1. The Star Newspaper (Kenya): Monday, December 15, 2014
There is no denying that ranking of schools and candidates is as discriminatory as it is demoralizing. No doubt, the Cabinet Secretary for Education made a step in the right direction by abolishing that demeaning age-old practice. But as it has turned out, a heated debate has emerged.
The proponents of the ban - mostly government officials - on one hand, argue that ranking has led to examination malpractices, forcing students to repeat classes and the registration of satellite schools where weaker students are enrolled as candidates.
The opponents - mainly teachers’ unions – on the other hand, argue that ranking encourages healthy competition, eliminates vices such as laziness, boosts the quality of education and is important in the appraisal of staff. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Interesting, though, is the outlook by some international schools that abolished ranking ages ago. They believe that every child is undeniably unique and it is, therefore, unfair to rank him or her against other students of diverse abilities. This philosophy in my view justifies the banning of that patronizing practice.
Many will agree that ranking rarely recognizes a student’s participation in co-curricular activities whose importance cannot be overemphasized in this contemporary era. We all know many sports personalities, local or global, who have amassed enormous fortunes despite being ranked at the bottom of academic tables.
Similarly, many entrepreneurs dropped out of school due to stigma and frustration arising from humiliating ranking in schools. Today, they top almost every corporate rank.
Worse, ranking rarely gives consideration to acquired life skills that are a requirement underscored by many an employer. I don’t remember a job advert without the phrase ‘must be a team player’ because employers are aware of the existence of many ‘educated fools’.
It is for these reasons that employers would hire some people for some jobs because they went to certain schools and/or universities and participated in certain events or activities that are crucial for success at the workplace. They know that those schools produce confident, happier and self-driven graduates.
In fact, Kaimenyi should move with haste and abolish the Mean Grade since it has denied the country and the world some of the best professionals because they missed the requisite grade by half a point or so despite having a favorable cluster of points in the key areas; yet opportunities to repeat national examinations are few and far between.
For sure, the prohibition of ranking of candidates and schools is an idea whose time has come.
The proponents of the ban - mostly government officials - on one hand, argue that ranking has led to examination malpractices, forcing students to repeat classes and the registration of satellite schools where weaker students are enrolled as candidates.
The opponents - mainly teachers’ unions – on the other hand, argue that ranking encourages healthy competition, eliminates vices such as laziness, boosts the quality of education and is important in the appraisal of staff. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Interesting, though, is the outlook by some international schools that abolished ranking ages ago. They believe that every child is undeniably unique and it is, therefore, unfair to rank him or her against other students of diverse abilities. This philosophy in my view justifies the banning of that patronizing practice.
Many will agree that ranking rarely recognizes a student’s participation in co-curricular activities whose importance cannot be overemphasized in this contemporary era. We all know many sports personalities, local or global, who have amassed enormous fortunes despite being ranked at the bottom of academic tables.
Similarly, many entrepreneurs dropped out of school due to stigma and frustration arising from humiliating ranking in schools. Today, they top almost every corporate rank.
Worse, ranking rarely gives consideration to acquired life skills that are a requirement underscored by many an employer. I don’t remember a job advert without the phrase ‘must be a team player’ because employers are aware of the existence of many ‘educated fools’.
It is for these reasons that employers would hire some people for some jobs because they went to certain schools and/or universities and participated in certain events or activities that are crucial for success at the workplace. They know that those schools produce confident, happier and self-driven graduates.
In fact, Kaimenyi should move with haste and abolish the Mean Grade since it has denied the country and the world some of the best professionals because they missed the requisite grade by half a point or so despite having a favorable cluster of points in the key areas; yet opportunities to repeat national examinations are few and far between.
For sure, the prohibition of ranking of candidates and schools is an idea whose time has come.
Njoroge Kiratu teaches at Oshwal Academy Nairobi Junior High.
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