Ministry of Education Prohibits Mock and Joint Exams in All Schools
Ministry of Education Prohibits Mock and Joint Exams in All Schools. The Ministry of Education has banned all joint and mock tests in all schools.
The ministry was very explicit about how it planned to handle the increasing number of disruptions in schools.
The statement states that “the purpose of this circular is to ask you to bring to the attention of all schools within your jurisdiction and take corrective measures to stop any occurrence.”
The principal secretary, Belio Kipsang, also instructed all schools to forgo having interschool exams because they would interfere with the academic calendar.
The decision, according to Kipsang, was made following a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Education and the Special Investigation Team, both of which are headed by David Koech and Claire Omollo, respectively.
The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) had previously opposed jointly conducted practice exams.
The association also suggested that the government take more steps to keep the educational system in order.
The ministry had previously suggested substituting Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) for mock exams, contending that schools have made a profit from the practice.
According to the ministry, stress in classrooms was rising as a result of disruptions at school, particularly at boarding schools. These strikes were sparked by the struggles students were having and their demands for improved conditions.
Teachers at various schools alleged that transfer students who broke the strike were harming their schools.
According to the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), student strikes in 2021 were sparked by the Ministry of Education’s announcement of shorter half-term breaks.
According to Omboko Milemba, the union’s leader, midterm holidays are essential for children to reduce stress and give their parents a time to counsel them before returning to school.