The Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha announced the conclusion of marking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) on Friday, allowing for the release of the national examination on Monday.
“The marking exercise for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination that commenced three weeks ago has officially ended today.
“I take this opportunity to thank the dedicated examiners and a committed team of the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission officials who worked tirelessly to ensure this exercise, which took place in 35 centers countrywide, was executed well,” said CS Magoha.
The CS spoke yesterday while he monitored the ending of the KCSE marking exercise at the Starehe Boys Centre.
CS Magoha said that his ministry is working behind the scenes to ensure that they recover time lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also implored stakeholders to be prepared to face a marathon with schools set to reopen on Monday, the 10th of May.
The CS revealed the term three school opening calendar. Learners will reopen school this Monday except those who are in Grade Four.
Grade Four learners shall reopen on the 26th of July.
“I wish to emphasize that Grade Four learners shall remain at home until July 26th, 2021 when schools will open for the first term of the 2021 Academic Calendar.
“This is necessary because the Grade Four learners were part of the first batch of learners who reopened in the first case of the phased reopening of schools following COVID-19 closure in October 2020,” said CS Magoha.
According to CS Magoha, action will be taken against any school that will not follow the directive and recalls Grade 4 learners.
“We have received reports that some private schools are planning to recall Grade Four learners together with other groups that are expected to open on Monday. Such schools must stop this plan and allow all public and private learning institutions to adhere to the stipulated calendar. Stern action will be taken against schools that shall reopen for Grade Four candidates.
“The Grade Four learners must be allowed to study at home until they join Grade 5 on July 26, 2021,” said the CS. Further, the Education CS said that the Government has disbursed Ksh. 7.5 billion to secondary schools ahead of the reopening of schools.
Besides, CS Magoha noted that the Ministry of Education has requested the National Treasury to release an additional Ksh. 13 billion for secondary schools and Ksh. 2.8 billion for primary schools.
The Ministry of Education also announced that CS Magoha shall release the 2020 KCSE on Monday, the 10th of May 2021 at the Mtihani House.