NPA ASSURES FLOOD-HIT COUNTIES: ‘NO CHILD SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND IN NATIONAL EXAMS’
NAIROBI, Kenya — September 28, 2026
By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor
The National Parents Association (NPA) has assured parents, teachers and candidates in the 18 counties identified as flood-prone or flood-hotspot areas that no learner should be disadvantaged because of where they live as the country prepares for national examinations and assessments.
The NPA said parents and guardians should remain calm and continue supporting their children’s academic preparation despite heavy rains, flooding and possible weather-related disruptions.
The Association noted that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), working alongside the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Ministry of Interior and National Administration, security agencies and education authorities, has established structures for the safe and orderly administration of national examinations across the country.
Authorities Urged to Prepare for Flood Disruptions
The NPA called on relevant government agencies to continue monitoring weather and accessibility conditions in flood-prone areas and make timely operational arrangements where necessary.
It said roads becoming impassable, schools or examination centres being affected, or communities being displaced should be addressed promptly to protect learners, examination personnel and examination materials.
The Association further stressed that examination materials must remain secure throughout their distribution, administration and return.
Special Focus on Grade 6 and Grade 9 Learners
The NPA has particularly appealed to parents and teachers to provide additional reassurance and preparation to Grade 6 and Grade 9 learners who may be experiencing national assessments at this level for the first time.
Parents have been urged to:
– Encourage children to attend school and revision sessions where it is safe to do so.
– Ensure candidates get adequate rest, meals and necessary learning materials.
– Maintain communication with teachers and school administrators.
– Rely on official information from schools, KNEC and the Ministry of Education rather than social-media rumours.
– Notify schools early where flooding, damaged roads or displacement creates genuine difficulties.
– Encourage candidates to remain calm and concentrate on demonstrating what they have learnt.
Teachers have also been urged to continue preparing learners academically while building their confidence, discipline and familiarity with examination procedures.
NPA Calls for Stronger Community Coordination
The Association has called for continued coordination between KNEC, the Ministry of Education, TSC, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, county governments, security agencies, education officers and school administrators.
The NPA also asked KNEC and the Ministry of Education to engage its national and grassroots structures where community-level communication and support may be required.
According to the Association, its structures can help disseminate verified information, counter examination-related misinformation, report genuine logistical concerns, encourage safe access to examination centres and support vulnerable families within its mandate.
The NPA emphasised that such involvement should complement, rather than interfere with, KNEC’s statutory responsibilities and the Government’s established examination chain of command.
‘DO NOT CHEAT’ — NPA Warns Parents and Candidates
The Association has issued a stern warning against examination malpractice, cautioning parents, guardians, teachers, candidates, school officials and other individuals against attempting to access, buy, sell, transmit or facilitate access to examination materials unlawfully.
The NPA said difficult weather conditions, parental pressure, competition or anxiety over results should never be used as an excuse for cheating.
It further reminded parents that facilitating malpractice could expose candidates to sanctions, including cancellation or withholding of results where applicable, while adults involved may also face consequences under the applicable legal framework.
“Parents should never allow anxiety about their children’s performance to push them into seeking shortcuts,” the Association said.
The NPA urged parents to report suspicious approaches, requests for money, alleged examination leaks or attempts to involve them in malpractice through appropriate official channels.
Prepare, Not Panic; Support, Not Pressure’
The Association called on parents to adopt a supportive approach as the examination period approaches.
“Parents should prepare, not panic; support, not pressure; and protect, not compromise, their children,” the NPA said.
The Association also reassured learners in flood-prone areas that difficult weather conditions do not make them lesser candidates and urged them to concentrate on their preparation.
The NPA called on government agencies to assess genuine disruptions and make appropriate arrangements within the established examination rules whenever necessary.
Every Child Counts
The National Parents Association reaffirmed its commitment to working with KNEC, the Ministry of Education, TSC, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, county governments, teachers, school administrators and communities to support a safe, orderly, equitable and credible examination process.
The Association urged authorities to maintain close monitoring of flood-prone areas and communicate promptly whenever operational adjustments are necessary.
“Every child counts. Every candidate deserves a fair opportunity. Every examination must remain credible,” the NPA said.
The Association concluded with a call to parents and communities:
LET US PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.
LET US PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THEIR EXAMINATIONS.
LET US PROTECT THE CREDIBILITY OF KENYA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM.
