By Hilton Mwabili
At least 100,849 are expected to sit the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in the coastal region out of which 50,634 are girls.
While releasing the data yesterday, Coast Regional Education Director Adan Hussein disclosed that the number of girls is more compared to that of boys.
The official also announced that 49,982 candidate’s will sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) out of which 23,831 are girls. Primary School exams kick off on March 7 while the secondary exam kicks off on March 14, 2022.
The region has 508 centers for KCPE and 586 for KCSE both of which have been manned by security personnel to ensure safety of examiners.
Speaking in Mombasa yesterday, Hussein said public schools are leading with more number of candidates compared to private schools in both primary and secondary schools in the entire coast region.
“The exams are already in 44 containers in various parts of the Coast region. They are in good condition and we warn those planning to rig to know that we will arrest them,’” said Hussein.
Data shows that in KCPE examinations, public schools have registered 4,859 boys and 42,284 are girls. Private schools have registered 8,356 boys and 8,350 girls bringing a total of 16,706 registered private candidates both boys and girls.
In secondary schools, out of 421 centers, private schools have registered 22,276 boys and 20,344 girls bringing a total of 42,620 numbers of registered candidates who will sit for their KCSE in public schools.
Coast Regional Commissioner (RC) John Elungata said the government has given more focus on Lamu and Tan River Counties owing to its recent terror threats.
Candidates and exam managers in all exam centers will be tightly protected so as to ensure a successful national examination process. The tests include KCPE and KCSE for the 2021 class between February and April 2022.
“We have increased security personnel in areas that have security problems, this is because the government is determined to protect candidates and examiners and ensure a smooth floor of the examination process. The exams will be stored in containers with tight police guards and with Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs) and Sub County Directors of Education (SCDE) being the only people allowed to keep the keys to the containers,” said Elungata.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that 1, 2265, 507, candidates have enrolled for the 2021 KCPE while 831,015 will sit this year’s KCSE exams.
Speaking while on a visit to Taita Taveta County over the weekend, Elungata warned against examination malpractices and irregularities saying officials who may play part will be arrested.
“The exam must be free from malpractice and we warn examinations officers that anyone who thinks he can cheat will be arrested,” warned Elungata.
The second set of exams will be conducted in December and will involve KCPE, KCSE class of 2022 and the final assessment for the pioneer class of the new curriculum who will be completing Grade 6.
Those currently in Standard 7 and Form Three will sit their KCPE and KCSE examinations between November and December 2022 respectively.
KCPE will run between November 28 and December 1 while KCSE will be done from December 1 to December 23,2022.
