Officials on the spot over 'shoddy' Form One school selection process

The ongoing Form One school selection, which began yesterday at Kakamega High School, has been rubbished.

Ministry of Education officials have been put to task for allegedly admitting students who scored 200 marks to national schools while locking out those who got 390 marks and above.

"We looked at these children's geographical settings and most are poor. If denied first priority, their parents cannot afford private school fees," County Director of Education Susan Murerwa said in defence of the ministry's decision.

One parent, Caleb Nyachote, whose daughter attended Lubinu Primary, a public school, and scored 412 marks, is among those up in arms against the process.

Killed morale

His daughter said: "My dream was to join Kenya High School and I worked hard to achieve this. I have now gotten admission to a county school. This has killed my morale because some of my classmates who got 300 marks have been called to good schools. What is the use of working hard if this is what happens and is there even need for us to choose schools if we cannot be allowed to join them?"

County Secondary Schools Heads Association Chair Godfrey Owuor also criticised the selection process calling for its rectification.

"Private schools have been left out yet parents in these schools are not rich as is being claimed. Pupils who passed yet haven't been called to their choice school are demoralised, which might affect their future performance," he said.