Magoha dispelled fears that the national exams, scheduled for March 2021, will be rescheduled.
While speaking at Kabarak University’s 17th graduation ceremony, Magoha noted that postponing the exams would not solve the rising cases of students’ unrest in schools.
“The examinations are ready. Candidates should not panic. Let them be calm and prepare for the tests, which have taken into consideration challenges occasioned by disruptions to the academic calendar,” the CS stated.
He added that President Uhuru Kenyatta urged all students and graduates at Kabarak to adhere to the law refrain from vandalism, arson and other vices that may dent their future.
“The country has experienced insecurity and other social challenges. I call upon those graduating today and the entire student fraternity to desist from engaging in retrogressive practices,” an excerpt of Uhuru’s speech, read by Mating’i read.
Magoha and his Interior CS counterpart, Fred Matiang’i, had earlier on called for the reintroduction of caning in schools to curb the unrest.
“We must discipline our children. So our work is to build schools as they destroy down? It’s tough love, our children must understand that parents sacrifice a lot for them,” Matiang’i noted.
With the increase in cases of students’ unrest in schools, the headteachers argued that they were ill-prepared and needed more time to prepare for the exams.
“When we brought on board Form Four students last year, other students stayed at home for long. During that period, they were not properly engaged, and some ventured into businesses while others became mischievous,” Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) chairperson Kahi Indimuli stated.
“While at home, they had a lot of free time. Once they came back to school, they realized that they were not prepared for the examinations,” he added.
Among schools that witnessed unrest were Buruburu Girls High School and Ofafa Jericho in Nairobi, Kanjuri High School and Karima Boys High School in Nyeri.
Sigalame High School and Namboboto secondary school in Busia, Vihiga Boys Secondary School and Chavakali High School in Vihiga and Kakamega High School I’m Kakamega County.
Parents shouldered the burden as they were forced to pay for repairs and construction of classrooms and dormitories that were either vandalized or burned down.
