Teachers warned over poor results

By Jackline Inyanji

Kakamega, Kenya: Head teachers in Kakamega North have been put on notice over poor examination results.

County leaders and educationists say punishment should be meted upon tutors who do not perform. Speaking during the area’s Education Day held at Malava Boys High School last Friday, stakeholders sought to know why the region has been performing poorly over the last five years.

Out of the 2,778 students who sat for KCSE exams in 2013, only 95 will be admitted to university. Only one student scored an A, 10 got A-, 31 B+ and 53 B.

 “You can see that while other counties are taking more students to the university, this region can only afford a paltry 95,” said Philip Kutima, the area deputy governor.

Prof Kutima, who hails from Malava Constituency, noted there was a decline in the previous track record and attributed it to overage candidates as 69 per cent of students who sit for national examinations are above 18 years.

Repeat classes

“In most schools, pupils are being forced to repeat classes and you get many sitting for KCPE examination at the age of 19, which is unacceptable,” Kutima said.

The Government is currently investigating two former principals of schools in the area for alleged misappropriation of funds. The county also boasts of some of the highest cases of defilement and indiscipline among teachers.

“Action should be taken against teachers that cannot perform in order to save our children’s future,” the deputy governor said.

He urged parents to pay fees on time to cut on the hours lost by students at home for non-payment.

Kakamega North District Education Officer Ann Shiundu however said poor results should not be blamed solely on teachers but all stakeholders in the education sector.

“All stakeholders, including priests and politicians, should tell the truth as education is an important social pillar which also guarantees  the political and economic development of the county,” Shiundu stated.

She said for underperforming heads of schools will be demoted or sacked and each person in the education sector should be committed to produce the best results.

Malava MP Malulu Injendi said fees, child labour, early pregnancies and politics is the major problem contributing to poor performance in Malava.