By Silah Koskei
NAIROBI, KENYA: She sat for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Examinations (KCPE) last year and managed to get 425 marks but despite her sterling performance she has not secured a place in any national school.
Pauline Muhonja Senelwa, 13, living in Eldoret with her parents says she is frustrated after failing to get placement not only in her dream schools but any other after eight years of hardwork at Booker academy in Mumias where she sat her KCPE.
Speaking to The Standard at her Eldoret home yesterday, she said her expectations were dashed after failing to receive a confirmation from the school of her choice.
“After selecting Moi Girls Eldoret, Kenya High and Starehe Girls as my top national schools of choice, I knew I would get a place in either but to my surprise I never got any notification,” she said.
Muhonja expressed resentment at the Ministry of Education saying her hopes of becoming an oncologist and majoring in the field of treating cancer patients had started fading.
“It is disappointing to work hard expecting smooth transition to secondary school only to miss a chance due to unexplained circumstances yet the government says that all students have a right to education,” stated the evidently bright and confident student.
She revealed she has been making numerous visits to the schools of her choice but the administration has been adamant to provide the way forward in solving the issue.
Her father, Professor Kingiri Senelwa who is a lecturer at University of Eldoret, wondered why the Ministry edged out his daughter out of form one national placement despite sitting for her exam and performing well.
He added that Pauline’s results were a shocker to the family which had expected marks below 420.
“She passed her exams beyond our expectations and our excitement saw us donate a bull to the school to celebrate her achievements, little did we know that our happiness will be short-lived,” he said.
Kingiri stated her daughter’s performance ought to earn her a place at any national school and not replacement. He claimed most officials have been rooting for the second selection despite her impressive marks.
He described her second born daughter as a bright, disciplined and active member in co- curricular activities adding that he had vowed to ensure she paid all her fees to ensure she scaled all heights in education.
