Thika MP Patrick Wainaina has provided eggs to over 3,600 KCPE candidates from his constituency ahead of the National Examinations set to commence on the 30th of October.
The MP says that his decision to provide eggs for the candidates is in a bid to boost their morale and concentration during the examinations period.
Speaking at the Thika CDF offices on Friday, Mr Wainaina said he was concerned by a history of poor results posted by exam candidates in the area.
“We hope to reverse the poor grades through these small efforts meant to encourage learners,” he said, promising to reward all top three performers from Standard One to Eight in every school.
He said his “Egg Monday” programme, which was rolled out in May this year, has helped to “boost class attendance and raise enrollment in public schools”.
Under the egg programme, pupils from public schools in Thika always receive an egg every Monday.
“In fact, some learners from private schools, particularly in the Kiandutu slum, have moved to the public ones as a result of the egg-feeding programme,” said Mr Wainaina.
Thika Sub-County Director of Education, Ronald Mbogo, and Kiambu County Primary School Heads Association chairperson, James Macharia, hailed the MP for the gesture, saying: “We are looking forward to seeing better results posted by the candidates”.
The Ministry of education and the Kenya National Examinations body KNEC have rolled out plans and various ways to curb exam cheating this year.
The exam body has directed principals to keep exam papers and materials in classrooms where candidates can see them in a new move to curb cheating. The body added that exam materials should be taken directly to the classrooms under the watchful eye of the Kenya police.
Principals were previously allowed to keep the papers in a safe location within their schools. Students will sit two exam papers in a day. The new directive requires both papers taken to the classroom.
“Ensure the materials for the second exam remain on the same table in full view of the candidates while the exam for the first session is in progress,” the Knec circular reads.
Knec has also directed that soon after the exams are completed, papers are to be returned to the container storage facilities immediately.
“Soon after the exams are completed, we expect the papers to be returned to the containers within the shortest time possible,” said Knec chairman George Magoha.
If there’s any delay in doing so, the center manager and supervisor will be required to give an explanation”.
Yesterday, KNEC okayed the use of mobile phones within the school premises by head teachers but barred them from using them in the examination rooms. Invigilators and Supervisors have however been banned from using the mobile gadgets within the examination centers.