In a recent development, two concerned parents, Pius Kiio and Everlyn Kemuma Omwoyo, have taken legal action, filing documents in court that allege irregularities in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam results.
The parents, who hail from Kitengela International School and Set Greenhill Academy Mixed Day and Boarding and Junior School, assert that the released KCPE results lack fairness and credibility, particularly highlighting the implausibility of students within the same school achieving identical scores.
These parents are seeking a thorough investigation into the activities of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), claiming that the KNEC offices are potential crime scenes. Their court filings further request the issuance of temporary orders to suspend the Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu’s declaration of the Form One placement exercise, originally slated to commence on November 27, 2023.
Represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, Kiio and Kemuma express their dissatisfaction with the marking of their children’s exam papers and detail their attempts to address the matter through formal channels. Omari contends that the alleged massive errors in the released KCPE results not only jeopardize the educational prospects of Kenyan children but also violate their constitutional right to education.
The legal representative argues that the actions of KNEC and the Education Cabinet Secretary contravene the rule of law and fail to uphold the values of an open and democratic society. He emphasizes the discriminatory impact of releasing results that do not accurately reflect students’ abilities, leading to diminished self-esteem and mental anguish.
Omari invokes Article 35, placing an obligation on the State to publish and publicize crucial national information, asserting that KCPE results fall within this category. He argues that the failure to meticulously check for errors before releasing such important results goes against candidates’ legitimate expectations.
The parents contend that the erroneous results could cost students, including their own children, opportunities in their preferred schools. They seek the court’s intervention to protect the students’ mental well-being by directing a timely review of the KCPE results, considering the reported irregularities.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the gravity of the situation becomes increasingly evident, raising concerns about the integrity of the national examination system. The parents, Pius Kiio and Everlyn Kemuma Omwoyo, maintain their stance on the need for a thorough investigation into the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), emphasizing that the alleged irregularities in the KCPE results could have far-reaching consequences for students’ futures.
Lawyer Danstan Omari, representing the parents, has underscored the broader implications of releasing exam results fraught with errors, contending that it not only undermines the constitutional right to education but also places an undue burden on the students. The discriminatory nature of these purported errors, particularly within the context of Set Greenhill Academy Mixed Day and Boarding and Junior School, is emphasized, with Omari expressing concern about the potential disenfranchisement of the affected students.
The legal argument rests on the assertion that KNEC, as a state institution, has a responsibility to provide examination services of the highest quality. Omari contends that the council’s actions, as alleged in the court documents, not only fail to meet this standard but also infringe upon the principles of an open and democratic society.
The parents’ plea for the court’s intervention seeks to protect not only the academic pursuits of the students but also their psychological well-being. Omari highlights the potential psychological impact of erroneous results on students’ self-esteem and their aspirations to attend schools of their choice.
In the coming days, the court is expected to carefully consider the evidence and arguments presented by both parties. The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly have broader implications for the education system and the accountability of examination bodies. As the nation awaits the court’s decision, the case serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that accuracy and fairness play in the administration of national examinations.
