This Year’s KCPE examinations might have completely come to an end today but what is clearly evident is the fact that teenage pregnancies were reported more than the cases of cheating or attempted cheating.
Statistics around the country show that over 20 babies were delivered while over 100 pregnancies were reported during this examinations period.
The affected candidates, aged between 14 and 17, perhaps found themselves yielding to exam-related tension and gave birth to their bundles of joy.
Education CS Amina Mohammed was shocked by the revelations made this year and decided to act with speed to curb this menace once and for all.
The CS on Thursday ordered the quality assurance team in the Education ministry to investigate and file a report of all cases of pregnancies among school girls.
The CS noted that the move will enable the ministry to outline measures to curb such cases.
“In the last three days, we have received a report of nine girls who have given birth during the exam period. We are yet to get a final report,” said Ms Mohamed.
The minister urged parents to instill good discipline in their children through guidance and counseling to ensure such incidents are prevented.
“It is the responsibility of parents to talk to their children and ensure that they do not engage in sexual relations at a tender age,” she said.
Kilifi county lead’s in teenage pregnancies with the county having more than 100 expectant girls sitting the exam.
Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu described the situation as a disaster that must be urgently addressed to secure the future of the girl child. She said of the 100 girls, 26, were from Kibarani ward, 15 from Konjora and 10 in a single school, who had to sit their exams in labour wards.
In Kaloleni constituency, the area Deputy County Commission Paul Rotich said about 20 girls from various learning institutions, including national schools are pregnant.
In Magarini constituency, about 20 girls from different schools were also reported to be pregnant while Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga said 18 girls from five primary schools were pregnant.
The teenage pregnancies have been reported even as Interior CS Fred Matiang’i ordered Chiefs to compile lists of all Kenya Certificate of Primary Education candidates before results are announced by the Ministry of Education to facilitate 100 percent transition to Form One next year.
Matiang’i believes the lists will help the government monitor individual candidates and facilitate their transition to secondary schools.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has already allayed fears that some candidates might end up missing form one slots. The head of state assured all candidates that his government will work round the clock to ensure they all get admissions to form one.
In a move aimed at achieving the President’s promise, the local administrators have been asked to work with head teachers to compile the lists.
“This will allow 100 per cent transition of the candidates. We are going to hold the chiefs and their assistants responsible if those children will not be located and given Form One slots. We have to ensure all the children get secondary education,” said Dr Matiang’i.