Form one selection nightmare as pupils migrate to public schools

Education CS Fred Matiang’i

NAIROBI: About 95,000 pupils have transferred from private to public schools in the last two years to beat the challenge posed by the Form One quota selection formula.

Private schools have demanded that the Government reviews the system they argue favours candidates from public schools.

Documents seen by The Standard show that last year alone, some 42,000 children in Standard Seven and Eight across 2,678 private schools were transferred to public schools. And this year, another 53,000 pupils left private schools on or before the KCPE examination year.

“The trend is worrying the private schools fraternity and some of them are contemplating closing down unless the Form One selection guidelines are revised to promote merit,” said Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndoro.

Already, 13 private schools have been shut across the country and some 167 institutions converted into learning centres after all candidates migrated to public schools. The latest revelation adds a new twist to the contentious Form One selection criteria that has drawn huge protest from private schools.

KPSA has twice rejected Form One selection guidelines prepared by the ministry of Education, claiming they do not promote merit.

“We have confidence in the new Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and he has indicated he is willing to engage us,” said Ndoro.