Fifteen inmates at the Kajiado GK Prison will be among 1, 088, 987 candidates expected to take part in this years’ Kenya Certificate of Primary Examinations (KCPE) which officially commences on Tuesday.
The inmates underwent their rehearsals on Monday with three of the candidates who had registered for the exams failing to show up after completing their sentences.
According to the Examination Centre Manager, Jecinta Ndungi, the three candidates who did not show up for the rehearsals Monday were expected to show up for the national exams tomorrow as they had been contacted.
Ndungi noted that education is a key tool in shaping life aspects among inmates and it should be given a priority with the concerned departments so as to enable develop ‘rogue’ citizens to be better people who could use their energies in developing the nation,
“Most of our inmates want to be given that opportunity to read and write because when they come here, they think of their future and what they will do once they are done with their terms. Most of them opt to continue with their education thus the government should invest more in the department, as we depend on well-wishers from textbooks, pens and furniture,” she said.
Ndungi noted that the prison had a mean score of 241 marks in last year’s KCPE examinations and was hopeful that this year the mean score would go higher as the candidates had been adequately prepared.
Frederick Mutiso, 28, an inmate at the facility said he was confident that he would pass his exams as he had prepared well.
“I have prepared well for the exams and I am confident that I will perform well. When I was young, I didn’t get the chance of completing primary school due to many challenges in our family but with this opportunity I am focusing on giving my best shot so that I can attain better marks which will enable me to continue with my secondary studies and be an inspiration to my family and the community,” said Mutiso.
He further appealed to the society to be more welcoming towards inmates who have completed their terms of imprisonment to ease the transition from being a prisoner to a civilian.
“For me, I have got only a month in this correctional facility and while being here, I have managed to complete my primary studies and even by the time I will be getting out maybe my results will be out and more so will determine the direction that I will move. Therefore, I am appealing to the public to recognize us and help us integrate in the society by showing us affection, offering jobs so that we can be able to start our lives again. As other citizens, we need second chances,” Mutiso told KNA.
Peter Sankale another candidate at the facility said he was ready for the exams and was confident of performing well.
The County Adult Education Coordinator, Salome Terah said all measures for the exams were in order in all the five sub-counties.
“We have identified 11 adult examination centers in the entire county whereby all of our 631 candidates will be sitting for their exams. We have 232 KCPE and 399 KCSE candidates,” said Terah.
On Tuesday, the candidates will begin with mathematics paper at 8:30am; English section A starts 11:00 am and English Section B starts 2:30pm.
On Wednesday, Science starts 8:30am; Kiswahili Lugha starts 11:10am and Kiswahili Insha B starts 2:10pm.
The exams will end on Thursday with Social Studies and Religious Education which starts at 8:30am.
By Rop Janet/Albert Lemomo
