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Senators yesterday questioned a plan by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) through the Ministry of Education to have Grade Three learners sit for national examination assessment.

Led by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, the lawmakers have expressed fears that the examinations may affect government policy on 100 per cent transition.

They demanded the Education ministry through the line Senate committee to give clarity on the course of action that will be taken on pupils who might fail.

Pupils in Grade Three will be assessed in September in what is called monitoring learner achievement through national assessments under the implementation of the new 2-6-6-3 Competency-Based Curriculum, (CBC).

Cost of exam

“The the committee should state the cost of setting, printing and administering the exam and whether the cost and burden of this assessment will be done by the parents or the State,” Wetang’ula said in a statement he presented on the floor of the House yesterday.

 Senators Ochillo Ayacko (Migori) and Samuel Poghisio (West Pokot) noted  that the Grade Three exams may affect pupils rights on free and compulsory education in case huddles are experienced.

“It’s important the committee explains to the House where they have picked this kind of practice, where has it been done and implemented and how it has succeeded in those jurisdictions maybe if it’s beyond Kenya,” Ayako said.