Teachers' unions demand safety measures for exam officials and candidates amid heavy rains

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) warned that heavy rains could disrupt the transport of examination papers and expose teachers and learners to danger, particularly in areas prone to flooding and landslides.

(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/teachers-unions-demand-safety-measures-for-exam-officials-and-candidates-amid-heavy-rains)

They urged authorities to put the safety of examination personnel first and cautioned against risking lives to meet examination schedules.

KNUT Kakamega North Secretary General Shadrack Ngayi questioned whether enough contingency measures had been put in place to deliver examination materials to communities that could become inaccessible as water levels rise. He urged teachers to avoid crossing flooded rivers and using dangerous roads, saying examination duties should not take precedence over personal safety.

The unions singled out Budalang'i in Busia County, where flooding frequently affects transport, and Malava in Kakamega County, which has experienced landslides, as areas needing heightened vigilance.

KUPPET Busia Branch Secretary General Charles Mukhwana called on the Ministries of Education and Interior and other agencies to intervene in vulnerable communities and protect teachers, learners and their families. He stressed the need for early action to prevent flooding from disrupting candidates' examinations and affecting their performance.

Busia County Director of Education Mary Oichuyu said preparations were in place, noting that examination supervisors and centre managers had been briefed by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). She said security officers would escort examination papers from storage containers to examination centres.

Mumias East Deputy County Commissioner Beatrice Odira urged parents to give candidates a peaceful environment throughout the examination period, which runs until November 20. She cautioned against activities such as disco matanga and political rallies near schools, saying candidates need adequate time and a quiet environment to concentrate.