Matiang’i under fire for ‘banning’ prayers for KCSE, KCPE candidates
Education secretary Fred Matiang’i has come under fire for banning prayer days for candidates sitting national examinations from being held in the third term.
Dr Matiang’i said the prayers are used as avenues for exchanging materials which later aid cheating in the KCPE and KCSE exams.
“There will be no prayer sessions for candidates as has been the case in previous years when parents and outsiders visited schools during the third term,” said Dr Matiang’i.
“Activities such as annual general meetings will be conducted in the first and second terms of the schools calendar year. Prize giving, thanksgiving and prayer days for candidates will be done in the second term,” he said.
He said the aim is to end unnecessary contacts between candidates and outsiders during the exam period.
However, any prayer arrangements involving school chaplains and teachers will not be affected.
Matiang’i’ decision has, however, not gone down well with some Kenyans, majority who got the impression that he had banned praying for candidates altogether.
https://twitter.com/MikeRONO/status/732893948809760768
Matiangi Is A Risen Version Of Adolf Hitler, He's A Champion Till He's Now Competing With God #KCPE
— ManOfGod!! (@ItsKayQueLive) May 18, 2016
I believe matiangi is over thinking. No one can stop us from praying to our candidates. #KCPE thie ukiumaga
— Kennedy W Nyoro (@kwnyoro) May 18, 2016
Others felt that the decision was half-baked.
No prayers day and visiting for #KCPE candidates?! What will happen to the day scholars in 3rd term? Watakuwa wanalala kwa police cells?
— David Macharia (@Dayvd_M) May 18, 2016
The CS, however, later clarified, but a little too late.
We only moved prayers and prayer rallies to Second term to enable more focus on preps for exams in 3rd term.
— Dr. Fred Matiangi (@FredMatiangi) May 18, 2016
