pages from aug 1st 2015_part6

BY NATION CORRESPONDENT Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi (above) has directed county directors of education to set up boards of management in all schools. Prof Kaimenyo noted that schools need the boards to effectively run their activities. “A number of schools already have the boards. Those that are yet to constitute theirs should do so,” said the CS who spoke at the Kenya Institute of Cur- riculum Development yesterday during a stakeholders’ forum on students unrest. The boards recruit secondary schools teachers and submit them to the teachers commis- sion, among other tasks. However, the Kenya Na- tional Teachers and Parents Association is opposed to the formation of the boards until it is given a major role. Prof Kaimenyi has gazetted regulations paving the way for formation of the boards. CS directs schools to form boards BY OUMA WANZALA [email protected] T he ban on mock examinations has been welcomed and con- demned in equal measure. A Moi Universi ty lecture r Okumu Bigambo said too many examinations in schools were destroying the reasoning and attitude of students. However, Kenya National Parents and Teachers Associa- tion Chairman Nathan Barasa opposed the ban. “Mock exams help students prepare effectively,” said Mr Barasa. Supporters of the ban said the mock exams were being used to gauge the candidates’ performance in the national tests at the end of the year. But the Kenya National Examinations Council said it does not use the mock examinations for grading at the end of the year. The council’s chief executive officer, Dr Joseph Kivilu, said mock exams were organised by schools to evaluate students’ preparedness for the national tests. He added that the internal tests have nothing to do with the final examinations admin- istered by the council. Prof Bigambo said too many examinations in schools were destroying the reasoning and attitude of students. “The students have class assignments, weekend tuition and mock examinations. They have no time to do other things as they only think of examinations,” he said. He said life in school should not be about examinations only, adding that students need to be trained holistically . “Examinations stress students and we have to give them a break. With this pressure, the students end up not seeing any- thing good in society,” added Prof Bigambo. KenyaUnionofPost-Primary Education Teachers Chairman Omboko Milemba said: “Many students are worried that the mock exams are a gauge for the final exams. That’s why they are under pressure to score high.” Director of Secondary and Tertiary Education Robert Masese said students in some schools mistakenly believe re- sults of mock exams are used in grading them in the national tests. Mixed reaction to ba n on m oc k e x ams EDUCATION | Some think it’s good, others disagree The Education ministry on Thursday announced the ban on mock exams in schools in a bid to contain increasing cases of student unrest. Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said schools would only be allowed to conduct internal tests, say- ing that mock exams were exerting unnecessary pressure on students. BACKGROUND Decision aimed at averting unrest The pressure caused by tests not good, while union boss say s it h elps students to prepare MURDER| Man to undergo test SULEIMAN MBATIAH| NATION Mr Bernard Kibet Rono when he appeared in the High Court in Nakuru yesterday charged with the murder of Ms Ann Cherotich at Kiptendee Village. The court ordered a mental checkup for him and that he be assigned a lawyer before he takes a plea on August 12. SATURDAY NATION Augus t 1, 2015 8 | National News

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