You do not need an A to succeed in life- Prof. Magoha

The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) Chairman, Professor George Magoha has told teachers and parents that students do not need an A grade to be successful in life – his results coming shortly before education CS Matiang’I announced a drastic drop in KCSE 2016 performance.

Speaking passionately about the dangers of giving students underserved grades, Magoha faulted Kenya’s ‘obsession’ with A grades.

“If you think that you need an A to make it in your life then that is the second stupidity that you have to get out of your system,” he said.

Speaking at Shimo la Tewa High School in Mombasa County during the release of KCSE 2016 results, he said that teachers should respect their profession, especially because of the critical role education plays in the country.

“Ask yourselves what we as teachers are doing. If you accept to be a cleaner of a toilet you should clean that toilet so well that it looks cleaner than any other thing”, he said.

Only 15.4 percent (88,929 candidates) out of the 577,079 candidates who sat the KSCE 2016 exam scored between A and C+.