Education PS Bitok orders suspension of second-term exams to curb student unrest

Education PS Bitok orders suspension of second-term exams to curb student unrest
Education PS Bitok orders suspension of second-term exams to curb student unrest - Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok appearing before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education to deliberate on the Supplementary Estimates for the 2025/26 financial year on March 17, 2026. (Photo: Parliament/Facebook)
Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok appearing before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education to deliberate on the Supplementary Estimates for the 2025/26 financial year on March 17, 2026. (Photo: Parliament/Facebook)

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Bitok emphasised that learners should not be subjected to examinations when they are not adequately prepared, arguing that such pressure could worsen anxiety and contribute to disruptions in schools.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has directed school principals to suspend second-term examinations that could create tension, anger, or disappointment among students, warning that such practices may trigger unrest in learning institutions.
Speaking on Thursday, Bitok said the Ministry of Education is taking deliberate steps to safeguard learners and maintain stability in schools amid rising cases of student unrest nationwide. He noted that the second term has, in recent years, become a sensitive period that requires heightened attention from school administrators.
“We are working very hard to ensure that there are no examinations that are going to bring tension in our schools. We have asked all our principals to stop any examinations in this term that are going to create anger, and that is going to disappoint or disenfranchise any student,” he said.

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Bitok emphasised that learners should not be subjected to examinations when they are not adequately prepared, arguing that such pressure could worsen anxiety and contribute to disruptions in schools.
“Why do we want to force these learners to sit for examinations if they are not ready? They should not,” he said, adding that the directive is intended to reduce tension and promote a more supportive learning environment.
He further urged school principals and teachers to work closely with field officers and adopt dialogue-based approaches in addressing emerging challenges, rather than relying on rigid academic measures that could escalate unrest.

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In addition to the examination directive, the PS announced a nationwide inspection of boarding facilities to be carried out within the next 10 days. He said the exercise will assess the condition of boarding schools and help strengthen safety and welfare standards for learners.
The directive comes at a time when several schools have experienced unrest, including cases of arson and destruction of property, raising concerns over student safety and continuity of learning.

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