The government has issued a directive regarding Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates currently sitting national exams countrywide, a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced new Covid-19 containment measures.
The government Spokesperson, Rtd. Col Cyrus Oguna, on Saturday, March 27, said the move was meant to allay fears after parents and stakeholders expressed concern over the safety of students with the new development.
Oguna assured parents that the students will be catered for and that the government will ensure they are facilitated to get back home safely.
"They should not be worried at all. The Ministries of Education and Interior have an elaborate plan to ensure that all the students currently sitting for exams will get back home safely.
"That is the message I want to communicate with the parents. We are aware of what they are going through and are up to date with our candidates’ progress," Oguna said, adding that the schools will coordinate with the two ministries to ensure children get back home.
KCSE exams commenced on Friday, March 26, and will end on Wednesday, April 21.
Uhuru, while addressing the country, postponed face-to-face learning in all education institutions, save for KCSE candidates and medical training institutions. The President revised curfew hours for Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru to start from 8 pm to 4 am and 10 pm to 4 am for the other 42 counties.
“With respect to education in Kenya, there shall be the immediate suspension of all on-going physical learning in all our education institutions including universities and tertiary and vocational colleges, other than for candidates sitting for their examinations and those in medical training institutions, until otherwise notified,” Uhuru said.
He also barred movement in the five counties profiled as a disease zone, imposing a 30-day cessation. This means that he will review these new measures on April 27, six days after the KCSE exams end.
Oguna clarified the Head of State’s directive and noting that those wishing to leave the counties under the one zone area have until Sunday, March 28, to relocate. This includes university and college students too.
"Nairobi County, sandwiched between Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado Counties will not have roadblocks to monitor restriction of movement. However, Regional Police Commander may mount roadblocks to enforce other security and Covid-19 containment measures," he stated saying that blockades will be placed in the three counties alongside Nakuru.
