President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked parents not to pile pressure on students to pass national exams adding that such moves fuel cheating.
Speaking in Sotik on Monday the President instead urged parents to pray and encourage their children other than compel them to pass.
“Let learners get what they deserve. A child who is meant to join university will do so regardless of passing exams or not, Let us reduce pressure of our children as they are all gifted in different ways,” Uhuru said.
He said that with the government’s assurance of a 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school, parents need not to panic.
“Those who do not qualify to join universities will get slots in technical colleges,” Uhuru said.
The President said the country needs a technical labour force from those who graduate from the technical and vocational colleges. At least 1,000,759 KCPE and 664,586 KCSE candidates are expected to write their exams. Practicals kicked off on Monday.
KCPE will be administered between October 29 and November 1, while KCSE will run from November 5 to November 30.
Last week, Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed claimed that Examination cartels who have been selling fake papers to parents and teachers have been identified.
“We assure all stakeholders that the dispatch process will be free and secure from interference,” she told journalists.
“The examination papers will be escorted by armed security from collection points till the return of the scripts to KNEC containers and back.”