By Talarus Chesang
Baringo South elites have written to the Ministry of Education demanding special attention to KCPE candidates from banditry- prone areas on form one selection.
High Court Advocate Fridah Lotuiya, who is also seeking Baringo South Parliamentary seat, while representing the Elites at Marigat in Baringo South, wants class eight candidates in areas affected by insecurity to be given priority in form one selection exercise purposed to start soon.
“KCPE candidates especially from Baringo South and Baringo North who were affected by banditry did not get a conducive environment to write their national exams,” Lotuiya said.
In her letter, she noted that parts of Mochongoi, Ilchamus and Bartabwa wards in Baringo South and North have been affected by rampant banditry which has led to the loss of lives, property, displacements, children dropping out of school and hopelessness.
“The students in the areas affected by bandits have had to suspend their learning for so long, the environment is marred with gunshots, anxiety and fear. Some had to drop out of school because of the insecurity” she stated.
During the examination time, the students were attacked by bandits who stormed the named areas, killing people and driving away thousands of animals.
The area was not conducive to sit examinations and some students had to be transferred to other schools in order to participate in the national exercise.
“Against all odds, some of the students did exceptionally well in the just released examination results,” read a section of her letter.
She also wrote in the letter that it would be unfair and unjust to use a uniform admission criterion for all the students that were affected by the insecurity and those who were not affected, without taking into consideration the prevailing circumstances during the time of examination.
“It is noteworthy that the 8-4-4 curriculum does not take into consideration any previous performances by the students, and therefore circumstances surrounding the time of the final exam become critical and relevant if justice is to be done,” read part of the letter.
She also called on the Ministry of Education to fully sponsor students from affected areas as a way of ensuring that they get to access equal opportunities with all the other students, and give hope to their families.
“The families where those students belong have been robbed dry by the bandits, lost their bread winners, and most of them have been displaced and now living either with relatives while most are homeless,” the letter read.
