Matiang’i cancels Siaya’s mock exams that bear Governor’s portrait
Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Wednesday cancelled Siaya’s mock examinations that is being sponsored by the county government.
Mr Matiang’i has also summoned the County Director of Education and dissolved the County Education Board.
The examinations, printed at a cost of Sh1.7 million, stirred public anger for bearing a conspicuous portrait of Governor Cornell Rasanga on the top right side of the cover paper.
Siaya County Mock exam papers have the Governor's photo – Cornel Rasanga. Welcome to Kenya ! pic.twitter.com/JU784KRQMk
— Kim MUSAU™ (@KimMUSAU) October 11, 2016
County Executive in charge of education Mrs Pamela Okello had on Tuesday said that the display of the governor’s portrait is aimed at ensuring that pupils know their governor and have a close relationship with him.
In a press release sent to media houses on Wednesday, Mr Matiang’i said the mock exams flout the country’s education policy.
Here is the abridged version of the Secretary’s statement:
The Ministry of Education has established that Standard Eight candidates in Siaya County are currently sitting mock examinations contrary to national government policies on education. It has also been noted that the question papers for the mock tests bear the portrait of the county’s governor.
The Ministry takes great exception to the violation of set guidelines on assessments of learners in Siaya County. Consequently, the Ministry has resolved to take action, including interdictions, against area County Director of Education and six Sub-County Directors of Education who bear the greatest responsibility for the gross violation of set guidelines.
Additionally, in line with the Basic Education Act 2012, the Ministry has taken the decision to dissolve and reconstitute the Siaya County Education Board and asked relevant agencies to nominate new members with immediate effect.
The said mock examinations have been cancelled forthwith and schools advised to prepare internally for the examinations.
Going forward, the Ministry wishes to warn stakeholders in the education sector that firm action will be taken against officials who fail to enforce existing policies and guidelines governing education in the country.
