The pass mark for pupils from Tana Delta will not be lowered, Kenya National Examinations Council chief executive officer Paul Wasanga has said. He said the candidates will need to score the required marks to join high school.

"We are not going to reduce the marks for candidates sitting for exams in the Tana Delta. We want exam standards to remain as set. We will not reduce the required marks for anyone or any area," he said.

He urged candidates to work hard and to shun cheating in exams. Wasanga said all candidates are can score the required marks if they work hard.

"If all students work hard, the region is going to improve. I am urging all pupils and teachers to shun exam cheating," he said. Speaking in Malindi yesterday the Knec boss said he is satisfied with the security in the Coast region.

"Security has been beefed up in this region. I am happy and optimistic that we are not going to have exam disruption," he said. Earlier, parents from Tana Delta had proposed that the student from the area be admitted with lower grades to secondary schools. They want the government to intervene.