KDF Airlifts Candidates to Faza for Examinations
By Joel Mzee
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Candidates sitting for their Kenya Primary Education Assessment Examination (KPSEA) from the Boni area have been airlifted to Faza Secondary School in Lamu county to sit for their examinations.
According to Lamu County Commissioner Macharia Irungu the 28 candidates were airlifted by Kenya Defense Force (KDF) to sit for their exams in Faza because their respective schools were not registered as examination centres.
Speaking to the media during the opening of national examination paper in Amu Island Monday, the Commissioner revealed that Five of the Boni schools had been closed four years ago due to past insecurity fears stemming from Al Shabaab attacks on learning institutions.
Among the schools that were affected are Basuba, Milimani, Mararani Mangai and Kiangwe that had remained closed since 2014 following guerrilla attacks by suspected Al-Shabaab militants.
Structures of some schools were destroyed with Mangai Primary school’s roofing burnt down by arsonists.
The Commissioner noted that lifting of the candidates for National examinations is an effort towards realizing the national government’s 100 percent transition policy regardless of where the students are based.
Though, the schools reopened following deliberate actions by the national governments’ under the “Operation Amani Boni” Initiative that saw all schools within the Boni area reopened following improved security operations.
Also speaking during the exam opening, Lamu County Director of Education Joshua Kaaga expressed optimism over the improved transition rates stating that a total of 3,660 candidates with 1,879 being boys and 1,848 girls are sitting for their KCPE.
“A total of 3,873 students will be sitting for their KPSEA with 2,025 being boys and 1,848 girls,” he said.
The number of candidates is expected to increase next year following redoubled efforts by the national government through the public administration to lower school dropout rates.
