The Education Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Belio Kipsang has emphasized the need to create adequate confidence among professionals in the teaching profession in order to reduce the huge investment made by the government during the delivery of examinations.
Dr. Kipsang said this year alone, the government invested Sh. 4.2 billion for the management of national exams.
He added that close to Sh. 1 billion, will also be spent to pay 264,446 field officers who include centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and security agents while 2 billion will go to markers of the exams.
The rest is expected to be used for other logistical needs such as hiring of choppers, and fueling vehicles as well as paying allowances to various government officers involved in the exercise.
Speaking on Thursday at Thika Examination Centre where he opened exam container, Kipsang said going forward, the Ministry will not have to go through the long process of witnessing the opening of examination containers if a culture of honesty was inculcated into the teaching profession.
He emphasized on the need to instill confidence among the examiners where in coming years, the examination will not be given so much focus and attention.
The PS said for the last three years, there has been tremendous improvement on the way examinations have been managed, terming this as a clear indication that the sector is moving towards the right direction.
Kipsang challenged parents to responsibly play their role of giving their children an opportunity to give their best.
He also called on teachers to give the students an opportunity to give their best instead of focusing on what they think the students should deliver.
However, he blamed the society for expecting too much from the teachers adding that the exerted pressure sometimes pushes the schools to an extent that they do things unlawfully adding there is need to make the environment more relaxed for the children.
Dr. Kipsang assured Kenyans that the examinations are on the right track in the 12,000 examination centres around the country, adding the number of malpractices this year is minimal.
He however, added they are dealing with various cases as a challenge and are isolating cases depending on their nature other than stereotyping the challenge.
The PS commended the media for conducting themselves professionally and engaging with the society during their reporting on exam matters, adding that this has played a great role in ensuring the country moves in the right direction.
He was accompanied by Attorney General, Kihara Kariuki, Thika DEO, Ronald Mbogo, and Thika Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Douglas Mutai among others.
By Lucy Wangai
