A set of identical twins who sat for their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in the year 2019 at the Ekerubo Primary School, Nyamira County have appealed to Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha to allow them to attend the same high school.
According to a report by The Daily Nation, the twins identified as John and Joshua Gisore attended the same primary school, Ekerubo all through, however, scored different marks during the national examinations.
Joshua scored 421 marks while his brother John scored 390 marks. As a result, Joshua was called to the Alliance Boys High school while John was called to Tenwek Boys High School, a situation that left them in a separation anxiety dilemma.
''We have never been separated since birth. At home, we share a bed and even always only attended the same school for 8 years,'' Joshua was quoted.
Joshua held nothing back as he explained his dilemma of having to be separated from his brother.
''All that was brought to an end after we received admission letters from different schools. My humble request to the CS is to intervene and allow us to join our dream school together.''
Their father, Jared Gisore strongly backed his sons' plea fearing the separation anxiety might have an effect on their performance as they had never been apart before.
''It's disappointing that I have been invited to Tenwek instead,'' John was also quoted to have emotionally stated.
However, the twins bond was put to the test when they were challenged to decide whether they would forfeit the slots in either of the schools and attend a local high school just so that they wouldn't be separated, and both boys were willing.
''Even if it means enduring criticism from fellow students and neighbours or not joining Alliance, I would be prepared to do it as long as I am with my brother,'' John emphasized.
Research on the effects of classroom separation on twin behaviours, progress at school and reading abilities, found that pairs who were separated had significantly more teacher-rated internalizing problems and lower reading scores while identical twins showed even more problems.
