Kenya urged to prepare national exams for El Niño floods
In Kenya, columnist Yabesh Onwonga called for the national examination system to be prepared in advance for possible flooding as the El Niño rains approach. In his assessment, flooding could make roads to examination centres impassable, inundate classrooms, destroy learning materials, displace families and disrupt students’ preparation.
In a Nation Kenya column, the author noted that the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) and education officials should immediately assess the readiness of examination centres in flood-prone counties. In his view, at-risk centres should be identified in advance, while alternative examination venues should be mapped, checked and approved before an emergency begins.
Backup centres and routes
Onwonga believes that contingency scenarios are needed for every vulnerable centre. If roads or bridges regularly become impassable after heavy rains, this should be taken into account before examination materials are moved. He also proposed arranging transport in advance, testing communication channels and informing staff where to direct candidates if the main centre is inaccessible.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The author recommended that county authorities publish flood-risk maps for schools, clear drainage near vulnerable institutions, identify emergency transport routes and prepare evacuation and communication plans. Where bridges may become impassable, temporary alternatives should be prepared before the peak of the rains, in his opinion.
Learning materials and information
The column also addresses the need for reserve stocks of learning materials and temporary premises for classes in areas repeatedly affected by flooding. Onwonga stressed that digital learning cannot be the only solution in communities with limited access to electricity, smartphones, mobile internet and stable connectivity. Among the alternatives, he named printed materials, radio and community learning centres.
Separately, the author called on Knec and education officials to establish reliable communication with parents and candidates about changes to examination centres, transport arrangements and procedures in emergencies.
