The Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training,
Mr Philipo Mulugo.
AS Standard Seven National Examinations begin on Wednesday, the number of girls sitting for the exams is more than that of boys.
Likewise, the government plans to introduce standard two national examinations to address issues of students completing primary education while they can't read and write.
Addressing journalists, the Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Mr Phillip Mulugo, said that out of 868,030 registered to sit for the national examinations, 455,925 are girls while 412,105 are boys.
"The Standard Seven examinations will be conducted for two days, on the 11th and 12th of this month and subjects to be tested on are English, Kiswahili, Science, Mathematics and domestic Sciences," the Deputy Minister added.
He said that a total of 844,810 pupils will sit for the examination in Kiswahili, out of which 400,335 are boys and 444,475 being girls.
Those sitting for the examinations in English language are 22, 535, out of which 11,430 are boys while girls constitute 11, 105.
A total of 88 visually impaired students are registered to sit for the exams, of which 56 are boys and 32 girls.
Those with partial vision impairment, needing large print are 596 out of which 546 will sit for the exams in Kiswahili while 51 will do the exams in English language.
The Deputy Minister said that all preparations have been completed including distribution of materials such as exam papers and special answer sheets called the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR).
Responding to questions from journalists Mr Mulugo said plans to hold standard two national examinations is among objectives outlined in the Big Results Now (BRN) programme in the ministry.
"The ministry is set to ensure the problem of incompetent pupils who cannot read or write pass exams and go on to form one is curbed.
This will be through various steps including conducting frequent exams, so either this year or next year we will hold national examinations for standard two pupils," he explained.
Mr Mulugo urged invigilators to play their role effectively and ensure that all exams are completed as scheduled, stressing that the government will not accept cheating in national examinations.
"I want to warn all invigilators that the government will take action against all who will participate in cheating by giving answers to candidates," said Mulugo said.
He added that he is sure that teachers have prepared their pupils well to sit for the exams, adding that if they are well prepared then they will perform well.
