The government has defended the process of form one selection after parents and students cried foul. A deputy director in the Ministry of Education, Albert Ekirapa, said the selection format offers equality to all students. Complaints had risen that the selection process was skewed with students who scored as high as 400 marks selected to join “small schools”. Students felt demoralised since their dream to join schools of their choice were been shattered. But speaking in Kisumu on Monday during the launch of the selection process in the region, Ekirapa said the parameters that are being used in the process are benefiting both private and public schools. “The process is just and there should be no complaints, we are ensuring that all students who sat KCPE do not feel discriminated in the selection process,” he said. He said they are not only considering merit for the selection but looking other factors to ensure no student is discriminated in the process. Ekirapa said marginalised areas have been given priority and students who scored better marks are being considered for national schools. “The leading student in one of the sub-counties in Turkana County had 350 marks, that student hails from marginalised area and must be considered for space in the national school,” he said.

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