Expert slams MPs over school ranking issue

Presidential Advisor on Education Kilemi Mwiria speaks during the launch of a report titled Literacy and Numeracy in Kenya at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Nairobi, on June 16, 2015. He has welcomed the move by the Education ministry to abolish prayer day during the third term. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ranking was abolished by former Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi amid a public outcry.
  • Mr Wamalwa said Kenyans have a right to information held by the State, saying the banning of examination performance ranking for primary and secondary schools had led to confusion, as other players were usually compelled to do their own ranking.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's advisor on Education has said Members of Parliament are misguided on the reasons why ranking of schools and candidates was banned.

Dr Kilemi Mwiria noted that ranking was abolished because it was among the causes of increased cases of cheating in national exams.

"Ranking was making some schools to do everything to be ranked. The move should be appreciated because it is one of the solutions to cheating," he said.

Ranking was abolished by former Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi amid a public outcry.

His sentiments come amid MPs quest to support a Bill aimed at legalizing the ranking of schools.

The Kenya National Examination Council (Amendment) Bill by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa also requires the examiner to develop a structured way of ranking schools fairly.

While supporting the Bill, Mr Wamalwa said Kenyans have a right to information held by the State, saying the banning of examination performance ranking for primary and secondary schools had led to confusion, as other players were usually compelled to do their own ranking.

“The excitement associated with [the] release of national examinations results is not there anymore and has been replaced by confusion as to which schools post improved results,” he said.

The Bill calls for ranking in accordance to categories in order to ensure schools with the same levels of infrastructure, staffing and other resources are classified separately from those in different categories - such as national, county and municipal schools.

The MP further argued that school ranking would inform the government on how to direct resources as well as help education stakeholders on a reward scheme in an effort to motivate top performers.

Also, the President's advisor welcomed the move by the Education ministry to abolish prayer day during the third term as well as banning of motivational speakers.

"The prayers and motivation talks in schools had also been commercialized attracting all kinds of people. These are among other measures that will help curb cheating," he said.