<p>I think it is time the Kenya National Examinations Council renamed Chemistry Paper Three.</p>
<p>If I had the chance of being consulted on its new name, I would go for “Humiliation” since it perfectly suits the scenario.</p>
<p>This year, I happened to invigilate the KCSE exams in a third world school, somewhere in Kuresoi North and much as the Kenyan Government insists on the 100% transition, not all students are well suited to sit for some papers.</p>
<p>Chemistry Paper Three is one of the “grey” areas for such kind of candidates.</p>
<p><strong>BROKEN APPARATUS</strong><br />
Within the first 30 minutes, 70 % of the students had broken 2 to 3 test tubes.<br />
I do not know whether to associate the broken test tubes with fear or ignorance.</p>
<p>This means that the candidates were literary stuck knowing how “well-equipped” such schools are.</p>
<p>Others could not simply measure Liquid X using a burette!</p>
<p><strong>FIRE</strong><br />
The ability to follow instructions is crucial if a student has to excel in exams, Practicals included.</p>
<p>The situation usually becomes fatal if students cannot follow instructions well.</p>
<p>One of the instructions required the students to ignite a particular solid.</p>
<p>Instead of passing it quickly through fire, some were overheating the glass directly.</p>
<p>I was perplexed when a student’s solid was set ablaze and the glass broke.</p>
<p>The boy kept on running from one point to another wondering what to do.</p>
<p>He finally dipped the glass containing the solid in water and what followed next…I think your guess is as good as mine.</p>
<p><strong>THE PAIN OF EXACT AMOUNTS OF REAGENTS</strong><br />
In a bid to curb cheating in KCSE examinations, KNEC has come up with a new mechanism-delivering the exact amounts of reagents used in all Practicals.</p>
<p>Due to tension, almost 15 candidates had spilt the reagents needed for the Practical within the first 20 minutes.</p>
<p>This means that they could not carry out the Practical since there were no reagents to be used.</p>
<p>We helplessly sat watching the candidates score nothing since the reagents could not be locally prepared by their teacher.</p>
<p>Take note of the fact that the student needs to follow the instructions given to mix the reagents, make observations, record them and infer.</p>
<p><strong>PHYSICALLY- CHALLENGED CANDIDATES</strong><br />
One of the invigilators manning the examination centre was also forced to hold the apparatus for a physically- challenged girl whose right hand was dysfunctional.</p>
<p>I did wonder if this was necessary.</p>
<p>Why can’t KNEC do away with Practicals for the physically challenged candidates?</p>
<p>Why subject them to such humiliation which reminds them of who they are?<br />
I am appealing to the Kenya National Examinations Council to reconsider the issue of Practicals.</p>
<p>KCSE should not be a matter of life and death!</p>

