The government has been challenged to restore ranking of schools and students in the national examinations.
Speaking on Friday during an interview with this writer, Precious Hope primary school director Samuel Mirieri took issue with the abolished ranking of schools arguing the system created competition among learners.
“I laud the government for its efforts towards improving education standards in the country. However, it should restore the ranking system of candidates. The system made learners work hard towards achieving academic excellence,” observed the director.
Mr Mirieri lauded the Education cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i for being fair and considerate in Form One selection.
The CS announced on January 21, 2015, that the new selection criteria would provide equal opportunity among students from both public and private schools whereby the minimum mark for one to join a National School is 350 marks.
“The selection criteria, in the past, used to segregate and punish pupils from private schools at the expense of their counterparts from public schools. The new criteria will motivate our learners to create interest and have ambition in learning. I hail CS Matiang’i for the brilliant move of saving the Kenyan child from discrimination,” said the director.
He challenged public schools to emulate private schools so as to improve performance in their institutions.
He also challenged the government to support and equip public schools if it’s serious in its war against illiteracy.
He appealed to parents and guardians to invest in education of their children noting it is the only weapon against poverty.