University dons from across the country have faulted the Ministry of Education for their Form One selection criteria which they termed unfair for children from humble backgrounds who attend public schools.
The dons, through their body Education Management Society of Kenya (EMSK) want the ministry to adapt an equitable selection process which is based on the ratio of students in public and private schools.
"Taking five best students from every sub county to join national schools may not result to fairness in selection process because the five may all be from private schools and or same school," said Prof Theodore Ayodo.
Their call comes 10 days to kick off of Form One selection of pupils who sat for 2015 KCPE examinations.
Ayodo, who is also the EMSK chairman said this was unacceptable and the ministry should rethink the whole process since many schools especially the private ones allegedly use dubious ways to ensure their candidates pass examinations.
The body accused private schools of engaging in drilling and rote learning in order to get the highest grades.
"Most private schools employ few teachers to maximise on financial returns and this results in drilling of pupils," he said.
Addressing the media at a Kisumu hotel on Saturday, the university dons also took a swipe at schools, accusing them of poor implementation of education curriculum that has resulted in cheating in national exams.
"There is need for a national task force to investigate examination irregularities and that Kenya National Examination Council should take responsibility just like students found cheating are punished," he said.