Kuppet demands a ministerial statement over the use of volatile gas in KCSE Chemistry paper

Kisumu County Kuppet Executive Secretary Zablon Awange address the press at his Office today.He says the Union now demands a ministerial statement from the Ministry of Education over the use of a volatile gas in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Chemistry practical exams-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo.

November 11, 2019.

Kuppet demands a ministerial statement over the use of volatile gas in KCSE Chemistry paper

THE Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers {Kuppet} now demands a ministerial statement from the Ministry of Education over the use of a volatile gas in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Chemistry practical exams.

The Kisumu County Kuppet Executive  Secretary Zablon Awange says it is quite unfortunate that such a highly toxic gas known as Xylene was used for the Chemistry practical last Friday in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and has caused some form of explosions in some schools within Kisumu County.

Awange says the Union now demands that the Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha issue a statement over the matter, adding that those who have been affected should be compensated following the incident.

Addressing the press at his office in Kisumu today, Awange said some exam officials who are manning the exams and were present during the Chemistry practical exams that was done last Friday also allegedly inhaled dangerous fumes from the said gas.

Awange says a number of schools some in Kisumu East, Central and Seme Sub-counties have claimed about the use of the gas which have also caused irritation to candidates and exams officials.

He says some of the affected schools include Saint Peter’s Kajulu in Seme, Kasagam Secondary School in Kisumu East and Saint Theresa’s Kibuye in Kisumu Central, adding that a number of schools were affected too.

“We want the Ministry of Education to immediately tell Kenyans why a gas known Xylene has been used during this year’s KCSE Chemistry practical. This is a highly toxic gas which can cause cancer,” Awange says.

Awange claims that some candidates and exam officials have been subjected to inhale the gas during the chemistry practical exams, adding that all those affected should visit health facilities for thorough medical checkup, adding that the ministry of Education should foot their hospital bills.

“We are asking all those teachers and students who have inhaled that gas during the chemistry practical paper held last Friday to immediately go for medical checkup because the gas is a dangerous one,” Awange adds.

He says risk allowance should be given to those teachers who are handling sciences practical exams while using chemicals stored in schools laboratories. 

Kisumu Country Director of Education Isaac Atebe could not immediately confirm the incidences but said currently the exams are ongoing smoothly without any hitch.

He promised to give a report once his office receive a comprehensive report from the Field officers.

Awange at the same told the Kenya National Examination Council and the Ministry of Education to immediately stop militarizing exams by deploying more police officers to man the ongoing form four final exams.

He says the move is meant to scare candidates tackling the exams, adding that exams should be taken under a conducive environment.

“There is too much policing of exams and we want the police officers manning exams be in civilian clothes,” he further adds.

Breathing Xylene vapors in small amounts can cause headache, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea.

With more serious exposure, Xylene can cause sleepiness, stumbling, irregular heartbeat, fainting or even death.

Xylene vapors are mildly irritating to the skin, eyes and lungs.

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