In the U.S the phrase "high stakes testing" is commonly used when referring to standardized tests which measure student performance and determine federal funding or a school's label as "failing". Here in Kenya (as in much of east Africa) the stakes are high, but the students take all of the risk and in turn are burdened with the consequences.
In grade 8 (or standard 8 as it's called here) students take National Exams which determine what high school they will attend. Students from public, private, and international schools around the country are competing for spots at high schools. If students do not perform well on their exam they will attend a low quality school (poor instruction, lack of materials, and overcrowded classes reaching 50 students) or not attend high school at all. A lot rests on one exam, a student's future opportunities. Now that's high stakes.
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