A group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the North Rift region has called for the suspension of the upcoming national examinations for the candidates from Kerio Valley.
Led by the Centre for Human Rights and Mediation (CHRD), the CSOs say the current situation in the volatile region is not favorable for the students to sit for the exams.
Standard eight students are scheduled to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) starting next week.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations are also set to start within the next few days.
But according to CHRM director Nick Omito, it will be unfair for Kerio Valley students to sit for the same exams as candidates from peaceful environments.
“We are calling upon the government to suspend exams in that region because the situation as concerned students is dire. You can’t expect students sitting for exams with all the physiological torture from that region to go compete with a student in Nairobi enjoying a peaceful environment and ready for exams,” Omito said.
The human rights activist notes that the best way to handle the situation is to allow the government to address the insecurity challenge, and once peace is restored, the candidates can sit for special examinations.
“Education is a right. You can’t sit for exams in such kind of environment – when mentally tortured and distressed,” he said.
Omito says the government should be concerned with the situation of students.
“It’s not hard to prepare special exams for children, the government has done it not once, not twice. Those are children who need such consideration at this point and time,” he insisted.
Following increased attacks in Kerio Valley, a number of schools have been shut down.
The Ministry of Education recently said they will ensure security for all learners sitting for the national exams, especially those from areas affected with insecurity.
