Form One selection to start on January 20
Fadhili Manyasa (left) and Augustine Odhiambo of St John’s Mahiakalo Primary school in Kakamega are carried shoulder high on December 30 after scoring 401 and 431 marks respectively in the 2014 KCPE exam. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE |
What you need to know:
- Teachers’ boycott threat blamed for delay of admissions.
- Ministry says Selected students are expected to report to their new schools on February 2.
The selection of students joining Form One this year will start on January 20, three weeks after the release of the Standard Eight examination results.
According to information from the Education ministry, those selected will report on February 2.
Selection will begin with national schools followed by county and district schools.
Traditionally, Form One selection takes place a week after the release of the exam results. But this time round, it seems the selection has been delayed because of a teachers’ strike threat that is likely to affect reopening of schools on Monday.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) issued the strike notice on December 27, stating that its members would down their tools on January 5 should the government fail to award them a new salary package.
The Teachers Service Commission on Wednesday placed an advert in the dailies urging the union to call off the strike and invited its officials for a meeting on Saturday to resolve the impasse.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers has also joined the strike call. The union asked its members not to participate in the Form One selection.
In line with the guidelines issued in December, Form One selection will be determined by scores obtained by candidates, quotas (allocating places for children from public and public schools on a pro-rata basis), affirmative action in terms of region and gender and candidates’ choices.
The guidelines also outlined the way schools would be classified for Form One admission — national, extra-county, county, sub-county and special needs.
DEBATE ON BAN
The best mark recorded so far in last year’s KCPE exam was 441, attained by Tracy Okwach of Nairobi’s New Light Academy, followed by Russell Otieno Omondi of Awelo Primary School in Siaya, who had 440 marks.
The planned admissions come in the wake of a debate about a ban on ranking of schools in national exams. Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi stopped school ranking and outlined 11 reasons why it was inappropriate.
Among others, he said ranking had led to unethical practices such as forcing weak candidates to repeat classes or registering them in satellite centres.
The ministry has, however, allayed fears that the ranking ban will affect Form One selection.
Secondary and Tertiary Education director Robert Masese said the selection will be based on merit, candidates’ choice, quotas and affirmative action as has been the tradition.
“There is no relationship between ranking and placement as it will be based on merit, choice, quotas and affirmative action to ensure every sub-county gets a slot in national schools,” said Mr Masese.
