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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