One hundred seventy-one schools in Kiharu Constituency have received rice donations to provide lunch for candidates sitting national examinations, easing the financial burden on parents during the tests period.
Philanthropist Karanja Mburu Wamatangi donated the grain through his foundation to the examination centres that include primary and secondary schools.
Wamatangi said the initiative was meant to ensure candidates remain focused on their examinations without being bothered by hunger pangs, while relieving parents of the added cost of providing meals daily throughout the examination period.
He noted that some families were struggling to meet the cost of lunch for their children during the examination period, adding that the rice had been distributed according to the number of candidates registered in each school.
“We have donated rice to all schools in this constituency to ensure candidates have lunch during the period they sit their national examinations,” he said on Monday while overseeing the distribution exercise in the Ndikwe area.
Wamatangi said his foundation had sustained the initiative for the past 10 years, demonstrating its commitment to supporting learners and enhancing their examination experience.
Some senior schools have already commenced the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, while the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) are scheduled to begin on October 26.
Wamatangi called on examination centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and security officers to remain vigilant and ensure the examinations are conducted fairly and without malpractice.
“We want the examinations to be credible. Cases of malpractice must be prevented at all costs. Those entrusted with overseeing the examinations must remain vigilant to safeguard their integrity,” Wamatangi said.
The philanthropist also urged the government to ensure fairness and transparency in the placement of learners transitioning to senior schools after completing the KJSEA examinations.
He expressed concern over cases where learners were reportedly placed in day schools far from their homes, including placements outside their home counties, saying such decisions could impose additional transport costs and inconvenience families.
“Come next year, we do not want to experience what happened this year concerning school placement. It was unfortunate to see a learner placed in a day school in another county, far from home,” he added.
Wamatangi called for equitable investment in school infrastructure across the country, noting that disparities in facilities could disadvantage learners and complicate the transition to senior school.
He further observed that school placement should take into account learners’ circumstances and the availability of essential facilities to ensure all students have a fair opportunity to access quality education.
Meanwhile, he urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children during the upcoming long school holiday, warning that inadequate supervision could expose young people to risky behaviour.
He particularly raised concern over incidences of teenage pregnancies, which have remained a challenge in Murang’a County, and called for stronger parental guidance and community involvement to protect learners during the holiday.
“My appeal to parents is to remain vigilant and know what their children are doing during the holiday. We have recently witnessed cases of teenage pregnancies in Murang’a, and we want to stop this trend,” Wamatangi remarked.
He urged parents, schools and community leaders to work together to keep learners safe, encourage responsible behaviour and ensure they return to school ready for the next academic term.
By Bernard Munyao and Purity Mugo
