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Aggrieved parents whose children have allegedly been denied access to extra county schools for the Form One intake stand outside the Nyeri High Court during the hearing of a case filed by the Nyeri County Government, Monday. [Photo: Mose Sammy/Standard] |
By Lydiah Nyawira
Nyeri, Kenya: The Nyeri County Government is conducting an audit of candidates who have been affected by what it terms as an unfair Form One selection process.
Following a notice circulated in churches, mosques and schools, the administration asked that pupils who had selected the 10 county schools and had attained the minimum admission marks register at the nearest county government office.
The exercise, expected to take two days, will end Tuesday.
Nyeri County Executive in charge of Education Elijah Nguyo said the government expected over 600 parents to come forward from across the county.
“We had parents who had complained but we believe that there are others who had not come forward but were still affected by the selection process and their children had attained the marks but not been assigned schools,” Nguyo said.
Parents who visited the county offices to register raised concern that their children were stressed since they had worked hard but were still at home.
“We want to capture accurate data so that even as the court makes a decision on the case these children are not left out,” Nguyo explained.
Joyce Mumbi, a resident, said her daughter attained 331 marks but her result slip indicated that she was a male and had been assigned to Kiriti Boys High School.
“I went to the Ministry of Education offices in Nyeri County but they sent me away and they told me to come register here at the county office,” explained Ms Mumbi.
First choice
She said her daughter had selected Mahiga Girls’ and Othaya Girls’ secondary schools as her first and second choices, respectively.
Mumbi said her daughter had been caught up in the confusion and would not get the opportunity to join Form One until the case is resolved.
“When we failed to get an admission letter because of the mix-up of her gender on the certificate, I went to various county girls’ schools requesting them to consider admitting my child but they said they could not do it until the case is resolved,” Ms Mumbi said.
John Maina Macharia, a Tetu Sub County resident, said his daughter attained 340 marks but was assigned to Gachika Mixed Secondary School.
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Macharia said his daughter had chosen Othaya Girls’ and Kangumbiri Girls’ high schools as her first and second choices and he was hesitant to take her to the mixed school.
“What was the cut-off point for these county schools? I have been saving up for her secondary education and had high hopes she would be admitted to Othaya Girls’ which is close to our home,” Macharia said.
“As parents we want the best for our children. We have been encouraging them to work hard and they did their part. How then do we explain that their effort means nothing?,” Macharia posed.
The Nyeri County Government has also petitioned the Education ministry over a flawed Form One selection exercise. The court is set to rule on February 17.