise from what could happen if the exam is postponed. People wonder when, then, the exam would be conveniently administered. They also wonder what ought to be done after the virus thing is defeated (hey, it is going to be defeated, sooner than later).
Yes, schools will open. Teachers will start from where they left. Syllabi will be covered, then the exam can be given at the pleasure and convenience of the concerned parties.
From the look of things, this might not be earlier than next year.
I want us to recall that for the first time, the Olympics have been postponed, in peaceful times. The ethic and financial structure of the Olympics have received a body knock, but it had to be done. Let no one imagine that postponing the examinations would be an unthinkable eventuality. Circumstances necessitate this.
As things stand, it is now not a question of if the postponement is feasible. We should now be looking at the implications, and possibly when we will eventually stage the exams. My prayer is that schools resume in May. But the likely full month is June. This would make September the holiday month. If schools resume in October, we can have a short Christmas break, and resume in January. We can then have exams in March.
Well, the decision belongs to others. The everlastingly ‘acting’ CEO of KNEC, and her group, will earn their keep by giving us a modus operandi. Nevertheless, I have this question which has disturbed me even as a student: who says that exams should be given before the December holidays? After all, who doesn’t know that December is a rest month, when teachers are supposed to be with their families, instead of being holed up in student dormitories, marking exams? Who says that forever, the school first term should be in January, a time of lots of financial problems for families, some of which lead to suicides? Why cant we adopt term one to be in May-August, Term two in September-December, and the last and shortest term to be in January-March? Then the NjanuaryMblues, and the accompanying bankruptcies, divorces, and suicides will become a thing of the past.
I rest my case!
The writer is a retired secondary school teacher based in Busia
