Senator Crystal Asige demands clarity on KCPE discrepancies

 

Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has joined the ranks of legislators expressing concern over the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results released by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec).

In a statement before the Senate on Wednesday, November 29, Senator Asige called on the Senate Standing Committee on Education to present a detailed report addressing the widespread discrepancies in the recently released results.

Senator Asige urged the committee to provide comprehensive data on instances of erroneous marking and grading, emphasising the need to investigate cases where incorrect marks were awarded, wrong subjects were graded, and questionable results were published.

Furthermore, the Senator sought information on whether Knec has taken any action on the raised concerns regarding the results.

She specifically requested an explanation for the discrepancies in marks received by candidates on the Knec portal and through the SMS provider. The senator urged the committee to detail the gaps that caused the errors and how they have been addressed.

Senator Asige emphasised the importance of receiving the committee’s statement before the selection of form one students to prevent any disadvantages to affected students.

In addition, the Senator urged the committee to outline the measures implemented by the examination council to assist vulnerable learners, especially those from marginalised areas who may lack resources to raise their complaints.

These concerns arise amidst complaints from schools and parents who feel that the council did not rightfully award their students marks.

Currently, two parents have moved to court seeking investigations into the irregularities in the KCPE results.

In a separate case filed at Milimani Law Courts, Moses Mbego, a parent whose child sat for KCPE at Moi Primary School, has sued the examinations council and Education Cabinet Secretary Mr Ezekiel Machogu after his son scored a minimal grade.

BY Kevin Cheruiyot