Residents from Keyian in Transmara West stormed Olereko Mixed Secondary to express their displeasure with the school’s results in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education(KCSE). Benson Mpasa, an Olereko resident, joined locals in the protests. The heavy rains did not stop the parents, who trekked for a long distance as they went to school to protest over what they claimed to be consistent dismal performance in KCSE. Carrying placards, the residents demanded answers, stating that the school principal had overstayed at the institution. “She has overstayed here for more than a decade and we’ve gotten poor results. We’ve gotten a lot of Es, D minus, and what we are asking is for the change,” Darius Kiserema, a resident, said. Benson Mpasa, a resident, questioned how the school was able to attain only a mean grade below average while the best student had a D. “We have gathered for a demonstration. The first student got a D, which includes three students, then a D- has eight students, and E has twelve students. If you try to look at that, it’s a mean score of 1.5. This school should be thoroughly investigated to identify the underlying issue because for the past 12 years, we have never seen good results here.” said Mapasa. What is Olereko good at Joshua Ledama disclosed that when it comes to construction works, they were number one but are at the tail end in academics. Ledama claimed Olerreko had produced many Es, highlighting that the poor results could be traced back to the first candidates in the school. “We are 100% committed to construction, but when it comes to results, we are trailing behind almost the entire country. This school has produced a high number of grade E, and no student will qualify for a technical course. Even the pioneer students who were the first to sit for exams in this school failed, and up to now, they are failing. How can the principal give us a mean score of 1.5?”?” Senior Chief Joseph Ole Nangoris met the parents and listened to the grievances before stating they would rectify the issue. “The Sub-county Director of Education is aware, and they have sent me. They’ve heard about the concerns from Olereko through your communication,”Ole Nangoris said.
by Didacus Malowa