KCSE Chemistry practical paper which was administered on Friday 9th, November 2019 has put The Kenya National and Examinations Council (KNEC) and the Ministry of Education under fire.
Daily Nation reported on Monday 11th on the same month that several teachers and students had been rushed to the hospital after being exposed to the xylene chemical during exams
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers -Kuppet has already disputed the use of the chemical compound in the national exams
“KUPPET speak on behalf of Kenyan teachers treated in very inhuman way by exposing them to deadly chemicals during chem practical,” one of the teachers complained .
The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education Belio Kipsang replied to the reports stating that the chemical was not as harmful as it was thought adding that his office was yet to receive any official complains
“It is a story, we have not heard any formal complaints. Chemistry teachers will tell you, these are the same chemicals they have been using,” Kipsang stated.
While Education CS George Magoha accused those spreading the reports of wanting to steal exams
The chemical used in KCSE 2019 exams is classified as xylene is a aromatic hydrocarbon by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
This means that constant exposure to this chemical can be very harmful and could affect vital body organs such as nervous system and the liver
Victims who have been exposed to this kind of dangerous chemical experience nausea and dizziness while high amounts of expose causes death.
