The national examinations timetable cannot be changed even with a new election date, Education CS Fred Matiang’i has said.
Matiang’i emphasised this on Monday but noted the electoral agency has not informed them of intention to change the poll date from October 17.
“We are proactive and always have to plan. I want to assure everyone that should the elections date change, we will [still] be ready to have exams. We are fine,” he said.
Addressing KCPE and KSCE stakeholders in Nairobi, Matiang’i said they will provide enough security for students and their schools.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed us to ensure exams are not affected in any way and provide enough security,” said the official who is also acting Interior Cabinet Secretary,
“We are putting enough security in the schools but we shall not change the time for doing exams.”
Echoing Matiang’i, KNUT secretary general Wilson Sossion said the school calendar should not be altered for any reason.
“Children come first and exams should not be politicised. Whether there are changes or not, we will support the timetable as it is,” he said.
“[The election] will not affect us…we will continue with the exams since the two events are independent. The electoral process is the business of voters and the exams are for children.”
Last week, the French firm presented its audit report and asked the electoral agency to extend the date to October 26 to allow it to upgrade the system.
