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{
    "id": 542208,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/542208/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 218,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Letimalo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 68,
        "legal_name": "Raphael Lakalei Letimalo",
        "slug": "raphael-letimalo"
    },
    "content": "examination fees is actually an indication that the Government wants to make education affordable and accessible to all. This has a lot of advantages. One, the payment of examination fees by the Government helps to minimise cases of dropouts. It is possible that a child may be able to continue with education but when it comes to sitting for examinations, they drop out because their parents failed to pay the examination fee. It is actually a disadvantage. Secondly, it has improved the transitional rate of students, specifically from primary to secondary school and ultimately to university education. So, it is actually a very big contribution. That has also helped schools to plan for examinations early enough to ensure that materials required for practical subjects, like sciences, will be available when the examination is due. The increase in the number of candidates involved in examination irregularities each year is a major concern. Now that the Government has contributed in the payment of examination fees, KNEC should formulate policies that will eradicate examination irregularities. There is nothing painful than a student spending eight good years in primary school and have their results cancelled due to cheating. The same applies to one who goes through four good years of secondary education and then end up having their examination results cancelled due to examination irregularities. Thirdly, we know that our education policy is examination-oriented to the extent that one is not able to progress to higher levels of education unless they have performed well in the examinations. It is important that these irregularities are addressed to ensure that students are not affected at the end of the education course. Another issue of concern is the withholding of academic certificates and school leaving certificates by school administrators. This is particularly because of lack of payment of examination fees. Now that the Government has taken over that responsibility, I believe this is going to be overcome. My appeal to school administrators is that schools should make provisions for release of academic certificates immediately the examination results are released, to enable students participate in the job market, like the recent police recruitment. We are aware of cases where students who sat for examinations last year have result slips but due to lack of academic certificates, they were not able to participate in that exercise. A remedy should be found to ensure that they get their academic certificates and other accessories as they leave school. Finally, with the payment of examination fee by the Government, the responsibility of providing physical facilities will rest with parents. With the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) being there---"
}