MPs pass motion to reinstate school ranking

This comes barely three weeks after Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi made good of the ministry’s decision to drop ranking in schools during the release of last year’s KCSE results.

Speaking while releasing the results, Prof Jacob Kaimenyi emphasized that the demerits of ranking outweighed the merits.

Mr Kaimenyi further intimated that the decision was made following the findings of different committees and commissions dating back to 1999.

This move was however met with a lot of criticism from stakeholders in the education sector.

DEMORALIZE TEACHERS

KNUT and KUPPET officials criticised the move, claiming the policy will demoralize teachers and students.

In a quick rejoinder, the government has ruled out implementing a resolution of the National Assembly.
 
Majority Leader Aden Duale, who is the link between the executive and the House, said they will not go back on its policy which was informed by findings of seven government taskforces.

He further said that the taskforces called for the abolishment of the system and its replacement by  other more credible ways of achieving school excellence in academics.

DEPTH OF LEARNING
  
According to the reports, ranking of schools has led to a decline in the depth of learning in schools because teachers become preoccupied with testing and examinations at the expense of character development.
 
However, Minority Chief Whip Thomas Mwadeghu and Ainabkoi Mp Samuel Chepkonga dismissed the reports saying they were trying to cover up failure by successive governments to invest in public school infrastructure.
 
Marakwet West William Kipkemboi and Ruiru Mp Esther Gathogo supported the motion by Kiminini Mp Chris Wamalwa saying the ranking system will promote competitiveness among students and lift morale among teachers.
 

By Wangui Ngechu