Uncertainty as court suspends KCSE midyear exams

Uncertainty now clouds the fate of KCSE repeat and absentee candidates after a court decision to suspend the recently launched July-series KCSE examination.

The Standard yesterday established that the Kenya National Examinations Council has halted the registration of KCSE repeat candidates for the July examination.

However, it was not clear whether the candidates will now be allowed to sit the November/December KCSE examination series after an earlier directive limited repeat candidates to sitting the new July-series exam.

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Now, a cloud of confusion hangs over the fate of the target candidates, with no clear guidance on whether they should register for the main KCSE examination.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang yesterday said the move complies with a court order that suspended the recently launched KCSE July series.

“The court issued an injunction on Wednesday, and we have been told to respond to the case. The Attorney General and ourselves (the ministry) will be able to take the next step, but in no way will this disadvantage our learners, because as you are aware, we intended to have two series of examinations this year,” Kipsang said.

He spoke during the official opening of six Grade 9 classes at Moi Forces Academy, Nairobi.

The special examination targets candidates who missed previous KCSE exams due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness. Individuals seeking to improve their scores, including those retaking specific subjects, and candidates whose results were nullified due to malpractice, are also given a chance.

Adult learners not enrolled in regular schools but who can provide proof of primary education qualifications are also eligible. Registration began on Monday, meaning the council had only registered candidates for three days before the suspension of the test.

It is now unclear whether the examination council will register the students for the traditional November/December KCSE examination, despite PS Kipsang assuring candidates that they will not be disadvantaged.

“As you have heard, it is the July series, so it means that there is another series and no child will be disadvantaged… The only thing is that we are denying the country and our learners the opportunity to get a second chance in the fastest way possible, but we shall deal with it. It is now a case in court,” Kipsang said.

The High Court in Kisii on Wednesday suspended the registration of candidates for the newly introduced mid-year KCSE exam following a petition by Magare Gikenyi. In his petition, Dr Gikenyi claimed that there was no evidence that public participation had been undertaken.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers voiced its support for the court decision, arguing that it provided relief for candidates who were disadvantaged due to limited preparation time.

“We welcome the court decision on KCSE examination. Teachers were worried about the discrimination private candidates were facing, considering the short period for preparation. We believe when the court makes a decision, it will deliver justice,” Moses Nthurima, the Kuppet deputy secretary-general, said in a press briefing.

The directive to bar repeaters from sitting the November examination had raised discontent in various quarters.

National Parents Association chairman, Silas Obuhatsa, on Sunday faulted the plan and noted that students would not have enough time for preparation before sitting the exam.

These concerns saw Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba on Tuesday address the matter, noting that consultations are ongoing to provide an alternative for candidates seeking to retake classes before sitting the examination.

“We understand that there are candidates who would wish to sit through class for the entire year, and we are consulting on that matter to see how to accommodate them,” Ogamba said.