By Sefu Sabila Worth Noting:
- “To stay that the number of students who cannot be accounted for at home because of fees I think is being untruthful. We have issues of discipline, students just disappear from schools never to be seen again. The menace of early pregnancies, many girls were unable to sit exams because they were expectant.” Dr. Kisiang’ani further stated.
- As a ministry together with education stakeholders, he says it’s a call to reconsider policies in the sector and an inward analysis of the results to secure the ailing sector.
- “We need to reflect on the results and the reflection will basically tell us to invest in education. We need to rethink our policies.” Dr. Kisiang’ani added.
The Cabinet Secretary for education Ezekiel Machogu on Monday released the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Annoucing the results, the CS raised concerns about the higher number of candidates who attained grade E, the highest in history at 48,174. This prompted the CS to call for investigation on the issue.
“I order the directorate of quality assurance to work with field officers and teachers to investigate these grade E cases in each county of the country, and submit a report to me within one month for further action.” CS Machogu directed.
During an interview with a local medium, education expert Kennedy Kisiang’ani said the just released results have exposed the crisis in education sector. He attributes the large number of candidates who did not attain university grades to less motivated teaching staff and financial struggles.
“These results are a reflection of a struggling system, a dissatisfied teaching force and an underfunded system. If we had not used the new grading formula of using 1 compulsory and 2 best-performed subjects, we would be shedding more tears than we are doing now. These results should be a wakeup call to the government that our education system is in a serious crisis. Said Dr. Kisiang’ani.
The educationist further refuted claims by the ministry on the whereabouts of those students who didn’t sit for the national exam as lack of fees as not reliable, Dr. Kisiang’ani said the early pregnancy a major threat to the education system as well as indiscipline cases witnessed by burning of schools and attacks on the teaching staff as a factor to be weighed in.
“To stay that the number of students who cannot be accounted for at home because of fees I think is being untruthful. We have issues of discipline, students just disappear from schools never to be seen again. The menace of early pregnancies, many girls were unable to sit exams because they were expectant.” Dr. Kisiang’ani further stated.
As a ministry together with education stakeholders, he says it’s a call to reconsider policies in the sector and an inward analysis of the results to secure the ailing sector.
“We need to reflect on the results and the reflection will basically tell us to invest in education. We need to rethink our policies.” Dr. Kisiang’ani added.
Of 889,453 candidates only 201,133 attained C+ and above, securing placement of direct admission to universities, while 694,400 candidates scored less than a C+, which gives them a placement in technical and vocational trainings across the country.
Urging candidates who did not secure direct university entry, Uasin Gishu County Women Representative and National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Gladys Boss encouraged those who did not make it not to give up in the education sector. She however, encouraged them to enrol in TVETS and vocational institutions as scaling into the higher levels and ranks in education does not account for as a failure in life. She further requested the CS to encourage enrollment into the TVETS and vocational trainings.
“Whatever grade you get does not define you. Because at every stage in life one has a chance to improve. The examination system must be made in away that it is not an eliminating system but an accomodating system, that even C students like me can feel accommodated. Even those with the least grade should know that they have an opportunity to go to TVETS and other colleges and eventually make their way to top and even become a professor. Step by step from certificate, diploma, degree and moving higher.” Hon. Boss Shollei said.
” Those who will not make it to the universities should appreciate the technical and vocational trainings as they are handy with the current system, including the job market is more technical and can further from the lowest level. We shall be supporting this TVETS and vocational Trainings as a government. Parents should not despair as their is opportunity for everyone regardless of their grade.” Ainabkoi Constituency Lawmaker Paul Chepkonga added.
In support of the two Lawmaker, Embakasi East Mp Babu Owino said, “My advice to the 694,400 students who never scored a C+ and above in KCSE, do not be embarrassed by your failure, learn from it. There are many opportunities still awaiting for you. Let some register for certificate courses while others diploma courses, but don’t stop there.”
In 2020, 2,000 candidates who attained the minimum university admission Grade of C+ in 2019’s KCSE opted to join TVET institutions, data from Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service indicated.
The CS directed the Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) to speed up the process of aligning courses with the grading system for technical and vocational training institute for admissions to begin in March. Additionally in boosting the TVETS and vocational trainings, speaking during the laying of foundation for the affordable housing project in Uasin Gishu County, President William Ruto said the government has set aside Kshs 46 billion for the new university funding model and Kshs 5 billion for TVET capitation. Late last year, the government recruited trainers in the institutions, who are set to report starting this month.
TVETS and vocational trainings have in the recent day gained popularity in the country, as the technical skills are the most sorted in the job market, the ministry of education has undertaken training for trainers under the CBET, that will align and prepare trainers to teach the current education system Curriculum Based Competence (CBC).
Mt Kenya Times