The debate surrounding the governments apparent “militarization” of the ongoing National Examinations is one that seem not to be ending anytime soon. After the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers lashed out at the government over the same, Education CS Amina Mohammed has today come out to clarify on the issue while in turn supporting the government’s latest efforts in ensuring they deliver clean exam results.
According to Amina, she does not see any Militarization of the examination process as other people put it. The CS even claims that Kenyans have been supportive in the Education ministry’s approach in securing examinations. The CS said that she is happy of the progress made so far with regards to the ongoing examinations.
“I do not see any militarization of the process; we are just using the resources that have always been there. I believe Kenyans are supportive because they are seeing a change. This is what is going to be the norm and we are happy with the progress,” said Amina.
The government has this year increased the number of security personnel while at times also using government officials to distribute examination materials and monitor the whole process.
KUPPET, led by national chairperson Omboko Milemba, say that the presence of top government officials and politicians is not meant to curb cheating as the government put’s it. The union say’s that all these are meant to intimidate candidates.
Mr. Milemba has also urged the government to leave monitoring of examinations to teachers.
“Exams should not be militarized, politicized, and over-hyped. There is no need of politicians who don’t understand issues of exams and education moving to classes that they’re flagging off exams,” said the KUPPET boss.
“Exam is not a safari rally that you flag off, an exam is a professional activity which requires professionals to deal with, and that is the teachers. You even don’t know how to stand infront of children when exams are about to begin, your posture alone is a threat to passing of exams.” added the seemingly infuriated KUPPET boss.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i last week allayed fears among Kenyans concerned about the ‘heavy militarisation of national examinations’.
He said the security personnel are doing a wonderful job in securing the tests and are in no way intimidating candidates writing the same.
“It sounds nonsensical. These are some of the silly things some petty people engage in as a country and we waste time on such stupid things, We are providing support to our children to do exams.” said Matiang’i
Do you Support the apparent continued “Militarization” of Exams?