Nyamira: Nyamira County Commissioner Erastus Mbui has confirmed that there would be no armed security personnel when learners undertake their KPSEA and KJSEA education assessments. Commissioner Mbui clarified this on Monday morning while overseeing the dispatch of assessment materials for primary and junior secondary school learners.
According to Kenya News Agency, Commissioner Mbui emphasized that centre managers would be administering assessments to ascertain learners' competence in various subjects, thus negating the need for armed personnel. He explained that security personnel are typically required for examinations, but assessments are continuous exercises aimed at helping learners select pathways for senior secondary school placements based on their competence and interests.
Mbui detailed that Nyamira County will administer five categories of examinations and assessments this year, including practical projects initiated as early as January. The county registered 21,611 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates in 195 centres. Additionally, 17,209 learners were enrolled for the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) across 455 centres, and 17,786 candidates for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KIPSEA) in 510 centres. Mbui also noted the enrolment of 26 candidates for the Kenya Intermediate Level Educational Assessment (KILEA) in 11 centres, and 9 candidates for the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) in 1 centre.
Commissioner Mbui assured that the assessment exercise would be closely monitored to ensure credibility, with any challenges addressed promptly to prevent disruptions. He stressed the importance of time management for centre managers when handling examination and assessment materials, urging adherence to KNEC regulations to maintain the exercise's integrity.
The monitoring will involve a multi-agency approach, incorporating security teams, education officers, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and other stakeholders to execute the assignment with precision. Mbui encouraged all involved to conduct themselves honorably and take pride in the eventual results. He extended his best wishes to all candidates, assuring them that their hard work would be rewarded through this assessment process.