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{
    "id": 325795,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/325795/?format=api",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the amendment that is being proposed by hon. Musila is very timely. It is important that in this era we go with technology in terms of registration of students for examinations. Time and again, it has been suggested in this House that we standardize our registration process by giving Kenyans a single identity at birth, which they need to carry throughout their lives. With our elections coming, we have gone the biometric way. I want to propose that equally for the registration of examinations, let us try some biometric identification system so that when a child, pupil or student sits for the exams, the certificate that comes out is unique to him or her. We have seen situations where children lose their certificates in fires or when they are mugged and it becomes a nightmare getting another certificate. I think this is an opportunity for us to now ensure that there is a mechanism of ensuring that a graduate of any level can have his certificate replaced without the risk of the certificate being fraudulently obtained. Since I can see the Minister nodding, I believe that he will make the necessary amendments that will ensure that lost certificates are replaced with ease and without compromising the certificates outflow. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Minister should also ensure that there is harmony between the lower and higher level of education. You will realize that Kenya has taken its education system very seriously and our graduates are a pride of this country. However, there are other people who leave this country to go and fetch education outside. In this House we have repeatedly passed legislation that says “a degree from a recognized university.” You will find that different countries have different levels of recognizing degrees. This is the case and yet when these people come back to this country, they compete with our children who have their hard-earned certificates. The competition is normally at par. I urge the Minister to look into that area so that there is standardization in terms of the people who have the same content that is examinable and the people who have less content. You will realize that when this House passed a Bill in this House recently that made it mandatory for Members of Parliament to have a degree, there was this question by some hon. Members although I believe it was in jest that: Is it possible for the universities to give degrees in advance, so that people can read for them in a higher purchase fashion? You will realize how people want certificates for the sake of it and not as a proof of the content of which you are. It is important that this law becomes ruthless with the people who play around with examinations, particularly those who try to steal the examinations as it were. The law must be very ruthless with these people. I have seen situations where we have instituted investigations into who caused the stealing of examinations and everybody keeps on looking behind and we end up catching nobody. So, the law must be very ruthless with the handlers of these examinations. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, last but not least, it is important that we enhance our examination so that we remain competitive worldwide. With those few remarks, I support this Bill."
}