KCSE candidates count missed lessons because teachers do not come to class

Candidates sitting for this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination now have just eight weeks left before they sit for the exam, due to the ongoing teachers’ strike, which has largely led to paralysis.

As the strike enters its second week tomorrow, stakeholders in the education sector argue that every day of strike will cost the candidates a lot of money.

Candidates’ preparations for the exams are now at stake as the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers has announced that its members will continue their strike this week.

An analysis by The Sunday Standard it turned out that students lost 36 classes in the first week of the strike alone.

Assuming there are nine 40-minute lessons each day, this equates to a loss of 1,800 minutes of lesson time.

The situation is further exacerbated by the prolonged closure of schools due to flooding in April, which has resulted in three weeks of education being lost this year.

The strike also raises questions about the potential impact on students’ academic performance.

With only eight weeks to go until the final test, the loss of teaching time is raising concerns about learning differences.

A pressing concern is the possibility of revising the KCSE examination timetable to compensate for lost learning time.

This may mean that the exam start date is brought forward to allow more time to complete the syllabus.

Some teachers argue that adjusting the exam schedule gives students enough time to review the material.

Silas Obuhatsa, president of the National Parents Association, said such a measure in the event of a prolonged closure would ensure that all students have a fair chance to sit their final exams.

However, Obuhastsa called for a swift end to the strike so that education and training could resume.

“We have already had one week of the opening week, so if schools start again this week, they can make up for lost time in the remaining eight weeks,” Obuhatsa said.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman Willy Kuria said the lost time can still be made up within the third semester and without having to extend the closing dates. “Just like with the floods, schools were able to make up the lost time within the second semester and without having to extend the school dates, we can do the same with the current lost time,” Kuria said.

However, Kuria warns that prolonged disruptions could jeopardize the candidate’s preparations.

“This week is a decisive moment and crucial for the continuation of normality in schools.

“If the strike lasts the whole week, we will have to find ways to make up for lost time,” Kuria said.

Kuria indicated that when classes resume, they want to make up for lost time by adjusting the class schedule so that more classes are possible.

“We have to make up for lost time,” he said.

This comes as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) plans to take strict action against the striking teachers.

TSC on Thursday ordered its employees to collect school attendance data so they can take disciplinary action against striking teachers.

Kuppet announced on Friday that it plans to continue the strike this week, while union officials announced they are going to court to seek advice on the ruling that suspended the strike.

TSC said Thursday that no meeting will be held with Kuppet officials until the union calls off the strike.