Top schools in KCSE unveiled as ranking debate rages

Moi High School Kabarak led by the executive director Henry Kiplagat (center in blue suit) and the principal Elisheba Cheruiyot (second left) celebrate after they emerged top in KCSE with Mean score of 11.67 on 03-03-2016 PHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU

The top schools in every county in last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination can now be revealed.

Details of the top performers in each of the 47 counties came to light as debate raged on the re-introduction of performance ranking of schools and candidates.

The results highlighted the inequality in education standards, whereby the top school in Tana River County, Mau Mau Memorial Girls Secondary School, had a mean score of 4.42. By comparison, the overall nationwide champions; Moi High School Kabarak (Nakuru), recorded 11.66. The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) results released by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i did not have a merit list of schools and candidates.

These details emerged after Knec released statistics specific to schools last week. "Head teachers and principals can now view and download their respective 2015 KCSE performance statistics on the Knec website. The statistics include a performance index and centre mean," read a statement released on March 9 by Knec Head of Communication Frida Were.

Dr Matiang'i had said the ranking debate would be revisited, noting that it was "a matter of great interest".

Education stakeholders who spoke to The Standard said ranking should be re-introduced and implemented in a better way.

Former Education Secretary Enos Oyaya said the previous method of ranking had loopholes that can be sealed to restore credibility in the exercise.

 Ranking Basis

He said candidates' entry behaviour, number of candidates per school, co-curriculum activities and special interest candidates must form the basis of ranking.

"Some secondary schools only admit top KCPE candidates who scored 400 marks and above. And some admit Form One's who scored less. Yet during KCSE ranking, only one merit list is produced of top 100 schools and candidates," said Mr Oyaya.

 Education Committee Chairperson Sabina Chege said they had not officially taken a position on the re-introduction of ranking.

"But my take is that it must be reformed and implemented differently. All aspects of schooling should be taken into consideration and examinations should only constitute 40 per cent of meriting," she said.

The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Chairman John Awiti said national schools ought to have a merit list because they select the best during Form One admissions. "Extra county, county schools and sub-county schools should be ranked in their various categories because they pick candidates based on different KCPE grades," said Mr Awiti.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) welcomed the ranking debate but differed on how it should be re-introduced.

Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori said ranking was good but should only be introduced after credibility of examinations is restored.  Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion said an improved ranking tool should be developed to integrate all aspects of learning, including co-curricular activities.