The much awaited form one selection exercise that will be presided over by the Cabinet Secretary of Education Dr Fred Matiang'i is expected to kick off on Friday.
However, to the candidates who sat for last year's KCPE exams, their parents and relatives alike, have high expectations ahead of the exercise which is expected to decide the future of the candidates.
The exercise will be conducted after a series of consultative meetings among various stakeholders in the education sector.
The meetings were held in an attempt to device a mechanism to ensure equity and fairness in the selection process.
The Ministry of Education which has in the past been criticised by parents over bias claims in the selection exercise is expected to carry out the exercise impartially to redeem its image.
To the parents here, they expect their children to be considered for a chance in the schools they had applied for, considering that the region has of late been producing bad results.
The parents said they expect the ministry to bring regional balance in the exercise, in order to ensure equity.
Rose Nyamai, a Mtongwe resident whose daughter scored scored 350 marks, said she has high expectations and is hopeful her daughter will go to a nice school.
“My daughter should attend a good school. 350 is a good score considering the environment she schooled in. Let her be considered for a good school,” she said.
Fatuma Abdi, whose son scored 241 marks, said she believes her son can perform well if given the opportunity to attend a good school.
“I believe he has the ability to perform well. He didn’t perform well in his national exams but if given the opportunity to learn in a conducive environment, he can surprise you,” said Abdi, a Likoni resident.
Her comments were echoed by, Paul Otulia, a Likoni resident, who expects his brother to attend a national school, considering he scored 400 marks, in a ‘hardship’ environment.