Parents cite bias in Form One selection

Private schools have called a crisis meeting over this year’s Form One selection criteria.

The meeting, scheduled for Saturday, will discuss options for parents after the government adopted a quota system of admission where 65 per cent of spaces in national schools are reserved for pupils from public schools. (READ: Public schools get 6,600 Form I slots)

Kenya Private Schools Association chairman John Mwai said the session will provide guidance and counselling to parents.

“It is sad that after spending money educating their children, top performers cannot join national schools,” Mr Mwai told journalists in Nairobi.

The meeting comes in the wake of revelations that the top boy in Coast Province, Master Brian Nzai — who was also tenth nationally with 437 marks — was admitted to Kenyatta High School in Mombasa, despite having chosen and qualified for Alliance Boys, Mang’u High, Nakuru High and Utumishi Academy.

In Nairobi, Master Dennis Katete Kimanthi, who scored 408 at Mary Immaculate Educational Centre, was called to Aquinas High School. His choices for national schools were Nairobi School, Maseno, Nakuru High and Lenana.

Kenyatta High is one of the 30 provincial schools elevated last year to national status in a fresh bid to establish centres of excellence in all counties. (READ: Parents doubt new national schools)

Mr Mwai described the quota system as “a class time-bomb”, warning that it could destroy the quality of secondary education.

“Is it prudent to allow a system that discriminates based on class? What are the effects of this quota system?”

Selection of Form One students started last week, with national schools followed by county and district institutions.

The association last week sought stop the exercise but the court declined to grant its request.

However, the Ministry of Education was compelled to publish the criteria used in 21 days.

The meeting will also discuss attracting more investment into private secondary schools.