In time of grand coalition troubles, students offer lessons in leadership

This resolution was supported by Mr Koech, who said the decision would lock out 20,000 youngsters from replacing public servants who retire annually. “This decision came at the wrong time when levels of unemployment are very high,” he said.

The students asked schools to come up with the proper criteria for selecting prefects, whom they blamed for the high incidence of school riots last year. Some prefects are high-handed and do not provide a good link with teachers, they noted. “Prefects should be selected through a competitive policy which is open and that takes into account leadership qualities of students,” they said.

They accused some school heads of living outside their institutions, noting that some engage in private businesses. They asked the Education ministry to allow mock examinations in schools, arguing that they are important in gauging students’ abilities.

Representing Central Province, avid Mwaura urged MPs to pay taxes to raise Sh2.3 billion which, he said, would be used to pay fees for needy students. The students called for the scrapping of the quota system of admission so that students may study in any school in the country.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman Cleophas Tirop supported the call to end the quota system. “Even teachers should work anywhere. If I am told to move from Kapsabet Boys to Mbooni (in Eastern), I should accept the transfer,” he said.