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| [KUPPET] demonstrate a long Moi Avenue in Mombasa |
Candidates sitting this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations now have only eight weeks left before they sit the test amid the paralysis occasioned by the ongoing teachers’ strike.
If the strike enters second week on tomorrow, education sector stakeholders argue that each day of strike will be costly to the candidates.
Preparations of candidates for the examinations is now at stake as Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers said its members will continue with their industrial action this week.
An analysis by The Sunday Standard revealed that students have already lost up to 36 lessons in the first week of the strike alone.
Given that there are nine lessons each day, lasting 40 minutes each, this equates to a loss of 1,800 minutes of class time.
The situation is further exacerbated by the extended school closure due to floods in April, which now makes three weeks of learning lost this year.
The industrial action has also sparked questions about the potential impact on students’ academic performance.
With just eight weeks to go before the final test, the loss of teaching time is raising concerns about learning disparities.
One pressing concern is the possibility of revising the KCSE examinations timetable to accommodate the lost learning time.
This could involve pushing forward the exam start date allowing for more time for syllabus completion.
Some educators argue that revising the exam schedule could will allow students adequate time for revision.
Silas Obuhatsa, the National Parents Association chairman said such a measure in case of prolonged closure would ensure that all students have a fair opportunity when sitting their final examination.
However, Obuhastsa called on a speedy end of the strike to allow for resumption of teaching and learning.
“We have one week gone already which was the opening week so if the schools resume this week they will manage to recover any time lost within the remaining eight weeks,” Obuhatsa said.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Chairman Willy Kuria said the time lost is still recoverable within third term and without need to extend the closing dates. “Similar to the floods situation, schools were able to recover the time lost within second term and without need to extend the school dates, we can also do the same with the current lost time,” Kuria said.
Kuria however warns that prolonged disruption could frustrate the candidate’s preparedness.
“This week is a defining moment and critical for normalcy to continue in schools.
‘‘If the strike extends through the week, then we will have to explore ways to recover the time lost,” Kuria said.
Upon resumption of classes, Kuria said part of their plans will be to recover the lost time by adjusting academic timetable to accommodate more lessons.
“We have to make up for the time we have lost” he said.
This comes as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) plans to crack the whip on the striking teachers.
TSC on Thursday directed its officers to collect school attendance data so as to take disciplinary action against teachers on strike.
Kuppet on Friday announced plans to continue with the strike this week even as the union officials announced that they will be moving to court to seek advisory on the ruling suspending the industrial action.
On Thursday, TSC said it will not meet with the Kuppet officials until the union calls off the strike.