Sunday, June 06, 2026 - Education Principal Secretary, Julius Bitok, has urged schools across the country to consider postponing mock examinations if students are not adequately prepared, warning that the tests have become a major source of tension and unrest in learning institutions.
Speaking during an education stakeholders' meeting on June 6th,
Bitok said school boards of management and administrators should prioritize
dialogue with learners instead of forcing them to sit examinations that could
trigger protests and unrest.
“We have asked the boards of management and the school
management to reconsider, even postponing the mock exams temporarily, to ensure
that students do not riot,” said the PS.
Bitok attributed the recent wave of unrest in secondary
schools largely to examination pressure and abrupt changes in examination
schedules.
He noted that imposing high-stakes assessments on unprepared
students was proving counterproductive and called for greater engagement
between school administrations and learners.
“Let us have a conversation with the students. If they are
not ready for a mock exam, you should be able to engage them,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing concern over student unrest
reported in dozens of schools countrywide.
Examination-related grievances have been cited among the
factors behind several incidents, including the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls
High School that claimed the lives of 16 students and left many others injured.
According to the Ministry of Education data, about 80
secondary schools have experienced unrest over the past three weeks, including
arson attacks and student walkouts that have disrupted learning.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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