National exams add no educational value

Nairobi: When Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi outlawed ranking of national examinations, many thought the move would address the issue of unfair competition between candidates and schools, which leads to cases of cheating.

However, it appears a more radical measure will have to be put in place if meaningful changes are to be witnessed in the education sector.

In any learning process, assessment of students must be done with the view of getting to know their abilities in different areas and in a variety of ways.

However, the current system of subjecting all students to a national exam fails to capture these abilities and the creativity of learners. Instead, our exams test the ability to cram notes and offload them on paper during examinations. Recently, Prof Kaimenyi attributed rising cases of arson to numerous tests administered in schools. This made him reinforce an existing policy that had banned mock exams in schools. Indeed, the fear of failure turns these exams into a do or die affair.

Those who get frustrated by an unfriendly education system that insists on meritocracy at whatever cost may give up on life and engage in wasteful and criminal activities.

National exams should be abolished because they add no educational value.