As students continue to celebrate their stellar performances in the recently released Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2021, a school in Bomet County has made headlines after posting one of the worst performances in the national test.
Chingondi Primary School in Mutharakwa Ward recorded a mean score of 86.04, with the best student recording 137 marks out of the possible 500 marks.
The school had 17 registered students with the last candidate scoring only 46 marks out of 500.
A breakdown in subject performance indicated that the top student in English managed 35 per cent, with the lowest scoring 15 per cent.
In Kiswahili, the best student garnered 28 marks with the lowest recording 6 marks out of 100. Similar results were posted in other subjects, with stakeholders in the education sector raising concerns on the performance.
One parent, who was disappointed by the results, called on education stakeholders to investigate the cause of such dismissal performance in the learning institution.
She added that the parents and residents need an urgent explanation on whether the poor results were as a result of poor preparation or exam malpractice.
"This is the worst performance ever registered in the school and we are demanding an explanation not only from the institution managers and Ministry of Education but also the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC)," one parent stated.
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and the Ministry of Education have not issued a statement on the school's performance or the next course of action to reverse the poor score.
Education officers from the county have also not responded to the matter despite the residents staging the protests.
Following the resurfacing of the results online, Kenyans took to social media to express their concerns. Arap Kavulundi, a social media user, noted that the residents need to make an informed decision on the ballot to avoid a repeat of similar results.
"This is disastrous. This slogan in Bomet is just a disaster for our children. The challenges facing the pupil in that school should be ironed out without blame games," another social media user posted.
The results come at the backdrop of a stellar performance by the candidates who sat the national exam earlier this month, with the best candidate, Bruce Magata Mackenzie, scoring 428 marks out of the 500. He attributed his performance to God and hard work.
"I can say I am very happy because I did not expect to become number one in Kenya. I would like to give God all thanks because all this would not be possible without him."
"I expected to pass but not this much. I studied extra hours, especially during my free time. I was performing well in school and that gave me confidence that I will also do well in KCPE," he stated.
Most schools all over the country recorded an improvement in the exams as Magoha promised that all students will be placed in high schools.
