Unmask Form One selection, implement basic education requirement

NAIROBI: The formulation of Education policies emanates from the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Basic Education Act of Parliament and Education Commissions and Task Forces. The implementation of specific recommendations ensuing from these sources such as change in the Form One selection process, should not have been implemented without subjecting it to analysis of possible implementation effect. As of now, there is a considerable disquiet among parents and other stakeholders regarding the Form One selection criteria.

The new approach, which is meant to address, among other considerations, affirmative action for pupils from disadvantaged regions getting opportunities to join specific national schools, seems to have resulted in some of those who performed well ending up in schools they consider inferior. This seems to be a classic case of how laudable aims come unstuck when the selection processes are shrouded in secrecy, despite the constitutional need for transparency and accountability in matters of public interest.