A section of teachers has been angered by the decision to use a hazardous chemical as one of the reagents during this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE, exams. Teachers Manning the Chemistry practical exam castigated the Kenya National Examinations Council, KNEC, for exposing them and candidates to Xylene; a known, poisonous, organic compound. After the Chemistry Practical that was done on Friday November 8, 2019 the teachers could not hide their anger; pouring to social media to condemn the council.
“Ifikie KNEC and TSC ( To KNEC and the Teachers Service Commission; TSC)
Xylene is carcinogenic and very harzadous☢♨🚯🚹🚺
I’m sure most of us here today (on Friday) witnessed the grave danger Chemistry teachers were exposed to during the KCSE Chemistry practical, Kuppet as our voice should not let this opportunity pass, use it to the advantage of science teachers,” wrote one teacher.
Principals have also raised concerns over the inflated cost of the chemical. “I spent close to Sh30,000 on this reagent (Xylene), alone. A litre was trading at Sh10,000 and given that I have 300 candidates (and each candidate required 10ml of the chemical) the school had to buy 3 Litres. What is so special with this reagent!” Wondered a school principal who sought for anonymity.
Of irritating to the Science teachers is also the failure by KNEC to recognize their supportive role in administration of the exams. Whereas other Professionals who are involved in exam administration are remunerated, teachers thronging the exam centres to prepare the exams walk home empty handed. “The Biology practical is slated for this coming Friday. I will spend a cool Sh3,000 to school and back home,” complained one teacher; involved in administration of the KCSE exams.
Back to Xylene
The hazards of xylene are well documented. Breathing xylene vapors in small amounts can cause headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. With more serious exposure, xylene can cause sleepiness, stumbling, irregular heartbeat, fainting, or even death. Xylene vapors are mildly irritating to the skin, eyes, and lungs.
The nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and kidneys are primarily affected by exposure to xylene. Effects due to exposure to Xylene include:
Labored Breathing
Impaired Pulmonary Function
Increased Heart Palpitation
Severe Chest Pain
Accumulation of Fluid in Lungs
Respiratory Depression or Arrest
Ventricular Arrhythmias
Symptoms of Xylene exposure include:
Eye Irritation
Headaches
Dizziness
Fatigue
Tremors
Incoordination
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach Discomfort
Impaired Short-term Memory
Impaired Reaction Time
Alterations in Equilibrium
Anxiety
Inability to Concentrate
Lack of Muscle Coordination
Death
Coma
Impaired Vision
Paralysis
Skin Irritation
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Kisii County produced two candidates in the top 100 national list during the 2019 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE, exams. The top candidate in the county, Griffin Arama Matundura from Elisa Preparatory, managed to score a total of 434 marks to finish at position 23 nationally. The second best candidate in Kisii County was Daniel Mosomi Obaara (from Elimu Academy) who garnered 432 marks.
FOR A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL SCHOOLS IN KENYA CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW;
Kianda School is a prestigious private located in Westlands; Nairobi County. It is a school exclusively for girls
Kianda Foundation opened Kianda School as a result of numerous requests from past students of Kianda College. The Foundation aims at promoting the educational, professional, cultural and spiritual welfare of women in Kenya. It achieves this aim through the establishment and management of schools, colleges, and training centres for both women and girls, thus promoting their general education.
Kianda School is one of the projects of the Foundation. The School started in 1977 with 40 students, and now has a capacity for 900. It is a day school for girls with a Primary and Secondary section. The School has ranked among the top 10 schools in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination. The School fosters a close working relationship between parents, teachers and students. Special courses on parenting enrich this relationship.
Partial Scholarships are granted to academically outstanding children whose parents cannot afford the school fees.In line with the school motto, ‘In Opere et Veritate’ (In deed and truth), Kianda School strives to produce hard working and responsible young ladies who try to achieve excellence in all fields of their development.
The education given at Kianda embraces the three fundamental areas of a person’s development: The intellectual, the spiritual and the human. The spiritual and doctrinal formation of the students and staff is entrusted to Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Catholic Church founded by St. Josemaria Escriva. Its mission is to help people turn their work and daily activities into occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others and for improving society.
To provide an all-round education to girls, in collaboration with their parents and staff, focusing on the development of all dimensions of their personality – intellectual, character, spiritual, talents, physical and social. The education is given in accordance with Christian principles and in an atmosphere of freedom, responsibility and trust. The School aims at enabling students to exercise a positive influence in the service of society.
KIANDA SCHOOL: VISION
To produce exemplary and outstanding 21st century students as we contribute to the development of stable families and qualified staff.
KIANDA SCHOOL: VALUES
Striving for excellence, sense of commitment, hard work, upright moral living, team spirit, concern and care for all, service to others, respect, sincerity, honesty, freedom and responsibility.
KIANDA SCHOOL: ADMISSIONS
Form 1 Application
Application Forms are available only at the School.Before being given an application form the following documents must be presented:
An application letter.
Pre-Mock results and Mock results.
Recommendation letter from Head Teacher.
One recent, certified and colored passport photo of the candidate (preferably in School uniform)
If the application meets initial requirements, an Application Form will be given and a non-refundable Registration fee charged of Ksh 2,000/=. Together with the Application Form, you will receive a letter giving details about the Entrance Test which is is usually in around September.
Application Forms are available only at the School. The form should then be filled in and submitted to the High School Secretary’s Office with all documents.Kianda Entrance Test Should your daughter be successful in the entrance exam (English, Mathematic and Composition are tested) then parents and daughter will be invited for an oral interview. Admission depends on the entrance test and oral interviews. The purpose of the interview process is to help prospective parents get to know the school and the input Kianda expects of the parents of the students who finally join Form 1. Parents will be informed by the Admissions Office of the outcome of the interviews.
Application Procedure for Transfer
Kianda School accepts transfers for Form 1 and 2.
The procedure for transfer is as follows:
Parents write an application letter and attach copies of:
Birth certificate of the girl
1st and 2nd Term reports
A recent passport photograph of the girl (preferably in School uniform).
Registration Fee Kshs. 2,000/-; Applications to be brought in August.
In the 2018 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE, exams Kianda School was ranked 12 in the country and number 4 in Nairobi County. 73 students sat the 2018 KCSE exams. The school’s mean score was 9.22 up from 8.81(B) in 2017. The top girl Elizabeth Wambua scored 81 points. Sharon Olago and Maryanne Fernandes scored A- of 80 points. 71 students scored C+ and above. This is a 97.3% transition rate to university under government sponsorship. The other 2.7% too qualify for government sponsored Diploma Certificates. Congratulations to the parents, staff and students of the Class of 2018.
In the 2019 exams the school had a total candidates’ population of 64
KIANDA SCHOOL: PHOTO GALLERY
Kianda School: Student Life and Times at the school/ Photo view.
