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By Jacob Oluoch
The 2020 KCPE exams kicked off yesterday with many challenges, including a large number of female candidates sitting their test as mothers or giving birth moments before sitting for the paper.
This situation saw a section of some public hospitals turn into examination rooms for some girls.
It is reported that at least 21 girls who sat their first papers yesterday gave birth before the exams period, while others went into labor rooms during the exams.
Authorities attributes the big numbers of underage pregnancies and Teenage mothers to the long school break owing to COVID-19 pandemic
Approximately 1.2 million candidates countrywide are sitting the tests, which were postponed last year due to COVID-19.
The report indicates that the number of pregnancy were at 200 around the country.
In Migori county , Director of Education Elizabeth Otieno confirmed that 108 out of 29,787 candidates who wrote their exams were pregnant.
In a Homabay county three girls were admitted at the hospital few hours before they sat for their exams
Ministry of Education assured the candidates that Pregnancy or delivery will not deter any girl from sitting the examination.
In Kisumu East a 17-year-old pupil at Oyola primary school delivered a baby moments before sitting for her mathematics paper.
In other Counties, like Trans Nzoia. and Bungoma county students were rushed to the hospital few minutes before the paper.
Otherwise the National examination went on well despite the many challenges.
