Mike Mwaniki
1 March 2008
Nairobi — The Government should establish a taskforce to address the plight of more than 350,000 Form Four students who have failed the examinations in the past two years.
Kenya National Association of Parents secretary general Musau Ndunda on Friday said a total of 374,497 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) students managed to score between an E and C in their examinations.
"This group, which represents 72 per cent of the KCSE candidates, failed and were unable to meet the minimum qualifications to enable them join the best colleges and universities."
He continued: "We are, therefore, surprised that nobody has been addressing the plight of the students who have now been thrown into 'eternal suffering' at a young age."
Mr Ndunda recommended that a taskforce be immediately set up to give recommendations on how this group would be helped.
He was addressing reporters at Professional Centre in Nairobi.
On Thursday, while releasing the examination results, Education minister Sam Ongeri said about 16,000 students who sat KCSE last year would join public universities next year. This will be the highest number of candidates to be admitted to public universities since the 8-4-4 system of education was introduced in 1989.
Change its policy
Mr Ndunda called on the Kenya National Examination Council to change its policy of "forcing" all students to sit and pass English, Maths and Kiswahili, which are regarded as mandatory subjects.
"My association is urging the Government to allow students to choose subjects of their choice, which they would like to specialise in," the official said.
Mr Ndunda, who was accompanied by his deputy, Ms Rachel Oduor, also called for a review of the membership of boards of governors in schools, saying students needed to be incorporated.
The official suggested that the Children's Act (2001) be amended to make it criminal for any parent or guardian found exposing under-age children to alcohol and smoking in bars and other social places.
"Police should be mandated to arrest and charge parents or guardians found accompanied by under-age children in our social places," Mr Ndunda said.
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