As a pupil steps from one class to the next, slowly and consciously he develops a mental picture of, and a liking for a secondary school to join.
One of the most indisputable influences in the life of a student is the student himself. His undying spirit.
An individual who is passionate in his pursuit, a student who is disciplined, one who works hard to achieve his goal can breach the walls of the environmental/external challenges.
Many students waste a lot of time settling in their new schools because they hate these stations. They long for the day they would transfer to ‘dream schools’ their friends joined. Unfortunately, some of these largely remain pipe dreams.
Of the big number that keeps hoping for a transfer, only a drop in the ocean actually moves. The rest live a lie the entire four years in that ‘bad school’ chasing a mirage.
Like a plant develops roots in the soil and shoots towards light, the pupil’s interests inform his choice of secondary school. Passion and dreams mould his thoughts so intricately that by the time he sits the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations, he is already wired for secondary school life.
This is healthy and motivating. It makes learners to work hard to realise dreams. Perhaps, the motivation could be to join the aviation industry as exemplified by Mang’u High School. On other occasions, it may not be the studies.
It may be about the environment and the support that the school offers especially for one who understands his circumstances. For example, a pupil from a background of poverty, may want to join Starehe Boys for its history of financial support.
The Ministry of Education has allocated the 2019 KCPE Form One places; a few of the learners could be disappointed. What follows is the rush by parents and guardians to search for the dream school. It is expensive on parents and a rat-race that disorganises the ministry.
Such a move may be wrong and should make the parent feel he is applying unnecessary pressure on society. We ought to accept some well-meaning administrative steps as they are.
It is true that the learning environment is a significant contributor to performance of a student. Good teachers, focused and ambitious students, right facilities, even history of a school can boost academic excellence. But that is as far as external influence reaches.
Students, parents and guardians should learn to accept a school. It is commendable that this year, only five percent of the more than one million candidates have been misplaced in the Form One admissions.
It is high time Kenyans realised that the well-known (schools) can also hurt chances of success, appreciating diversity and compromise ability to adapt.
Let the student discover something in the schools they have been admitted to until their desire can yield without taking a toll on their intellectual flight.
Parents and students must be courageous to turn around thoughts of “my choice” into an opportunity to explore life.
It should be an adventure to find oneself in a location, environment unknown, meet strangers and turn them into friends, associates, partners — name it.
They might discover and make new friends that would form part of their life-changing history. Although there are concerns about distance from home or access, the belittled school is an excellent opportunity to know Kenya; its geography and her people.
Who knows, placing learners to schools without hiccups can be one of the most potent tools to unravel the mystery that is corruption and other ills.
The schools should aim at an orientation for the new students to lessen chances of students feeling homesick through, among others, effective guidance and counselling. While junior schools may not have adequate facilities, the school leadership ought to make it possible for the new students to learn with as less effort as possible.
A learner who streamlines desires and designs goals well will complain less and open up to new ventures, otherwise known as success.
Mercella scored 419 marks out of the possible 500 in KCPE, was admitted to a county school not her dream Alliance Girls, a national school. She was admitted to Saint Albert’s Ulanda. She chose to be positive about it. The teachers discovered her will to succeed and supported her drive to achieve.
Upon sitting the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, she scored an ‘A Plain’ with a huge potential to become a surgeon.
In exceptional cases like on health grounds, a student might be compelled to transfer from one school to another. It is appropriate that parents and guardians are aware of a mechanism put in place by the ministry.
You make a formal request through the office of the principal of school of interest. The prospective student should meet the minimum requirements. If successful, his details are uploaded onto the Ministry of Education’s NEMIS, that unique personal identification number. That’s it.
However, there is a need to develop a culture of adjustment and strive for excellence. In those low-ranking schools, encourage a learner to identify opportunities, cling to them and make history.
