The Ministry of Education has barred journalists from accessing exam centers and schools for the coverage of the commencement of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations.
On Monday, March 22, Siaya Director of Education Nelson Sifuna said that they had received communication from the Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof. George Magoha, to bar media professionals from accessing schools.
Sifuna said that the Education CS informed them that the decision is aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus even though Prof. Magoha also cautioned them against divulging any information to the media related to the ongoing examinations.
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"The text message was shown to Siaya media who had arrived at the exam center within the offices of the county commissioner.
"Kindly don't take any photos or video clips. We were warned by our boss Prof Magoha through this text message," said Sifuna.
Many headteachers, police officers and some invigilators had arrived at exam centers with vehicles as early as 4am to pick papers for their schools.
On Sunday, hundreds of police officers, invigilators and supervisors met with the Siaya County Education leadership and deliberated for close to 30 minutes on how this year's examination would be conducted.
Mr Sifuna had cautioned those tasked with invigilating the exams to ensure pupils do not cheat.
I want you to take exams this year's seriously. There are elaborate measures put in place by the ministry," he added.
"we expect school administrators to have an inventory of those involved in the exams supervision and ensure they are subjected to all infection prevention protocols,” Sifuna said while briefing headteachers at the county commissioner's office.
The KCPE exams kicked off on Monday for the 1,191,725 candidates in 28,467 examination centres countrywide.
The exams will end on Wednesday, March 24.
