8 November 2009
Nairobi — About 800 families have asked the government to beef up security to allow Standard Eight exams to take place in North Rift. At least 1,700 candidates are expected to sit the tests in Mukutani Division of Baringo that has been hit by insecurity.
More than 30 teachers have fled the division since the beginning of the year due to persistent cattle raids. The families were among the displaced people at Ilchamus, Marigat Town.
Under control
Mukutani ward councillor Stephen Olelokwaro said over 400 children were now at home after their classes at Mukutani, Ruggus and Noosukro primary schools were vandalised by raiders.
But Marigat district commissioner Geoffrey Taragon said he was liaising with his East Pokot counterpart to ensure cross border checks throughout the exam period.
District Education Officer Didacuf Odhiambo was however optimistic that the tests would not be affected in all the 65 examination centres with over 1,762 candidates.
In neighbouring Baringo Central District, hunger will be a major threat during the examination period. Over 117 primary schools with a population of over 115,000 are on the verge of closure after being left out of the school feeding programme. Only 23,000 children from 88 schools have received funds for the programme in the area.
District education officer Eliud Wanaswa assured parents that no child will fail to sit for his examination due to hunger. Over 4,000 candidates will sit for their in the area in 118 examination centres.
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