CS Machogu Honors Long-Serving KCPE Examiner Waswa Thomas Omuhaka and Colleagues
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu has honored three teachers, including the KCPE examiner with the most years of service, Waswa Thomas Omuhaka, for their contribution to the revision of the outgoing primary education curriculum.
The remaining two teachers are Reverend Micheni and Esther Gatonye.
Omuhaka, 62, completed the first-ever KCPE English paper in 1985, when he was 22 years old and a language teacher at Makunga Primary School.
He expressed his happiness at receiving the certificate and recognition as a chief examiner in the paper, noting that he had been marking examinations since 1985. He reflected on his journey, starting as a young man and concluding it in 2023, spanning 38 years.
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During its 39 years in existence, KCPE made tremendous advancements in enhancing performance in languages, tenses, and sentence construction, according to Omuhaka.
In the same manner, he reevaluated the successes and failures of the primary education curriculum, which has been in existence for almost forty years.
In discussing the previous 8-4-4 system, he emphasized the excellence of the initial seven subjects, where students learned practical skills such as brickwork and pottery. However, he pointed out that the shift to an academic focus brought about challenges.
Omuhaka further asserted that the Competency Curriculum (CBC) exhibits superior qualities in contrast to the 8-4-4 educational system, which he characterizes as emphasizing job hunting rather than talent recognition-driven job creation.
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He advocated for maintaining the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) as it is. Drawing a comparison, he highlighted that the 8-4-4 system was examination-oriented, primarily for job seekers, while CBC is designed to nurture job creators. He concluded by expressing the belief that everyone benefits from the CBC.
Gatonye, in her statement of appreciation for the honor, commended the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) for its diligent efforts in guaranteeing equitable access to education for students with exceptional requirements.
In a separate statement, she appreciated the opportunity to mark KCPE papers for pupils with special needs, specifically those utilizing sign language. She detailed her involvement in marking English compositions and Kiswahili inshas in both print and braille. She extended gratitude to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) for considering pupils with special needs and ensuring qualified teachers were available to facilitate their education.
Rev. Micheni, an individual who has held the responsibility of grading Kiswahili inshas, expressed congruence with his colleagues and commended KNEC for its consistent management of the examinations throughout the years.
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With their departure from the KCPE stage, Waswa and his colleagues bequeath a legacy that has had a profound impact on millions of Kenyans who were evaluated under the 39-year-old system.
CS Machogu Honors Long-Serving KCPE Examiner Waswa Thomas Omuhaka and Colleagues
