Ruto assures of tight security as 2.2 million students gear up for national exams

President William Ruto has reassured the public that the government has put in place all necessary security measures as students gear up for their national examinations set to begin next week.

Speaking on Thursday during the Presidential Awards-Kenya (PA-K) ceremony held at State House, Ruto confirmed that both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior have finalised preparations to ensure a smooth examination process.

“As a government, we want to assure our children that there is adequate security, adequate supervision, and all the invigilators are in place,” Ruto said.

According to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), 965,501 candidates will sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at 10,565 centres, while 1,303,913 candidates will take the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) at 35,573 centres.

This totals 2,279,414 students across the country.

Ruto challenged the candidates sitting for the KPSEA and the KCSE exams to put their best foot forward, as his government is ready to mentor them after the tests.

“I know we are beginning exams for both KCSE and KPSEA next week. Let me take this occasion to wish the 965,000 of our students who will be participating in our KCSE examination and the 1.3 million of our pupils who will be participating in the KPSEA examinations my very best wishes. My message of good luck to all of them as they undertake these exams: May God’s guidance, fortitude and grace be with them and as we have agreed as a government, the Ministry of Education has concluded all the arrangements for making sure that these examinations are undertaken from next week for the next month,” Ruto said.

Candidates sitting a past national exam. This year’s Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will run from Monday, October 28, 2024, to Wednesday, October 30, 2024. (Photo: KNEC)

“They have made sure that there will be adequate security and adequate supervision—all the invigilators are in place—and now I want to ask all the students to take these exams, understanding that the prayers of their parents and all of us are on them.”

KNEC announced that the KPSEA rehearsals will commence on Friday, October 25, 2024, followed by the main examination, which will run from Monday, October 28, 2024, to Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

During the same event, 1,517 young people, aged between 14 and 24 years, were honoured for receiving the prestigious PA-K gold award. The group represented a larger cohort of 2,397 individuals nationwide who were recognised for their achievements.

The PA-K initiative, which was established in Kenya in 1966, recognises the accomplishments of young people outside academic environments by encouraging them to engage in various life-enhancing activities.

The programme is part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, which operates in over 140 countries.

Founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness (HRH), The Duke of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Kurt Hahn and Sir John Hunt, the award aims to empower youth by encouraging them to acquire universal skills through activities such as physical fitness, volunteering, and outdoor adventures.

President Ruto also called upon the Ministry of Youth Affairs to support the programme’s board and management, emphasising the need to reach more young people.

He said this would help develop their character and skills, ultimately enabling them to progress and succeed in life.