By Kipkemboi Toroitich
Kenya ‘E’ Graders Association, an amorphous group drawing its membership from KCSE candidates who scored an average ‘E’ in their time, is gaining popularity with 50 ardent members and receiving a lot of correspondences from potential clients.
Chaired by Simba Njagi, the erstwhile founder and patron, the association’s objective is to demystify and destigmatize the grade, granting it a face of acceptance as just another score in the ranking conventions.
“Scoring an ‘E’ is not the end of life,” remarks Njagi. “Failing to score C+ is not failure per se,” he added, insisting that they have to come together to gain recognition in a deeply discriminating education grading system.
It is not immediately clear if Njagi himself got ‘E’, having sat his KCSE in 2011. He said those who attained the lowest grade can still be useful in society through artisan occupations such as sewing and sculpture.
The group has established a library in Kariobangi that can be accessed free for children and at a small fee for adults, an apparent demonstration of its commitment to education. He hopes to diversify the library to include vocational training if donors come their way.
Njagi says for starters, he has requested the National Youth Service (NYS) to take up some of its members to undertake its training programmes. He is yet to receive feedback from the agency.
The 2021 KCSE posted 46,151 candidates with ‘E’ mean grades, a new record high in the history of the examinations.
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