Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is racing against time to adjust its logistics plans after the Meteorological Department warned of heavy rains during the upcoming national examinations, raising fears of flooding and transport disruptions in several regions across the country.
Already, signs of flooding have been reported in the traditional flood prone areas of Budalangi, Kano plains and Bura.”We fear transportation of exam materials will be hampered by the ever increasing rains in the Nandi hills slopes which always causes flooding in Nyando areas,” said Mr Hapson Ong’any, one of the transporters who has been contracted to transport exam materials in Kisumu county.
A report done by Education news on the preparedness of this year’s assessments in the western and North Rift counties revealed that many roads that will be used to transport exam materials next week are in sorry state owing to heavy rains being experienced in the region.”This time round, we expect knec and ministry of Education to provide four wheeled vehicles otherwise the exam time table will be affected,” commented Willy Lugusi one of the Head of institution in Kakamega county.
Some parts of the famous Kerio Valley are in dire state after a long period of neglect by the county governments due to insecurity concerns. The roads were further affected by the continued rains. “We plead with the government to provide helicopters in this region to assist in faster transportation of exam materials along the Kerio Valley “, commented Pius Chepchieng, one of the local administrators from the valley.
Education news further established that, unlike the rest of the years when exam season was marked by dry spell, there’s need for a heightened multi-sectoral approach in the management of this year’s assessments. Need for makeshift tents, alternative forms of transportation, and stand by first aid team to mitagate the effects of the prevailing weather. KNEC has planned for ipto 2,692 transporters for this year’s KCSE across the country. The number is projected to go up if additional arrangements are made in case challenges.
Report from the meteorological department indicates that rains are not expected to persist throughout November. By the early of second week, chances of slowed rains that will culminate mainly to afternoon showers. It is projected that by mid November,there will be a shift towards warm and mostly sunshine dominance by end of November. As wet exam period begins, Education News advices teachers to be onlook out especially in areas that are devasted by floods.
By Naboth Murunga
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