Rift Valley: Professionals New Demands on Form One Selection Criteria
Professionals have tabled new demands on form one selection criteria from some areas in rift valley region.
The elite of Baringoc South have written to the Ministry of Education demanding special attention to KCPE candidates on Form One selection from bandit-prone areas.
High Court advocate Fridah, who is seeking the Baringo South parliamentary seat while representing the elite in Marigat in Baringo South, wants Class VIII candidates in areas affected by insecurity to be given priority in the form one selection exercise to be done soon.
“KCPE candidates, especially from Baringo South and Baringo North, who were affected by banditry, did not find a conducive environment to write their national exams,” she said.
In the letter, she mentioned that parts of Mochongoi, Ilchamus and Bartabwa wards in Baringo south and north have been largely affected by bandits, causing loss of life, property, displacement, school dropouts and despair.
“Students in areas infested with bandits have had to postpone their education for so long, the atmosphere is filled with gunfire, anxiety and fear. Some had to drop out of school because of insecurities.”
At the time of exams, students were attacked by bandits, who raided designated areas, killing people and driving away thousands of animals.
The area was not conducive for sitting of exams and some students had to transfer to other schools to participate in the national exercise.
“Despite all odds, some students performed so well in the just released examination results,” read a part of her letter.
The letter also indicated that it would be unfair and unjust to use a uniform admission criterion for all students irrespective of whether they were affected or not affected by insecurities (without taking into account the prevailing conditions at the time of the examination).
She also called upon the Ministry of Education to fully sponsor students from the affected areas to ensure that they get equal opportunities with all other students, and give hope to their families.
