Thomas Aquinas Summa and its Application in the Admission Procedures

Thomas Aquinas perceives justice as fairness and equality of opportunity. Justice to Aquinas is giving each person what is their due, it is a birth right for every human being and denying anybody this fundamental virtue is tantamount to oppression and discrimination. The main purpose of this study was to use Thomas Aquinas' concept of social justice, as fairness and apply it to the admission procedure in form one in provincial secondary schools in Kenya. The study made use of the conceptual analysis methods of philosophy to clarify concepts, principles, ideas and theories and especially the concept of justice and fairness, the historical survey method to trace the provision of education in Kenya since independence to 1997. The main finding of the research was that the majority of students benefitted from the Quota system mode of admission procedure at secondary school level but that the minority were disadvantaged since the system was not based on merit but on the location of the school. Based on the findings, the research recommended the need for equality of opportunity in the provision of education and the liberty to enable the learner to join any secondary school in Kenya.