Give us our schools of choice, candidates say

Top performers in last year's Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations have expressed hopes of being selected to the schools they chose ahead of Tuesday's Form One exercise.

In South and Central Rift region, the pupils have called on the Education ministry to conduct the exercise in a fair manner.

The candidates said free and fair selection would enable all students join the schools of their choice to help them attain their academic dreams.

Eddy Bogonko from Kagaki School in Rongai sub-county, who scored 434 marks, said each candidate should be admitted to the school of his or her choice according to the marks scored in the national examination.

"The selection exercise should be done transparently according to the marks scored," said Bogonko.

He further said the exercise should be conducted fast to provide ample preparation time for both parents and students.

"I want to know the school I have been admitted to immediately the exercise ends. This will enable my mother prepare on time," he added.

Ian Koima from Crescent Academy in Baringo County, who scored 422 marks, said the exercise should be conducted based on merit.

The candidate, who eyes Kapsabet boys, said he wants to undertake journalism and architecture degrees in future. "The reason each candidate worked hard is to achieve good marks to enable him or her join the school of their choice," said Koima.

Elaine Ngala of Sunrise Valley Academy, who scored 439 marks to emerge the top in Kakamega County and second nationally, hopes to join Moi Girls' School Eldoret.

"I love this school and I have high expectations the school will nurture my potential and help me achieve my dream career of studying a degree in Botany at Egerton University," said Elaine.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula had offered to sponsor her up to university level.

Seth Barasa of St Teresa's Isanjiro Primary School in Malava is hopeful that the selection panel will offer him a chance to study at Mary Hill School.

"After scoring 434 marks in KCPE, I am sure the school will help me realise my academic potential," Seth said.

Seth's teachers among them the school's deputy head teacher Daniel Nabwa are also banking on the same hopes.

His father Japheth Barasa said: "I hope he will get a chance at Mary Hill School, the school of his choice."

In Kisumu, pupils said they are waiting anxiously for the outcome. Alex Onsarigo of M-M-Shah Primary School, who scored 438 marks, said the uncertainty was high among pupils.

Onsarigo is hoping to join Alliance High School.

The 15-year-old said he would not settle for anything less than Alliance. He, however, said he would "cross the bridge when I get there", in case he does not get his choice.

"I would not accept any other national school because all my hopes are on Alliance High School," said Onsarigo.

Castro Omondi of Golden Elite Academy said he also chose Alliance High School. He scored 431 marks.

Omondi, who would wish to study electrical engineering, said he is anxious on whether he would qualify.

With the quota system giving candidates in public schools priority over their counterparts in private ones, Omondi is worried he might not get his dream school.

The abolition of the ranking system is another headache. He said he was concerned as he does not know how many pupils from the region scored higher marks than him in the examination.

The Education ministry had indicated that two leading candidates in every sub-county would have an automatic place in the national examinations. "I am confident I am national school material but there is uncertainty. But, I am ready to go to any school which I shall have been allocated," said Omondi.

-Report by Mercy Kahenda, Alex Wakhisi, Kevine Omollo and Rushdie Oudia