By Azael Masese
Leaders from Uasin Gishu County have expressed concern over the declining levels of education standards in the region as manifested through poor performance in national examinations.
This has prompted calls to address the dismal performance with Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang’ saying he intends to meet the school heads soon.
“As a resident of the county, I would cheat to say that I am impressed with the performance and would request that we meet to deliberate on the same,” he said.
He said this while addressing the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Uasin Gishu Annual Conference at a Nairobi Hotel.
Teachers Service Commission acting Director (Teacher Management) Mrs. Mary Rotich also expressed concern over the same, saying it does not paint a good picture for the region.
Despite the numerous challenges facing the neighbouring counties Trans Nzoia and West Pokot, the two posted better results in the 2017 KCSE compared to Uasin Gishu.
Speaking on her behalf, Ms Elisabeth Nzioka from the TSC staffing division said during the 2017 KCSE West Pokot posted a mean index of 4.14.
Trans Nzoia registered a mean index of 4.91 while Uasin Gishu registered a mean index of 3.20.
She said that while shortage of teachers in Trans Nzoia stood at 1990 Uasin Gishu was better staffed with teacher shortage of 1139 teachers.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno who closed the four day event admitted that the poor results are worrying.
However, he urged, the Kenya National Examinations Council KNEC to provide a report on the performance to establish critical solutions on certain areas.
“After the results are out we expect to get analysis of the subject performances since it is not enough to say that the performance was poor,” he said.
He stated that it would provide further insight to establish if the students were taught in the examinable topic and how the teaching was besides the setting of the examinations.
He also apportioned blame on the poor quality of teachers posted to schools and called for their vetting.
“Before they are hired they should be subjected to competence based examinations and we are worried that their teaching standards are low,” he said.
