Ministry to replace Braille machines with Orbit Readers for visually impaired students
Ogamba emphasised that this initiative is in line with global advancements in assessment practices, ensuring that Kenya's examination system remains competitive and accessible to all students.
The Ministry of Education is set to integrate Orbit Readers in place of Braille machines for the administration of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam to students with visual impairments.
This announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during the release of the 2024 KCSE results, emphasising the Ministry's commitment to aligning Kenya's examination processes with global best practices.
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"As part of aligning our examination processes with best global assessment practices, the Ministry is working on integrating the use of Orbit Readers, and phase out Braille machines, in the administration of the KCSE examination to candidates with visual impairments," said the CS.
Orbit Readers, digital devices that assist visually impaired individuals by providing both Braille and text-to-speech outputs, will replace the traditional Braille machines currently used in the KCSE exams.
The integration of these advanced tools is part of an ongoing effort to modernise the education system and ensure that all students, regardless of their disabilities, have equal access to opportunities for success in national exams.
Ogamba emphasised that this initiative is in line with global advancements in assessment practices, ensuring that Kenya's examination system remains competitive and accessible to all students.
The decision to phase out Braille machines and adopt Orbit Readers is seen as a progressive step toward enhancing the learning and examination experience for students with visual disabilities.
The orbit readers will allow for a smoother, more efficient examination process, as they offer real-time text-to-speech features and more precise Braille output, improving the overall accuracy and delivery of the exams.
The integration of Orbit Readers will also make the examination process more streamlined, allowing for faster and more accurate results for candidates with visual impairments.
The Ministry of Education's push for inclusivity reflects its ongoing commitment to ensuring that every student in Kenya, regardless of their physical challenges, has an equal chance to succeed academically.
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