EDUCATION

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Is your child a slow learner? Here is the solution »» Page 2

Students to know varsity courses in July

Shedding light on TTCs, TVETS and Other Colleges

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East African marine school opened in Kisumu

Bill seeks to give primary schools learners free milk »» Page 3

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STORY PAGE 6

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Suspension of tutors cripples Adult schools »» Page 39

PS: Each County to get National Poly »» Page 23

Teachers Service Commission CEO, Nancy Macharia with TSC Director of Staffing, Rita Wahome during Kenya Teachers Colleges Principals Association Conference at Travellers Beach Resort in Mombasa on August 20,2019. File/Photo

PRINCIPALS RAISE BURNING ISSUES AT REGIONAL KESSHA CONFERENCES

»» Pages 26,27 & 32

PE now compulsory and examinable subject

By Staff Reporter Physical Education (PE) will now be a mandatory subject in both primary and secondary schools as

part of the ongoing government’s curriculum reforms.

The order was contained in a policy titled The Physical Education and Sport Policy for Basic Educa-

tion, launched on June 9, 2021 by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof.

George Magoha at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

It is meant to provide learners with knowledge, skills, values and positive attitudes through physical and sport for healthy lifestyle and lifelong learning.

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Johnstone Nzioka, KEPSHA National Chairman.

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School that caters for slow learners

They could be eight of them in class but you could be having eight classes in one because each child is at different level and you have got to plan for them at their level - Muchiri.

By Roy Hezron

Some children have problems in only one select academic area, while others may experience difficulties in all the three.

Some common oral reading problems associated with slow leaners and majorly include omission of words or group of words.

There are also cases of learners inserting one or more words into sentence being read orally, replacing one or more words in the passage by one or more meaningful words and gross mispronunciation of a word.

Others include hesitation where students take two or more seconds before pronouncing a word, inver-

correct and apparently random.

On written expression, the slow learning students mostly are associated with handwriting difficulties (Dysgraphia), Spelling problems (Dysorthographia).

Though being a poor speller does not necessarily mean that a child has a learning disorder, there is reason for concern when poor spelling occurs with poor reading and, or arithmetic.

Kenya Community Centre for Learning (KCCL) is a community school located in Nairobi County which provides alternative education for students aged between 6-21

When results for any national examination are announced in the country much attention is drawn to learners that have scored higher marks.

Little attention is given to those candidates who scored below 99 marks for case of KCPE and grade E in KCSE. Some of those students are labelled failures who dragged the school subject mean score down by some subject teachers and institutional heads.

Those students are blamed despite the fact some of those learners have learning disabilities and are commonly known as slow learners.

Some of them do not have physical disability while others are living with other disabilities, but all have similar learning problems.

Conditions associated with slow learning include Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Communication Disorders and Downs Syndrome.

Others are Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and other Development Disorders, a condition Kenya Community Centre for Learning (KCCL) students which makes them to often struggle preparing for outdoor activities after lunch break. Photo/Roy with various areas of academic per- Hezron formance.

These students seem to have strengths similar to their peers in sion where student changes the years with diverse learning chalseveral areas, but their rate of learn- order of words appearing in a sen- lenges typically known as the slow ing is unexpectedly slower, a prob- tence, and disregard of punctuation. learners.

Mathematically, these learners Founded in 2001 by a belem which usually persists from primary schools to the end of formal are characterized by incorrect opera- nevolent American lady, Astrid tions and number fact, incorrect al- Robertson, KCCL provides a cusschooling including college.

Academic deficits for children gorithm where the procedures used tomized British Curriculum with with learning disabilities normally by the student to solve the problem programmes designed to suit the fall into reading, mathematics, and are inappropriate and random errors educational needs of learners. where the student’s response is inIt has both Primary and Secondwritten expression.

ary units which provide assessment for educational placement as well as therapy Esther Muchiri, KCCL School Principal services.

The school during the interview. Photo/Roy Hezron was borne out of a desperate need by parents of special bodies needs children to proUpon admission, the school carvide alternative education options for their children who could not ries out an assessment of the child find accommodation in mainstream to determine the level of learning disability they have and generally to schools.

School Principal Esther Muchiri establish the baseline of the learner.

The next one month helps the recently told Education News that majority of the students in the school teachers to understand the learner are slow learners with learning dis- not only academically but socially ability majority are being brought and emotionally.

Thereafter they come up with from the mainstream schools.

“About 90 per cent of our stu- an individual education plan which dents begin in mainstream schools is designed in collaboration with the or regular schools, but the going parent of the learner, teachers and there is very tough for them because therapists.

That helps in mapping up the of lack of support systems and that’s how they end up here,” explained academic journey of the child depending on the level of disability.

Muchiri.

Once this children gets to class, They offer learners activity based learning just like Competency they realize that in most cases it is Based Curriculum with the mode of not a homogeneous class because assessment being activities that are they have varied needs.

“They could be eight of them in documented in various forms like class but you could be having eight photos, videos and audios.

“The overall goal is to build classes in one because each child is independent skills for indepen- at a different level and you have got dent living, for instance they will plan for them at their level,” clariget money skills, time skills,” said fied Muchiri.

She called upon teachers in Muchiri. regular schools not discriminate the She said even if they will not be able to read the watch, they will slow learners since it is disability need to have general information which is hidden.

Muchiri said every school about time like morning, afternoon or evening, measurement, commu- should have a trained special needs nication and functional skills like teacher to advise on the learners grooming and understanding their needs.

Child headed homes produce top KCSE student

By Erick Nyayiera Child headed homesteads are a common phenomenon in most rural parts of Nyanza region.

In many cases, both parents either succumb to illness or poverty related reasons thereby forcing the elder children to care for their young siblings.

The ravages of HIV and Aids scourge in the region catapulted the existence of the Child Headed Families (CHF) especially along the Lake Victoria basin.

The unfortunate cases led to an increase of school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, child labour and child involvement in drugs and substance abuse.

Siaya County for instance has a high secondary school dropout rate of 11.6 compared to 9.5 for Nyanza province and 6.6 nationally.

The high dropout rate may be as a result of socio-economic factors such as poverty, early marriages, and health status of parents as well as of children.

A new study has revealed that 33% of girls aged between 15 and 19 years in Homa Bay County are either mothers or are expectant.

A study called Unintended Pregnancies and HIV among Adolescents and Young People, a situation analysis of Homa Bay County gives a grim picture of the situation across the region.

We caught up with 18-year-old Chris Paul Onyango, a 2020 KCSE candidate who scored an A- of 74 points.

Onyago who aspires to be a medical doctor is a total orphan who lost the parents years ago and has been struggling with the delicate balance of caring for his five younger siblings and studying.

Despite all the challenges, he was the top student at Bondo Township Secondary School.

“I managed this through the help of my teachers and relatives who devoted their time and resources,” said Onyango.

It is a dream come true to him and he thanks God for see-

ing through his secondary school education notwithstanding the challenges he faced.

He worked at hard to fend for his younger siblings so that they could not go begging for food and help throughout his schooling.

Onyango only managed to get

Chris Paul Onyango at home with some of his siblings.

He has been managing their home after the parents died.

Photo/Erick Nyayiera

294 marks at Bar- Kawaga Primary School in the KCPE examinations but his determination for a better future kept him working hard with dedication.

He remembers instances when they would go without food and weather the storms of illnesses.

“I was admitted without any fees when I joined Form 1 on the 16th January 2017 at Ratta Secondary School in Seme because I went there with nothing in my hands and I was crying before the Principal called me and listened to my story,” he remembers.

He was allowed to study in school and the Principal also bought him all the basic requirements, a gesture Onyango says was unbelievable.

The Principal Benson Moses Okoth navigated his ways and linked him with the Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang Nyongo’ who would assist in paying his fees at Ratta Secondary.

He later transferred to Bondo Township Secondary when the

Principal got a transfer to the new school.

“I had to follow the Principal wherever he went, because he was my only hope who had supported me and my family all along,” he said.

Okoth also linked him with an organisation known as UNBOUND that also helped pay part of his secondary education.

Okoth is proud of the boy: “We have walked together with the boy in this journey. When I first knew him, he was homeless in his native land, after the death of the parents.”

He said his uncles brought their house down and sold the piece of land so that he could collect his siblings and go to their maternal home.

The Principal said he was able to help the boy feel comfortable in school and helped rent a house for him during the exam period as he sorted out how the other siblings would be integrated at their maternal home.

The National Government shall in consultation with County Governments and, in a bid to increase school enrolment and to ensure the nutritional wellbeing of learners, provide milk to learners enrolled in pre-primary and primary schools - reads the bill.

Bill seeks to give primary schools learners free milk

By Our Reporter A Bill tabled in the Senate seeks to provide free milk to all pre-primary and primary school going pupils in the country.

The Bill that will soon be tabled in the Senate for a second reading by Senator Beatrice Kwamboka says the free school milk will improve the nutrition.

The Basic Education (Amendment) Bill was read for the first time in the Senate on May 11, 2021.

vate school PPCs had enrolled about 821, 897 pupils whereby 416, 934 pupils were in PP1 while 404, 963 pupils were in PP2.

On the other hand, a total of about 10,072,040 leaners were in about 32,344 Primary Schools countrywide, with Bungoma, Kakamega, Nairobi and Nakuru counties having the highest enrollment of over 400, 000 leaners as per 2019.

Public Primary Schools had the highest number of enrollment of 8,454,606 leaners in 23,286

Pupils of County Primary Schools in Embu town drink milk distributed to them during the launch of Embu County School Milk programme. The National Government plans to offer free milk to schools. File/Photo It is currently under the Senate Standing Committee on Education which invited the public between May 13 and May 28, 2021 to give their views before tabling of the final document for the second reading.

“The National Government shall in consultation with County Governments and, in a bid to increase school enrolment and to ensure the nutritional wellbeing of learners, provide milk to learners enrolled in pre-primary and primary schools,” reads the bill.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Education by 2019, there were about 2, 738, 587 pupils in 46,530 Pre-Primary Centres (PPC) both public and private countrywide who included 1, 365, 296 pupils in PP1 and 1, 373, 291 in PP2.

Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Nakuru and Turkana counties had the highest enrolment of over 100, 000 pupils countrywide.

Public Pre-Primary Schools have the highest enrolment of about 1, 916, 690 pupils in 28,383 PPCs of which 948, 362 pupils were in PP1 while 968, 328 pupils were in PP2 as per 2019 statistics from Ministry of Education.

In the same year, 18,147 pri-

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schools while Private Primary Schools had 1,617,434 leaners in 9,058 schools.

“School milk programmes not only positively contribute to the growth of the dairy sector, but they also improve nutrition and increase school attendance,” noted Senator Kwamboka in the bill’s object statement.

Kenya Primary Schools’ Heads Association (KEPSHA) National Chairman Johnson Nzioka who is also head teacher Donholm

Anything which assists the children and especially those from poor families will be most welcome, and I think milk is a good way of enhancing nutrition of the children, so I am whole heartedly welcome to the idea.

- Nzioka.

Primary in Nairobi supported the move, adding that the programme will be of help to learners notably those from poor backgrounds.

“Anything which assists the children and especially those from poor families will be most welcome, and I think milk is a good way of enhancing nutrition of the children, so I would be wholeheartedly welcome to the idea,” said Nzioka.

If Senators pass the bill, the County Directors of Education will be mandated to supply the milk in their respective counties and also guarantee farmers market for their milk products.

“The schools taking part in the programme provide a guaranteed market for milk for smallholder farmers, who produce about 80 percent of Kenyan milk,” added Senator Kwamboka.

The free school milk programme, popularly known to many as ‘Maziwa ya Nyayo’, was introduced by the late President Daniel arap Moi in the 1980s until around 1992.

The milk came in triangular packets and mostly distributed to pupils at lunchtime, and the milk was distributed once or twice a week depending on the school.

The tactic worked brilliantly in promoting education between 1980s and early 1990s where pupils would go to school not because of thirst for knowledge but for ‘Maziwa ya Nyayo’, and in the process get education.

It was reported that within the first year of the launch of Nyayo milk, pupil registration, especially in rural areas rose by more than 23 per cent.

The programme introduced

by Moi was later cancelled after it proved too costly and unsustainable for successive governments.

“The Cabinet Secretary may, by regulation, prescribe the criteria for the supply of milk to schools and the implementation of other school feeding programmes,” reads the bill.

Speaking to Education News recently, Chairman Kenya National Parents Association Nicholas Maiyo supported the bill adding that it will improve enrolment in schools and nutrition of school going leaners.

But he also urged the government to streamline its distribution to reach arid and semi-arid areas and other inaccessible places.

“During the administering of national examination, the government uses choppers to distribute papers to inaccessible areas, it can also use the same during distribution of milk to ensure all leaners benefit,” said Maiyo.

PE now compulsory and examinable

By Staff Reporter Physical Education (PE) will now be a mandatory subject in both primary and secondary schools as part of the ongoing government’s curriculum reforms.

The order was contained in a policy titled The Physical Education and Sport Policy for Basic Education, launched on June 9, 2021

by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

It is meant to provide learners with knowledge, skills, values and positive attitudes through physical and sport for healthy lifestyle and lifelong learning.

“It is important to note that all the seven core competencies in CBC are achievable through phys-

secondary schools will be required to have sports clubs and committees to manage the teaching of physical education.

They will have trained teachers to teach the subject and also be retrained regularly since the subject will be compulsory in both primary and secondary schools.

“Research indicates that active participation in quality physical education and sport instils a positive attitude towards physical activity, hence decreasing the chances of young people engaging in risky behaviour,” noted Prof. Magoha.

He added that “Physical education and sport impact positively on academic performance, while providing a platform for wider social inclusion.”

Although physical education

Form One students in a Physical Education session.

ical and sport, which will play a key role in producing an engaged, empowered and ethical citizen through nurturing every learner’s potential,” noted Prof. Magoha.

There are three major courses of action in the CBC at the Senior Secondary School Level which are the Arts and Sports Science, Social Sciences and Science Technical Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The new policy will guide the government and other education stakeholders to operationalize the Arts and Sports Science pathway in basic education learning institutions.

“For a long time, the Government has considered this pathway the untapped learning area in our country,” stated Prof. Magoha.

The policy will enhance access, equity and inclusion in physical education and sport for all learners.

It will also provide age-appropriate disciplines to nurture learner’s talents and strengthen governance, accountability and integrity in physical education and sport.

The policy will also enhance capacity for teachers or facilitators and managers of physical education and sport, promote traditional sports and games to embrace cultural diversity and also promote peaceful co-existence and social integration through physical education and sport.

“This, therefore, implies that moving forward, all primary and

is currently taught in schools, it is taken casually by learners and teachers because it is elective, nonexaminable and rarely enforced.

Despite the fact that the subject is timetabled, its slot is usually taken up by teachers eager to complete their syllabi for the examinable subjects and quality assurance officers rarely show any interest in it during their frequent visits to schools.

“I therefore call upon all of us and our learning institutions, to ensure physical education and sports are given priority in their daily learning activities,” emphasized Prof. Magoha.

Kenya Primary Schools’ Heads Association (KEPSHA) National Chairman Johnson Nzioka who is also head teacher Donholm Primary in Nairobi stated that public primary schools are ready to implement the policy since it’s not a new policy to them and that fields are available.

“Public schools are ready because what they need is only the field so there will be no challenge,” said Nzioka.

However, the policy might face a number of challenges in implementing it since at the moment, many schools do not have the facilities and infrastructure like playgrounds, equipment, and qualified trainers.

During promotion, PE teachers are often overlooked since it’s hard to demonstrate their ability in a subject that is not examinable.

EDUCATION NEWS

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Students to know varsity courses in July tiary institutions to pursue career of choice.

There are 331,045 vacancies for new students in Technical and TVET institutions and 160,160 spaces for government-sponsored students in both public and private universities.

According to 2020 KCSE results, a total of 143, 140 students scored grade C+ and above which is a direct university entry under the government sponsorship.

Courses which are expected to be more competitive during placement by this cohort include Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery offered at UoN, KU, JKUAT and Moi universities.

Others include Architecture, Dental Surgery, Civil Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Pharmacy, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Computer Science which are offered at UoN, JKUAT, TUK, MKU and Egerton University.

During the 2020/2021 placement Agnes Mercy Wahome, which was released in KUCCPS CEO. June 2020, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery offered at UoN had the highest Prof. Magoha assured all the number of those admitted, while the 747,161 students who did their rest of the most competitive courses 2020 Kenya Certificate of Second- had admissions of between 25 and ary Education (KCSE) that they 70 students. will all be placed into various terA total of 604, 021 students

scored below C+ and who will be placed in various TVET institutions and middle level colleges.

According to CPS International Research report released last year titled ‘State of Graduate Employability in Kenya’, which was carried out for a period of three months from November 2019 to January 2020, UoN and KU are the universities with graduate employability.

This refers to the ability of an individual to obtain and maintain employment as a result of not only acquiring knowledge, skills and competencies but also personal values and social networks.

The study revealed that graduates from UoN (38.6 per cent), KU (30 per cent), Moi (25.1 per cent) and JKUAT (19.8 per cent) had the highest number of most employable graduates.

Egerton University (18.3 per cent), Maseno University (18.1 per cent), Mount Kenya University (17.1 per cent), Technical University of Kenya (10.2 per cent), Masinde Muliro University (6.9 per cent) and finally USIU (6.2 per cent) at the tenth position.

An analysis relating to the educational fields in which most employed graduates are recruited from, the study showed that 46.7 per cent of the graduates were from Business and Economic studies, 11.1 percent of graduates were from Engineering.

A total of 8.9 percent of the graduates were from Medical Studies, 6.7 percent of the graduates from ICT and Natural Sciences, 4.4 percent of graduates were from Art and Design and 2.2 percent were from law, humanities and other courses.

Inadequate budget challenge for adult education

the ACE programme make it extremely difficult to program operations jointly,” he added.

Most of the ACE learning centres do not operate as independent premises unlike other institutions like primary and secondary schools.

According to the latest statistics from the directorate, there are 6,173 Basic ACE centres, 202 Secondary ACE, 5 Multi-Purpose Development Training Institutes (MDTIs), and 217 Community Learning Resource Centres (CLRCs) which are also inadequately and ill-equipped, and understaffed.

“There is low awareness of the existence of Adult and Continuing Education programme,” explained Nyabwari.

He attributed that to low visibility of the programme on the ground due to sparse distribution of the centres occasioned by inadequate staff.

There is also stigma of illiteracy which has an effect on implementation of ACE Programmes.

Despite the challenges, the directorate in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum (KICD) has managed to developed the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Curriculum I, II and III which is finalized and is expected to address the needs of the adult and youth learners.

By Roy Hezron Kenya University and College Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has started the first revision of course choices for placement of students to colleges.

The exercise will be for students who sat the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams whose results were released recently by Education CS Prof George Magoha.

Competition is expected to be stiff in science course as students revise their degree, diploma, artisan and craft courses in top universities, colleges and TVET institutions.

Speaking during the launch at the Joseph Kangethe Primary School Magoha stated that students will know the universities and colleges they have been selected to by the end of July year.

“This will enable our higher education institutions to admit the students in the new academic year beginning September 2021.

The students and their parents will also have ample time to prepare adequately,” said Prof.

Magoha.

As in past cases, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) programmes will be up for grab by 2020 top KCSE performers notably those with A grades.

The four premier public colleges, University of Nairobi (UoN), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenyatta University (KU) and Moi University (MU) will take most of the top students.

Out of 630 students who scored

By Staff Reporter Inadequate funding, low staff and poor infrastructure are some of the key challenges affecting effective provision of Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) programmes in the country.

Emphasis on regular basic education as opposed to ACE and special needs areas are blamed for the situation.

The fully government sponsored programme is run by the Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education.

It has only 1, 845 full time instructors and 3, 000 part-time instructors who teach a total of 306, 228 learners, 102,076 of them male and 204,152 female countrywide.

Due to inadequate teaching and learning materials, the instructors and students are forced to use their own money to purchase stationery and other learning materials, which in turn discourages prospective learners.

According to the outgoing Director of ACE Kinara Nyabwari, the shortage of staff runs across all levels of the directorate which

grade A plain in the 2019 KCSE, UoN got the lion’s share of 313 students, followed by JKUAT with 117 students, KU with 64 students, and MU with 53 students.

Egerton University and Technical University of Kenya (TUK) each received 26 and 17 students respectively during the placement, while Maseno got 10, Mount Kenya University eight and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) six.

According to placement data by KUCCPS,

out of 122,831 applicants placed in degree programmes, 66,661 (54.27 per cent) joined Stem programmes in the 2020/2021 exercise.

South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) received three, Rongo and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology two each while the remaining were

makes it difficult to effectively implement policies regarding the adult education.

“There is a shortage of staff at all levels of the Directorate, including teaching staff, officers at the Sub- County level and support staff,” said Nyabwari.

Nyabwari said the programme receives less than 1 per cent of the total national education budget which has inevitably yielded poor results in implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

distributed to other universities.

A total of 893 students scored grade A plain, 589 of the boys and 304 girls in the 2020 KCSE will be scrambling to get chances in the country’s premier universities for Stem courses.

According to placement data

by KUCCPS, out of 122,831 applicants placed in degree programmes, 66,661 (54.27 per cent) joined Stem programmes in the 2020/2021 exercise.

“There is need to put in place sustainable financial investment strategies to enhance participation, expand access, promote equity and improve quality of ACE programmes,” he added.

Cost sharing has made the programme unpopular in the light of Free Primary Education (FPE) and Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) Programmes.

“In order to attract access, retention and quality ACE, there is need to have budgetary provision

Adult Education learners show their certifactes during International Day celebrations held in Malindi town recently. Photo/Tsozungu Kombe

for the purchase of Teaching / learning materials to ease the burden on learners,” said Nyabwari.

Nyabwari further stated that there is also need to start induction programme for Quality Assurance and Standard Officers (QASOs), so that they can have better understanding of ACE. S There is limited coordination between the Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education (DACE) and Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards (DQASO) on supervision of ACE, which compromise the quality of ACE programme.

The Directorate has only 10 vehicles serving both headquarters and 47 counties with a few motorbikes which are currently being used by field officers in selected counties.

Most counties are inaccessible due to poor terrain which is not suitable for motorbike use.

“One vehicle per sub-county is not sufficient to serve programmes of Primary, Secondary, Quality Assurance & Standards and Adult and Continuing Education at the same time. The Flaxy operating time for

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

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EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Kisumu Boys posts best ever results in KCSE

By Our Reporter

K

isumu Boys High School posted one of its best ever results in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary School examinations.

According to the Principal, Mr Peter Obwogo the school posted a mean score of 7.6 and came third after Maseno School and Chemelil Sugar Academy which emerged tops in Kisumu County in the 2020 KCSE examinations.

Obwogo attributes the school’s superb performance to hard work and dedication among teachers and support staff together with parents.

He says 65% of the candidates managed to attain the minimum university entry requirements.

The Principal says the school, with a student population of 1,800, is one of the oldest learning institutions in Kisumu County. It was started in 1948 by local Asians.

Obwogo says that the school has some of the best physical facilities and amenities in Kisumu County.

“Our school has indeed become immensely popular in the recent past, with many parents and pupils from other schools seeking admission even in the

Principal Peter Obwogo. middle of the year,” he said.

It has 24 classrooms and well equipped laboratories, 3 workshops and eight playing pitches.

Obwogo, however, said the classrooms are not enough and some students are still taught under trees. The school also faces a major shortage of teachers’ houses.

He says that they have managed to renovate the school swimming pool at a cost of Sh 2 million after it had stalled for over 30 years. A number of popular Kenyans who have thrived in different sectors passed through Kisumu Boys school.

Some famous individuals in the country who attended Kisu-

mu Boys include Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East constituency.

Owino attended Kisumu Boys High School and got an A- in his KCSE exams. Shakeel Shabbir the Kisumu East legislator was a student at the school where he undertook his O-level education. John Olago Aluoch who is the current Kisumu West legislator also attended the prestigious school for his secondary education.

Others are Eric Omondi, one of the famous comedians in the country. He attended Kisumu Boys High School before joining Daystar University. Fred Omondi, Eric’s younger brother also attended the school. Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma also attended the same school alongside lawyers James Mwamu and Dave Otieno.

Businessmen Ketan Somaia and Kamlesh Pattni also went there alongside former soccer international Hamisi Shamba and the current chairman of Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company Vinod Patel. Former Nyando Member of Parliament Clarkson Otieno Karan also attended the school. Former Kisumu Town West MP Ken Nyagudi also attended the school. The school has produced some of the best hockey players in the country such as Emmanuel Oduol who

Kisumu West MP John Olago Aluoch cutting the tape during the official opening of one of the school projects. was the Kenya hockey goalkeeper at the 1984 Olympics.

Other old boys of the school are leading surgeon in Kisumu, Dr Otieno Obondi, Sanjay Mandavia, Birrre Chathe, Sunil Shah,Vinod Patel, Jiten Pabari, Jayesh Patel, Hayer Singh, Ashok Shah, Fuad Abdul, Manjeet Sembi, Ashraf Mitha, Mehboud Manji, Jalaludin Jamal,

65% of the candidates managed to attain the minimum university entry requirements.

Obwogo attributes the school’s superb performance to hard work and dedication among teachers and support staff together with parents.

Kisumu Boys high school alumni.

The school field.

Some of the classrooms.

Lalit Sodha, Mike Gudka, Antony Ogutu, Mlekio Oketch, Nerry Achar, George Olwal and Raki Bhamra The school has a maintenance unit, which ensures that all the physical facilities are in order. A senior member of staff in liaison with the school administration ensures that regular checkup of the facilities is made and any damages repaired.

The laboratories and workshops are well equipped at least by the Kenyan standards. For example the Biology Department has microscopes, a film projector and other basic instructional equipment.

Unfortunately some students still learn under trees due to lack of enough classrooms to accommodate them. Kisumu Central Member of Parliament Fred Ouda has assisted the Kisumu Boys High school in a number of ways.

Obwogo says that the MP has funded one classroom at the school and also brought 45 chairs and 10 lockers through the constituency development fund.

He adds that the institution still requires more facilities and Obwogo commends Ouda for the gesture.

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EDUCATION NEWS

Anxiety as TSC staff sent on leave Anxiety has gripped the commission with staff speaking in low tones unsure who follows next in the unfolding environment.

By Our Reporter

A climate of anxiety has hit the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) headquarters and field offices following drastic changes that saw a shake-up of senior officials serving at the influential teacher management department.

In an unprecedented developments, Rita Wahome, the Director of Staffing who was widely seen as the darling of the Commission boss, Nancy Macharia was sent on compulsory leave under unclear circumstances along with the Deputy Director in Charge of Performance Contracting George Okinda.

Also affected in the reshuffle is Dorothy Chonji, the Deputy Director in charge of Secondary schools who has been moved to the less glamorous ICT section in the Administration Department.

There were speculations at the commission that one of the two officers sent on compulsory leave had handed in a resignation letter.

The Education News has learnt that Antonina Lentoijoni, the Deputy Director in charge of tertiary institutions has taken over from Wahome in an acting capacity.

Lentoijoni is one of the longest serving officers within the staffing department.

Anxiety has gripped the commission with staff speaking in low tones unsure who follows next in the unfolding environment.

It was not immediately clear what occasioned the unprecedented changes, but those in the know linked the decisions to how the recent recruitment and promotion of teachers was conducted. The transfer of school heads conducted in

By Our Reporter

L-R: Kericho County Governor Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony, TSC Director Staffing, Rita Wahome and then TSC Kericho County Director Rosemary Sokotian at a previous function at Moi Tea Girls in Kericho. File/Photo

May this year also sparked a huge storm.

In September last year, TSC employed over 5,000 teachers and deployed them to various public primary and secondary schools around the country.

At the same time, the Commission promoted 16,000 teachers following interviews carried out in December 2020 and February this year.

There were protests by the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) over the manner in which the transfer of principals was conducted.

They said that some Chief Prin-

cipals who are expected to serve in National and Extra-County schools were moved to County schools which went against the norm, an issue TSC promised to address.

When contacted to shed light on the changes, the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nancy Macharia denied reports that some officers had been sent on leave and demanded to know who was fueling the rumours.

In a text message she wrote “We are not aware of any official being sent on suspension on the matters that you have asked.”

She added: “Could you tell us where you got the information from

so that we look at it because TSC has not suspended any official.”

Rita, a former Nguviu Girls High School Principal who later rose to become the TSC County Director for Nyeri joined the Commission headquarters in mid-2018.

She replaced Mary Rotich who had been acting in the position for several years following the elevation of Macharia to the topmost position in the organisation.

It was widely expected at the time that Rotich who had worked closely with Macharia for long and was as her faithful deputy would have been confirmed in the position.

She was, however, not confirmed but was instead deployed to a relatively less visible portfolio dubbed Director of Field Services.

Rotich headed the Teacher Management Department under the tenure of former TSC CEO Gabriel Lengoiboni.

The Teacher Management Department is at the core of TSC functions and whoever is assigned to take charge of that docket holds sweeping powers that are the lifeline of teaching service.

The job involves among others recruitment of teachers, their deployment, transfers and promotion of the educators as well as inservice training of the tutors.

This is not the first time that senior employees of the Commission have left the organisation in frustration.

Last year, for instance, Josephine Maundu, a longtime Head of Human Resource Management and Development left in a huff and took the option of an early retirement due to what insiders termed interference with her work.

Later, the Head of Corporate Communications, Kihumba Kamotho, then considered an able staffer by the TSC boss, was transferred to an office in the Quality Assurance section.

He was later moved to Baringo County to be assigned some unknown duties and Kamotho later passed on.

His successor at the Corporate Communications office, Beatrice Wababu resigned barely two years after assuming the job. She is said to have quit her work due to alleged frustrations.

TSC reshuffles field officers again

About 13 counties were affected in the recent changes of its field staff by TSC after some county directors were swapped and a few deputies promoted.

Those affected by the changes include Laikipia County Director Loice Murei who been has been moved to Vihiga to replace Irene Njogu who retired early this year.

Isiolo TSC boss Alex Cheruiyot is now in Makueni to replace Catherine Mwenda who has been moved to Murang’a in the same capacity.

She replaced Nimrod Kimathi who has moved from Murang’a to Alex Cheruiyot moved from Laikipia, while respected education- Loise Murei, Laikipia TSC Isiolo to Makueni. ist Adan Ibrahim has been relocated Director moved to Vihiga. to Garissa from Bungoma as the director. was promoted to Regional Director, iyot Lagat who has retired.

Ibrahim takes over from Andrew Western.

The changes come less than one Mwanthi who has been transferred to The Deputy Director in Kericho year after TSC carried out another reUasin Gishu to replace Jane Kaguda Jackson Ongeto who has been acting shuffle of its field officers which saw who has retired. as County Director has been moved some officers being swapped while In Bungoma, Ibrahim’s Deputy to Murang’a in a similar capacity. others were promoted.

Japheth Kariuki has been promoted Tharaka Nithi Deputy County In the previous reshuffles, Lilto full County Director and retained Director, Thuo Wachira has been ian Wachira, the immediate former in the same station. promoted and moved to Isiolo as Kericho TSC County Director was Grace Mwangi, who has been new County Director. promoted and transferred to Western the Deputy County Director in In Kirinyaga, the Deputy Coun- and is currently the new Regional Baringo has been promoted to full ty Director Lewis Mutegi has been Director (RD).

County Director and posted to Keri- promoted to County Director and She replaced Laban Onono who cho to replace Lilian Wachira who moved to Turkana to replace Cheru- was transferred to Eastern as Re-

Ibrahim Adan, moved from Bungoma to Garissa. gional Director to replace Daniel Cherutoi who retired.

County Directors play a major role as per the Commission structure since they identify staffing gaps in schools within the county.

They also appoint and deploy primary school heads, in liaison with the Regional Coordinator and also appoint school principals and other administrators among other roles.

Mrs Catherine Mwenda, Makueni County TSC Director moved to Murang’a.

Nimrod Kimathi, Murang’a TSC Director moved to Laikipia.

EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

7

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

In the 2020 KCSE results, the school managed a mean of 8.2, an improvement index of 1.6 from the 2019 results where it posted a mean of 6.59.

Nyamira Girls High School is also doing pretty well in sporting activities. Hockey team has always made it to the National competitions including Music festivals and Drama among other co-curricular activities.

Principal Mrs. Jesca Ambasa of Nyamira Girls.

Jubilant students celebrating the good 2020 KCSE results.

Mrs. Beatrice Oketch, Deputy Principal in charge of Discipline and Administration.

Mr Raphael Mugesia, Deputy Principal in charge of Academics.

By Erick Nyayiera

N

yamira Girls High School in Bondo, Siaya County emerged one of the top performing secondary schools in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) after registering tremendous improvement.

In the 2020 KCSE results, the school managed a mean of 8.2, an improvement index of 1.6 from the 2019 results where it posted a mean of 6.59.

The results saw Nyamira Girls bagged position three in Siaya County, 18 in Nyanza region and 91 overall in Kenya.

More positively, the school was able to send 279 students out of the 300 candidates to the universities with the remaining 21 students qualifying for Diploma courses in Medical Training Colleges, Teacher Training Colleges and Technical Training

Nyamira Girls improves in 2020 KCSE Institutes to pursue other marketable courses.

Principal Mrs. Jesca Ambasa is satisfied with the good showing stating that it was encouraging and well deserved. “We are grateful to God that we were able to produce these remarkable results. Sending 279 girls to the universities is no mean achievement especially with the challenging times we had with the Covid-19 interruptions.”

The school produced A- (13), B+ (37), B (74), B- (81), C+ (74), C (17) and C- (4). There was no wastage as the school had no Grade below C-.

She attributed the exemplary results to the hard work and determination of her teachers including the high discipline levels of the girls.

“Our 2020 cohort was a confident class that had shown all indications of improvement which gave us easy time dealing with them, syllabus coverage was completed in record time that necessitated re-teaching,” said Mrs. Ambasa.

The Principal has given the deputies a free hand in their responsibilities and has delegated duties making the school programs

The classrooms.

flow in an organised manner.

Deputy Principal in charge of Discipline and Administration Mrs. Beatrice Oketch notes of very rich programs initiated in the school that has ensured high standards of discipline. “Nyamira Girls boasts of the ‘‘best disciplined school tag’’ in the country, this is thanks to an array of well thought out initiatives adopted by the school meant to enrich the character of girls resultantly making them improve in academics.” said Mrs. Oketch.

Oketch continued “We handle discipline cases well; here everyone is involved in shaping the character of the learner from the students themselves, support staff to the teachers. We have a very functional student council, strong empowered guidance and counseling department that has always gone all the way to address learner’s individual challenges.”

The Deputy Principal observed that their preventive/hands on approach in managing the discipline of the girls has the component of accurate and timely information flow system that makes issues get proper attention to curb any possible breach of order.

Key among the significant programs includes the “Girl Child Assembly” conducted every Saturday to audit the discipline performance. In the session, only the female teachers are allowed led by the Principal, the Deputy Principal in charge of Discipline and Administration and the female teachers counseling department.

“The Girl Child Assembly allows us to get the girls to share their challenges, most of these girls come from different family orientations like broken families, a factor that makes them rebellious, we hence strive to instill very strict adherence to values and regulations and ensure the rules are followed ton the latter.

We encourage them against unwanted relationships, secular music and good conduct in general” said Oketch.

There are also the religious programs like the weekend challenge every term conducted by the sponsor Anglican Church of Kenya where inspirational speakers are invited to talk to the girls among other useful programs.

Deputy Principal Academics Raphael Mugesia stated that the school has put in place myriad

Administration Block.

strategies to ensure the learners get the best academic experience.

“We don’t have anybody owning a class in this school, we teach all classes so long as you are in the same department, this has helped us in syllabus coverage which we always complete four months before the KCSE examinations making us embark on re-teaching on the form one syllabus, here we don’t do revision.”

He noted that learners are redistributed and grouped according to their capabilities so that strong students are put in their own class and weak students too given their class to make teachers put more efforts in dealing with them for improvement .The strategy worked pretty well.

Mr. Mugesia however lamented of shortage of classrooms for the high student numbers. “We have 427 Form 3 students who will be candidates and already our tuition facility is overstretched, we put so much emphasis on teacher student contact and when we have big student numbers piled in one class, we don’t feel fine hence we appeal for more funds for infrastructure.”

He also noted the challenge of teacher shortage as the school only has 44 TSC teachers making them employ additional 18 teachers on BOM terms which eat much into the little resources of the school.

Nyamira Girls High School is also doing pretty well in sporting activities. Hockey team has always made it to the National competitions including Music festivals and Drama among other co-curricular activities.

Inspirational message for the girls in the school.

EDUCATION NEWS

8

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

St Peters Boys Mumias shines in KCSE, Sports

From L-R-Deputy Principal (Administration) Luga Sokoni, Principal Cosmas Nabungolo and Deputy Principal (Curriculum) Stephen Makokha

By Shichangi Richard

S

t Peters Boys High School Mumias has consistently posted improved results in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) for three years in row.

According to the School Principal Mr Cosmas Nabungolo, the school has been improving both in mean score and quality grades whereby in last year the school had mean score of 7.7 as opposed to 6.3 in 2018 and 7.3 in 2019.

The school transition rate has been going up steadily with 2018 the school sending 168 which was 48.78 per cent while in 2019 they managed to send 223 student to university which was 66.5 per cent but last year the school had 253 making it to university which represented 74 per cent.

The principal noted that the school community has been working round the clock to ensure that boys’ academic needs are adequately met.

He observed that teachers and school management are working hand in hand to see that the school has realised its core

mandate of providing quality education to the boys and that are nurtured to be responsible citizens of the country.

The principal commented that the upward trend in mean score and increase in the university entry, the school is on the right track academically.

74%

university transition The school is working with Harvard University for student placement and talent nurturing

set to meet the set target of 9.5.

The principal observed that St Peters is linked to a number of international universities which they have partnered in various fields for the benefit of the boys.

He said that the school has partnership with USIU in scholarship of the students and in sports nurturing.

He revealed that the university has offered more than 10 scholarships for the students besides opening up a talent center for sports in the school where talent will be identified and nurtured for posterity The head said that the school has an agreement with VX Sports International which has identified the school as sports center in the country.

The VX Managing Director Dr Paul Heldrith was at the school to sign the partnership and also offer technical support and equipment for the school.

The principal avers that this gives the boys an opportunity to join international universities and also up their chances getting to play at international stages.

Mr Nabungolo also said that the school has entered an MOU with Lacrosse International sports body which have also pitched tent at the school and identified it as the men center of excellence in the country.

The officials of the group were in at the school where they gave sports equipment and technical supports towards the sports establishment in the country.

They said that Lacrosse World Finals will be held in Dublin Ireland next year were the school will be participating The principal revealed that St Peters is also accredited talent center by FIFA and FKF in Western region saying that they stand a chance of benefiting from the

said body with technical support in nurturing and supporting soccer in the country for them to feed the national team.

He said that they are also the Ruby 15th champions and they also formidable team in basketball and hockey where they were going to regional games before cancellation of the sports in the country The head farther said that the school is working with Harvard University for student placement and talent nurturing. He noted that St Peters has strong music team that has graced national functions and that they are also in collaboration with Georgia Atlanta University both for academic and identifying talented boys in various fields of sports which, he noted that in tune with new Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) where students are supposed to be exposed to various opportunities in life for posterity.

St Peters-Mumias Amani Club during an event at the school.

He said that with entry of 344 in last year’s exam, the school realized 9 A minus 45 B plus 74 B plain 64 B minus and 61 C plus to clock the list of those who made to the university totaling to 255 hence 74 per cent transition rate.

He hoped that this year they are

From L-R: Deputy Principal (Curriculum) Stephen Makokha, USIU Sports Director, Bonie Salano, Principal Cosmas Nabungolo and Games Master, Rashid Makokha.

St.Peters Mumias players in action during the Kakamega County secondary schools term one Rugby 15s finals match.

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

9

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Ugenya High School retains top league status

By Erick Nyayiera Ugenya High School in Siaya County continues to cement its place in the charts of top performing schools in the country after posting sustained improvement over years in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

In the 2020 KCSE, the school posted a mean of 7.556 becoming one of the best schools in Siaya County and in the entire Nyanza region. It sent 137 students direct to universities.

The school had A- (3), B+ (14), B (20), B- (54), C+ (47), C (23) and C- (12) and led in nine subjects in the Clement Nyang’acha, sub-county.

Senior Principal It also did exceptionally well in History and Government beating the established Extra- County School top schools Kenya High and other in Kisii County that I had revamped giants in the country.

Senior Principal Clement and was performing well,” stated Nyang’acha is pretty satisfied with Nyang’acha, The Principal says he didn’t the good results noting that it is a know that he was moving to a culmination of tireless work of his dedicated teachers who have always County school that had just been demonstrated high degree of zeal and started in Siaya County when he was transferred despite the fact that he determination in their teaching call.

He also acknowledged the was a Senior Principal.

“I ought to have been given discipline of the candidates that played a key role in the good another station of an Extra- County status but I chose not to complain academic showing.

The Senior Principal who took since it was a mistake by the TSC. I over the helm of the school in 2018 just took the challenge and I’m very after he was transferred from Sameta happy here that we now belong to the High School in Kisii County has league of top performers,” he said.

When he took over the institution since registered improvement in only had 10 TSC teachers, but he has the years. Consequently, the student population has risen from 440 to1000 managed to source for an additional students because of the high demand 15 TSC teachers.

The teaching staff numbers have for Form 1 admissions.

“I was transferred to Ugenya shot to 39 which includes 14 teachers High School in 2018 from an employed on BOM terms. The school

Administration Block.

Kshs. 18 million tuition block.

has one of the highest teaching staff numbers in the County.

Through the Principals dedicated work, Ugenya High School is poised to be elevated to an Extra- County

In 2020 KCSE, the school posted a mean of 7.556 becoming one of the best schools in Siaya County and in the entire Nyanza region. It sent

137

students direct to universities.

Through the Principals dedicated work, Ugenya High School is poised to be elevated to an ExtraCounty status after passing all the necessary assessments from the County Education Board.

Philip Ogina, Deputy Principal status after passing all the necessary assessments from the County Education Board.

His leadership style that is largely focused on an ‘open- door policy’ has seen the aspect of team work adopted by the teachers and Heads of Departments.

He says: “In Ugenya High, team work is the secret. We have a strong team teaching methodology in the school where all teachers are made to teach the candidates. We have the dream team and the Administrative team, and these organized teams work in the best interest of the learners.”

Nyang’acha has also focused a great deal in teacher/student motivation and has been taking teachers to educational trips and benchmarking tours to Universities.

The students too are regularly taken for benchmarking to performing schools like Kapsabet Boys and Maranda High where they

Students in class.

Kshs. 24 million Dormitory complex under construction.

are taught together, sleep together, eat together and do exams together.

Another strategy is the early syllabus completion that often ends one term before the KCSE exams which has helped the school engage in thorough revision and re-teaching exercise resultantly making the boys perform better.

The Senior Principal acknowledged the enormous support from the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the area Member of Parliament (Ugunja Constituency) Opiyo Wandayi who donated a school bus to the school to aid in educational programs.

Deputy Principal Philip Ogina notes that discipline the level in the school is encouraging and that all teachers including the student council have been pivotal in shaping student behavior.

“Our senior Principal has been very supportive in all our programs.

His wise leadership has ensured that all our undertakings are successful form the rich academic programs to the major aspect of teacher motivation,” said Ogina.

They deal with discipline issues extensively because the school has a very functional and strong empowered guidance and counseling department.

Senior Principal Nyang’acha short stint in the school has seen him put up key developments through savings.

He managed to put up a Sh18 million storey tuition complex hosting six classrooms and two laboratories He is currently constructing a 700 bed capacity Sh24 million storey dormitory complex courtesy of the Infrastructure Funds by the Ministry of Education and the assistance of the Parents Association.

The school however has infrastructural challenges to handle the growing student numbers forcing some boys to sleep in makeshift mabati structures, among them two classrooms that have been turned into dormitories.

“The school lacks a dining hall, library and sanatorium with a nurse and we also have inadequate teacher’s houses,” says the Principal.

He said there is no ample playing field and requested for land to expand the school.

School Bus donated by area MP Hon. Opiyo Wandayi.

10

EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDITORIAL Clarify proposed teaching policy framework The proposed policy framework on entry requirements in the teaching service by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has created a lot of debate among stakeholders in the education sector.

The Commission said it was meant to review the standards of Education and Training in the service but critics argue that it was not well thought out.

The TSC says there is no reason for panic because it was aimed at sensitising university deans, schools of education and chief principals of diploma teacher training colleges on requirements for entry into the teaching service.

The proposal received a lot of criticism after it recommended the abolition of the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree and suggested that it should be replaced with Bachelor of Arts or Science with a Post Graduate Diploma effective September this year.

Another key proposal was that in service teachers who are not yet employed notably those with ECDE, PTE, DTE BEd; DIP ED and SNE training courses will be required to undergo a nine month training in order to acquire a Post Training Certificate before being employed.

Although the TSC could be having genuine reasons for the envisaged changes in streamlining the teaching service, a few issues have emerged and which require immediate attention.

For instance, teachers who are not yet employed and are being advised to go back to school for a nine month training programme are asking who will facilitate their training.

Some of those teachers graduated long time ago and have not even secured the jobs due to the recruitment criteria employed by TSC during hiring.

Some of ECDE teachers for example may not afford to pay for the training because county governments have not paid them for a long time.

It is also not clear is who between TSC and Commission for University Education (CUE) will set entry requirement in the teaching service.

Stakeholders in universities, notably the school deans and lecturers among others also say they were not involved during the drafting of the policy.

These issues need to be addressed very urgently to avert a standoff between universities and the commission because both are vital in the streamlining of the teaching service.

But in carrying its function and coming up with such policies, the commission should consult widely with other stakeholders and also involve the public to avoid confusion.

In addition proper sensitization should be carried out for those who will be affected by the policy so that they can properly understand it well.

The commission should further improve its communication channel for timely clarifications on contentious issues.

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OPINIONS & COMMENTARIES

Slow learners can excel in exams The good performance by students who scored below 200 marks in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams in the recently released form four exams was very encouraging.

It was heartening when Prof George Magoha announced that those students had turned tables to secure places in university.

It is a testimony that the brain is elastic and can expand with application and encouragement.

The brain is also like a field which yields great returns when worked on to reap the fruits of what we spend time on.

Slow learners should be encouraged to listen, read and watch because the brain adopts to what it is subjected to and behold they will become transformed.

This is affirmed by Dr. Ben Carson, the world renown neurosurgeon, author of the books Gifted Hands and Think Big, which highlights how he rose from being an ‘idiot’ in Grade Five to be the best and the brightest in school and in the medical career by reading two books a week.

“It is hard study, hard toil, persevering diligence, that obtain victories. Waste no hours, no moments. The results of work— earnest, faithful work—will be seen and appreciated,” says Ellen White in The Review and Herald, March 10, 1903.

She said those who wish for stronger minds can gain them by diligence because the mind increases in power and efficiency by use. It becomes strong by hard thinking.

White added that he who uses his mental and physical powers most diligently will achieve the greatest results because every power of the being is strengthened by action.

Research and history confirm that poor performance registered by students and workers can be mitigated through en-

couragement and by creating an enabling environment.

That is by being self-driven, having the big picture, having role models to identify with and turning challenges into stepping stones for success.

Students need to be assured that they

By Robert Onsare are in school because they are intelligent and every human being created in the image of God has the capacity to think, to do, to reason and make right judgement.

Education is anchored on the foundation of brain power and thus, needs to be molded to respond appropriately to prevailing challenges.

The Apostle Paul aptly captures that: “We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us.”

God empowers us to surmount the challenges that beset us through innovation and discoveries, creativity and value addition, technology and new knowledge, science and arts.

Thus, education is an inseparable component of life which enhances social and physical, spiritual and mental development.

It is a lifetime process albeit punctuated with different systems and graduation calendars whose denominator remains learning: acquiring new knowledge and skills, gaining new experiences and climbing new heights.

Education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being.

It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers, which prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.

I agree with Dr Nita Temmerman, former university Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Southern Queensland, Australia that: “Formal education should be about guiding learners to learn how to think, reason, critically evaluate information, successfully collaborate with others and transfer skills and knowledge across a range of settings to arrive at different solutions to problems.

This big picture makes us to see vast possibility in every student, in every human we encounter.

Ours is to create an enabling environment in our hearts and society, homes and schools for the God – given potential to blossom to fruition.

The beautiful and amazing world around us is a testimony of the power of diversity.

The Writer is a trainer at Kisii National Polytechnic, Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department and a post graduate student at Multimedia University of Kenya. Contact: robert. onsare@gmail.com

Dear readers: Kindly send your observations or views on topical education matters to news@educationnews. co.ke. Note that the Editor reserves right to edit your articles for purposes of clarity and precision.

OPINION

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

11

EDUCATION NEWS

Stop jobs and skills mismatch of TVET graduates Increasing youth unemployment is a setback among the majority of the youthful generation in developing countries.

Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Education Zack Kinuthia has indeed pointed out that Kenya is among developing country with many graduates who are ill-prepared for the job market.

The unemployment rate in Kenya stands at about 10.4% and the Aga Khan University East Africa Institute released a report giving many reasons for the problem.

The report says youth leaving tertiary institutions and universities lack basic skills which create a mismatch between their education and the job market.

The situation puts the quality of education in TVETs in question.

How then do we minimize the skill and job market gap challenge?

The government has immensely constructed new TVETs in nearly every constituency to make tertiary education accessible to youth.

In addition, it has partnered with donors to equip those institutions with the state-of-the-art training equipment.

This effort is in harmony with the UNESCO strategy for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET 2016-2021) guidelines.

Those guidelines are fundamental to boosting various sectors of our country’s economy, among them extraction of raw materials, mining, fishing and Agriculture that require modern technology and a trained workforce.

The second sector of manufac-

turing includes construction, manufacturing and provision of utilities such as electricity.

The third sector is the provision of retail, leisure and hospitality, banking and transport services and lastly, the quaternary sector that involves the knowledge economy, education, research and development.

Consequently, today’s workforce requires specialized skills, among them cloud computing, Mogunde Charles artificial intelligence, sales leadership, analysis, mobile app development, people memorize statements or formulae management, video production, and rewrite them in the queen’s industrial design, blockchain, ani- language. That is wrong because mation, communication, transla- we cannot measure competence tion and digital journalism. Skills of our trainees by only answering that are on high demand have been questions.

What happens to trainees who identified but until now I have not seen specific tailor made courses perform well in practicals but fail to meet those needs apart from the to describe procedures in proper grammar? traditional brand names of courses.

Typically, work-based learning Courses like ICT should be disintegrated to the simple and specific should be planned and executed components that can be taught in by our TVETs and be reflected in few days bearing the customer, em- school academic calendars and training timetables. ployer needs.

Presently, there are scanty stanThe world of today’s work requires particular skill that our insti- dardized training books for tertiary training institutions so that there is tutions are not offering.

In fact, the institutions and ex- uniformity or harmony in training.

Further, a trainer struggles to amining bodies have to redesign their training and examining ap- collect notes and instructions from proach so as to match the employer many books, journals, electronic websites and manuals so as to dedemands.

As described, the current ex- liver relevant content yet he or she ams brand the majority of our train- has shortage of time given the burees as failures because they cannot den of training hours up to 25 hours

per week.

As long as trainers are overburdened, it leaves them with no option than to train haphazardly without regard to quality of the trainee.

Consequently, the end result is churning out youth who cannot meet the market and employer expectations.

The government urges Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC) to create courses that are short and affordable where students get to pay for the units they are studying thus easing the financial strain. These recommendations though desirable remain a tall order in implementation, because for example, courses developed by CDAAC include core units and common units.

Introducing common units prolongs the time of study and cost which is a burden to trainees who only need specific skill.

The TVETA and CDACC should consider cost and time implication per common unit to show a complete departure from the curriculum that integrates a lot of theories.

Questions to be answered are:

• Is there a unified course structure and fees structure attached to these CDACC courses?

• Are the fees structures affordable as is supposed to be?

• What amount is set for tuition fee levied by an institution and how much is examination fees for CDACC courses?

Equally important, trainers should adopt personalized teaching strategies and respond to unique

Schools should form formidable teams of peer counsellors Peers are people of equal standing. They are people of the same age, or at the same stage. In most cases, they share the same ranks, needs, social and academic status. Peer counselling focuses on that type of counselling that occurs among peers. It is important to note that counselling goes beyond guidance.

Juxtaposing the two, guidance can occur at a sitting. But counselling is an interactive process precipitated by a special kind of relationship between counsellor and client.

It behooves the counsellor to employ specific skills and techniques to prop up the client weighed down psychological burdens.

Peer counsellors listen aptly to fellow peers. They employ basic helping skills and techniques. They help other students to love learning through change of behaviour. For learning is change of behaviour and attitude. Attitude is equal to mindset plus beliefs.

Schools should have strong departments in charge of Guidance and Counselling (G and C). The Heads of Department (HoDs) G and C should devolve their roles of offering psycho-social support by forming formidable teams of Peer counsellors in schools.

After this composition, peer counsellors should ascend to their royal roles with zeal and zest. Peer counsellors should link other students to teacher-counsellors in the school. They should act as role

models and mentors.

In tough times like now, peer counsellors should provide psycho-social support to their fellow students who have been hit hard by the ripple effects of Covid-19 pandemic.

Effective peer counsellors must understand the three major stages in peer counselling.

There is initial stage where the counsellor and client create contact or rapport. The second phase which entails understanding the problem. The counsellor listens keenly to the client using certain basic skills in order to ascertain the problem.

The counsellor assists the client in setting goals, then doles out hope and help. Together, they conjure a solution. The last stage focuses on action. It is where the goals for change are clearly defined. The counsellor and client come up with a plan of action. The counsellor offers psychological support to the client by exploring new behaviour.

Evaluation of its effectiveness is done. If that works, the case is closed. Of course, this may require umpteen sessions.

Peer counsellors should educate their fellow peers on myriad issues such as useful study skills, healthy relationships, stress management, management of pocket money, proper stewardship of time, mental health, hygiene, wise use of media, career choices et cetera.

It is incumbent upon peer

Victor Ochieng counsellors to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) and create awareness on issues like drugs, early pregnancy, Covid-19 pandemic and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) like HIV/Aids scourge.

Peer counsellors should have a deeper understanding of Group Counselling and Crisis Counselling. On Group Counselling, they should know how to conduct class conferences, club gatherings, house meetings, religious convocations, school assemblies, pep talks and trainings.

Moreover, peer counsellors should wield specialised knowledge on matters Crisis Counselling. They should know what to do after occurrence of disaster. They should know how to handle fellow students after a school strike. They

should know how to handle students who have experienced sexual violence like defilement and rape. They should attend to other students who have reported back to school after suspension.

For peer counsellors to ascend to their roles, they must have comely qualities. In the giant list of attributes, they should be available, responsible, reliable, approachable, tactful, diplomatic, understanding, open-minded, assertive, imaginative, creative, innovative and talented. Above all, they should be pious, prayerful, wise, and not otherwise.

Peer counsellors must wield social skills like greetings, politeness, gentleness, kindness, etiquette, courtesy and compassion.

For them to establish good rapport with other students, they should be people with pleasant personalities; able to wear mile-wide smiles, with appropriate tone of voice and able to maintain meaningful eye contact.

Effective peer counsellors focus on ethics and basic helping skills. On ethics, they must be competent. In their dealings with other peers, they should practise high levels of confidentiality, fidelity and fairness.

Counselling cannot occur when counsellors have paucity of skills and techniques. I define skills as abilities to perform specific tasks. Counselling skills can be categorised into three: listening,

trainee needs.

These special needs include, trainees with disabilities, trainee prior employment experience and unique learning patterns as suggested by Dr Kipkirui Langat, DG TVET Authority.

That is one of the core reasons for introducing CBET (Competence-Based Education and Training) in TVETs where skill-based practical hands-on learning is a basic requirement.

In response to hands-on learning, the State Department (VTT) should direct the specific number of trainees required to share a piece of equipment at a single practical lesson for quality training to occur.

Similarly, there should be firm direction on the number of trainees a trainer can handle per lesson for personalized training to take place in our institutions.

An instance where 20 trainees overcrowd over a piece of equipment such as lathe machine compromises the quality of trainee.

The solution is for the directors to limit enrolment of trainees to a single Technical Training Institutions (TTIs), Technical Vocational Colleges (TVCs) or national polytechnics. Currently, we have TVET institutions that are well equipped but with low enrolment below 100 trainees.

Let us reduce enrolment in overcrowded institutions and equitably redistribute trainees to rescue the quality of training.

In the long run, training in our institutions should take the centre stage in order to minimize the skills and job market mismatch. On the contrary, unemployment rates of the youths will deteriorate to unsustainable levels.

Mogunde Charles FCPA, B.Ed. (Sci), M.Sc., Mediator, SMC, is a PhD candidate. mogundecharles@gmail.com attending, probing and reflecting, also known as responding skills.

Pertaining to listening skills, peer counsellors try to understand the clients’ verbal and non- verbal messages. The ultimate goal on this specific ambit, is to listen beyond the words used by the client.

Counsellors who are skilful listeners have mastered the art of picking clients’ experiences, behaviours and emotions in moments of candid conversations.

Attending skills means being there for clients – giving them undivided attention. The counsellors must welcome the client, exchange pleasantries, show some kindness through symbolic nourishment.

The counsellor should attend to the client physically and psychologically by putting premium on the SOLER Technique — Sitting squarely, Open posture, Leaning towards the client, Eye Contact and Relaxation.

Reflecting skills help counsellors to respond to clients. The aim is to communicate what has been understood, help the client to fully open up and to clarify what the client has expressed through: reflection of content or reflection of feelings. Reflection works in tandem with empathy, genuineness, Unconditional Positive Regard, restating, summarisation and rephrasing.

Probing skills encapsulates minimal prompts, questioning, confrontation, concreteness and self-disclosure. Other skills are silence, observation, symbolic nourishment and if possible, touching where appropriate.

The Writer trains Peer Counsellors in Schools. vochieng.90@ gmail.com.

EDUCATION NEWS

12

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

NACOSTI sets new rules for researchers

By Our Reporter National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) is planning to come up with a new database for researchers.

They will be registering researchers in the country to help the Commission in advising the government effectively.

The proposed guidelines are contained in a document titled National Guidelines for Registration, Licensing, and Regulation of Researchers in Kenya of May 2021.

The Commission intends to know the total number of researchers in the country and their field of specialization through the database which will be the first to be established.

Apart from registering researchers, the guidelines also set requirements to be met before being registered as a researcher.

The move is expected to uphold the standards of research in the country and secure public confidence in national research systems.

In a letter dated May 24, 2021 to all University Vice-Chancellors, Principals of Constituent Colleges and other middle level colleges and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of various Research Institutions, the Commission has given them up to S’ ER AD E R

June 30, 2021 to give their input and research qualifications relevant for comments regarding the proposed Graduate or Junior Researcher are a guidelines. bachelor’s degree or a diploma from It is proposed that there will be a recognize institution. two levels of researcher registraThose undertaking a relevant tion and licensing which will be Master’s or Bachelor’s degree or a Researcher and Graduate or Junior Diploma in a recognized institution Researcher whose the minimum also qualify. qualifications will be a Master’s However, the Commission or a PhD degree in a relstates that the registration status, evant field. both as a Researcher and Graduate “The Masor Junior Researcher will be valid ter’s or PhD for a three-year period after which degree a request for renewal shall be made should for consideration. have been “Registration and licensing of acquired a researcher is a mark of quale i t h e r ity, professionalism, reliability, through reand competence, and further search only commits the researcher to or through adhere to standards of inresearch and tegrity and professional coursework development,” reads the at a recogdocument in part.

Prof. Walter Oyawa, NACOSTI CEO. nized univerThe Commission sity,” the report has not stipulated the resays. quired amount to be paid The proposed guidelines also says a The proposed during registration in the one-year executive master’s degree is guidelines also proposed guidelines but not a qualification for a researcher. says a one-year states that “applicants will executive masbe required to pay anonter’s degree is not refundable registration fee search for at least five (5) years since a qualification for a researcher. attaining master’s or PhD degree to as shall be determined and commuIn addition, the guidelines be eligible for registration as a re- nicated by NACOSTI from time to among other requirements propose searcher. time.” that one should have undertaken reCurrently, the Commission The minimum academic and

Y SA

Move to assign teachers managerial roles laudable

The current job description for classroom teachers has given rise to the slogan "teach and go home."

That is line with the many stringent measures enacted to restrict teachers to the classroom and having no hand in the day-to-day running of the institutions.

It is from the realization of the error that the employer moved to assign teachers managerial roles.

It is meant to cure the misnomer albeit without salary increment, which will remain elusive for the classroom teachers for years to come.

Rony Ngala, Nakuru

Do not punish P1 trainees It is so painful that trained P1 teachers have been told that they must go back to school for CBC training before employment.

Some have stayed for more than 10 years without employment and have the families to take care of.

The question is how will their families survive while they are in school? Who will feed their children?

Who will pay the school fees for their children in school? Let TSC employ these teachers before telling them that they must upgrade before employment.

The college principals who decided that punitive measure must also think twice.

Kelvin Wekesa via E-mail kellywekesa@yahoo.com How does one go through all training requirements and suddenly you declare what they learned obsolete.

That tells Kenyans how obsolete you the government is in planning training programmes.

Poor Kenyans spend a lot of resources educating and training man power which is later dumbed and made useless thereby wasting generations of the human resource.

These are seless and hopeless planners eating our sweat.

Wanyama Reuben via E-mail mkojewwm@gmail.com

charges a registration fee of Sh2,000 for registration as a researcher and Sh1, 000 for registration as Graduate or Junior Researcher which is payable once in every three years.

The registration process will be carried online through the Kenya National Research Information System (KENRIS) after a final document is adopted.

Applicants will be required to upload their academic testimonials, CV and their profile photo details which will appear in their registration certificates.

Already the University of Nairobi (UoN) through the office of the Deputy Vice-chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) has asked its staff to forward their input and comments on the proposed guidelines by June 15, 2021in a memo dated May 28, 2021.

Some of the research institutions expected to give input and comments on the NACOSTI proposals include Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI).

Others are National Museums of Kenya (NMK), British Institute in Eastern Africa, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), and Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) among others.

FEEDBACK COLUMN Kiswahili syllabus should be revised

By Jackson Makũla It is unfortunate that for years we have accepted Kiswahili syllabus as it has been passed to us without questioning its validity.

I will provide empirical evidence that we can test the argument that I am going to raise.

We have been taught that in Kiswahili, we have five vowel sounds: /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/ and /u/. I would like to state confidently that this is a false

assertion!

Historically, Kiswahili is a child of Bantũ and Arabic languages. The lexical structures are closely related to most of the Bantũ languages.

In this regard, we can consider two Bantũ languages that have extra vowel sounds compared to the ones taught in Kiswahili: Kĩkamba and Gĩkũyũ.

In these languages, we have seven vowel sounds: /a/, /e/, /ĩ/, /i/, /o/, /ũ/ and /u/.

A close analysis of Kiswahili

Hello have graduated for a p1 course and I would like to inquire if i will qualify to join the selected colleges for the CBC induction Thomas Tangus -tcheruiyot@gmail.com When will Kericho TTC be celebrating golden jubilee graduation and would there be certificates going by this https://educationnews.co.ke/2017/07/03/kerichottc-celebrates-golden-jubilee-graduation/#max-widget Oscar mambo oscarmambo42@gmail.com Any news about unemployed p1 teachers My name is Elsy -elsyelly87@gmail.com What if one doesn't have a C in Mathematics....is it possible still to apply for diploma upgrade Stella Chemutai Kemboi- stellakemboi05@gmail. com I'm a PI teacher not yet employed how do I apply to upgrade for diploma Hellen Maina -hellymaina@gmail.com Unemployed p1 teachers to upgrade to diploma is a nice idea but I hope Knec tutafanya

proves that sounds /ĩ/ and /ũ/ are evident in the spoken language.

With regard to sound /ĩ/ try to read the following pairs of words noting whether there are any differences: mbili/kumi, Kingereza/Kimbia, mihogo/miba, ulimi/ lima, tafadhali/lia. Notice that the /i/ in each pair is realised differently.

In the initial words, it would be more accurate to write the words using letter /ĩ/ as follows: mbĩlĩ, Kĩngereza, mĩhogo, -lĩmĩ and tafadhalĩ.

In the same way, as far as sound /ũ/ is concerned, we can have the following examples: ulĩmĩ/utakatifu, ukuta/ufa, uma/nyuma, pakua/kuwa, unga/ugavi.

Notice that the /u/ in the words in italics is realised

differently than the counterparts. It would be more accurate to write them as follows: ũlĩmĩ, ũkũta, ũma, pakũa and ũnga.

There are hundreds of examples, to demonstrate that sounds /ĩ/ and /ũ/ are evident in Kiswahili language.

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development should subject my argument to intensive research and correct the errors in the syllabus.

I also encourage researchers to carry out more research within the discipline in order to unearth any other irregularities.

Author is the pioneer of Inspired Modern Writers Ink (IMWI) Email: inspiredmodernwritersink@gmail.com

Covid-19 has affected the education sector As the Covid-19 pandemic progresses many schools will continue with digital learning, where most children will be attending and accessing online classes from their homes.

Lack of student to teacher interaction learning has affected many students who are passionate about classroom education which has affected them at large.

The good news is that most schools have added some precautions which include hand washing and using sanitizing.

They have added more classrooms to create more room for physically distancing.

The health sector should however consider schools by providing them with hand sanitizers and face masks.

This would be of great help to the students and teachers in schools.

Mosawe Naomi, Kisumu.

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

13

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Kapsabet Girls shows off its winning ways

Happy students looking to a bright future.

Mrs. Mary J. Kiprop Senior principal.

By Leonard Angatia The ‘Paragons’-the 2020 class lived up to its credo; personification of excellence. True to self and to name, the Paragons managed a pleasant 98% transition to university with an improved mean of 8.918 from 7.925 of 2019.

Excellence in deed.

The Paragons journey has been an incredible saga of ups and downs . In March 2020 schools closed unexpectedly and indefinitely.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that has left a litany of casualties in its wake.

Seven months later, schools reopened for the form fours. The candidate class that came back from the unprecedented holiday was a pale shadow of its former self. Most of the learners were psychologically disoriented, socially bruised and academically unfocused. On their faces one could read a paralyzing sense of defeat. There lay a mammoth task of reconstructing the learner psychosocially and preparing the learner academically for KCSE. This called for sheer grit of will and backbreaking hardwork.

With the efficient psychosocial programs , elaborate academic routines and an ebullient team of teachers, the tide suddenly changed. The seemingly desperate class now oozed exuberance and passion to excel.

Out of the 250 candidates that sat for KCSE, 245 managed a direct entry to university, and 5 will equally qualify for competitive courses in tertiary institutions. The Paragons proved to be patriots of sterling order by placing the school at position 39 nationally.

The six-streamed Extra County

When much is given, much is expected. We have a very strong culture of excellence engendered in Christian values dating back to time of the missionaries

Mrs. Jane Sitienei, Deputy Principal

-Principal

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school, has a population of 1350 students and 44 teachers posted by TSC. The school is located in the precincts of Kapsabet town.

The school principal, Mary Kiprop has initiated robust and ambitious but absolutely critical programs towards attainment of the school vision - ‘to be an icon of excellence’.

There is the rigorous Math Weekender, the Supper quiz, the weekend practical for sciences, the Sunday hour for Creatives and the subject based internal contests.

In search for other novel

New Tuition block.

approaches to excellence, the school collaborates with the best performing schools in the country in order to provoke the girls’ enthusiasm to excel.

The Board Of Management, who are the principal architects of the school programs have cemented the link between parents and teachers thereby establishing an ambience of a smooth work environment.

Motivation of learners and teachers being key.

‘When much is given, much is expected. We have a very strong culture of excellence engendered in Christian values dating back to time of the missionaries. Discipline, in both its narrow and broader sense is our compass.’’ said the principal, an optimist by nature.

The current candidate class has been tasked to burn the midnight oil and scale to the summit of the academic bar.

According to the teachers, shepherding the learners to excel is not a subject for debate but rather an imperious call of duty and a deeply felt commitment. ‘ Discipline and teamwork, sense of purpose and direction, is a touchstone that provides a perfect canvas for exemplary performance ,’ asserted the principal.

14

EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

WESTERN BUNGOMA

MP urges teachers to improve math grades

By Tony Wafula Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi has asked teachers in the constituency to help students improve maths and other subjects to increase transition to university.

The constituency produced the top Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCSE) candidate as well as the KCPE candidate in Bungoma County.

In 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Kanduyi constituency led others in posting stellar results as 5,603 students secured chance to join university.

Others who attained a mean grade of C (plain) and below will be joining technical institutions and TTCs to pursue Diploma and certificate courses of their choice.

Addressing journalists in Bungoma town after an education stake-

BUSIA

Kandunyi MP, Wafula Wamunyinyi delivering his speech.

holders’ forum, he urged teachers to focus on coaching mathematics and other subjects.

He said low math grades adversely affected the overall results of learners’ results in last year’s exams in the vast sub county.

“I will support them in any way to ensure that math and other science subjects improve drastically in 2021 results,” he said.

He said the second batch of NGCDF cash will soon be released to institutions and asked school heads to utilize the money well.

“I know that school heads are finding it hard to run schools but they should be patient as funds are about to be released from my NG-CDF kitty to respective institutions,” he said.

The Ford Kenya MP appealed to students who didn’t attain university grades not to give up but instead pursue higher education through technical institutions.

Ojaamong calls for upgrade of Alupe university college

By Washington Okella Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has urged Moi University to consider upgrading Alupe university college to a fully-fledged university.

Speaking in Eldoret where he paid a courtesy call to Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Kosgey recently, the Governor said Alupe deserves a charter, thus the need to upgrade it.

The Governor also requested for upscaling of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programmes supported by Ampath in Bunyala to cover more people

in the county.

He also highlighted the partnership between Moi University and his government.

He was accompanied by the Finance Executive Phaustine Barasa, Deputy County Secretary Evaline Ikwii, Chief Officer Medical Services, Dr Isaac Omeri and County Attorney Rtd. Judge Anyara Emukule.

Also present was AMPATH Chief of Party, Prof Sylvester Kimaiyo and NHIF UHC Manager, Mr Gilbert Osoro among others.

TSC urged to promote teachers on merit

By Tony Wafula Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been asked to promote teachers who have been acting in same positions for a long time.

Speaking at Mabusi village during the burial of KNUT official in Bumula constituency, Bungoma East KNUT Executive Secretary Aggrey Namisi said many teachers have overstayed in acting positions.

He said although most of them have served in ranks of heads and deputies, TSC goes to an extent of demoting them to much lower positions.

“This issue of reshuffling teachers from senior positions to junior demoralizes the spirit of hard work,” Namisi noted.

He added that reshuffling school heads who have been in

Bungoma East KNUT Executive Secretary Aggrey Namisi. Photo/Tony Wafula acting positions creates confusion leading to mismanagement.

Namisi also urged TSC to come up with a vivid stand on the issue of Bachelor Education degrees in university training.

Govt should increase funds to special schools

By Tony Wafula The Ministry of Education has been urged to increase funding in schools with special needs as a way to help students living with disability access education.

The call was made by Joyce Nasambu when she led her foundation in the donation of uniforms at St. Anthony School in Webuye for the hearing impaired.

She said many special schools lack essential facilities to facilitate their learning.

Nasambu said students in special needs schools should not be neglected and instead should be supported mos by society.

Her foundation has been in the forefront in helping special needs schools to ensure that students get education in Bungoma County and its environs.

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong (right) at a past function. Photo/Washington Okella

KAKAMEGA

MP asks school girls to be disciplined

By Andanje Wakhungu Lurambi MP Titus Khamala has urged all school girls to exercise high levels of discipline if they want to excel in their exams.

The MP said discipline plays a vital role in each student’s success hence need for them to uphold it.

He promised to empower the girl-child academically in his constituency to achieve the quest for gender equality.

Khamala challenged parents who were still holding the notion that educating a girl -child was a waste of time to step out of the backward and outrageous beliefs and educate girls.

Lurambi MP Titus Khamala with one of the girls he sponsored. Photo Andanje Wakhungu “What I know is educating a girl is educating a whole society as their benefits spread wider than those of a boy-child,” said Khamala.

“The world has awakened to the realities of women making better leaders and even decision makers than we men and its only through education that they will be counted on tomorrow when they fairly compete for positions against the men,” he added. He urged them also to choose progressive careers that will put them at the top of things.

“Long gone are days that girls were directed to do secretarial and office messenger jobs while the men took lucrative positions in companies.

Go for engineering, medicine and law so that you can be that lady boss that supervises a team of men,” advised Khamala.

Joyce Nasambu hands over uniforms to Geoffrey Khakina school head teacher of St. Anthony School for the hearing impaired in Webuye as learners look on. Photo/Tony Wafula

Director Jilca Academy Caroline Imbogo, parents and a teacher pose for a photo with the 2020 top KCPE candidates during a thanksgiving ceremony held at the school recently. The school in Kakamega county was ranked fifth overall in the subcounty.

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

15

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Celebrations galore as Mukumu Girls shines in 2020 KCSE

Senior Principal, Fridah Ndolo.

By Leonard Angatia Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School celebrated exemplary performances in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

Out of 367 candidates registered, 290 attained C+ and above enabling them to join undergraduate degree courses.

2020 mean score stood at 7.6458 from 7.1413 in 2019, a positive deviation of 0.5042 and at 80 per cent university transition.

Senior principal Fridah Ndolo who joined the school in 2017 has seen this premier institution improve in both performance and population.

She teaches Home science and her subject scored a mean of 8.167 best girl getting A- and lowest scoring C- respectively.

The principal attributed improved performance to the good

behaviour of students who were joining form one and teamwork shown by all stakeholders.

“We introduced online learning while candidates were at home which has really boosted our mean score. Though there were many challenges in that area due to inability of some parents who could not access internet for their children”, she said.

The school is an extra county with student’s population of 1419, 47 Teachers Service Commission (TSC) teachers and 25 on BOM terms. It is registered as a ten streamed at a CBE of 71 teachers.

Sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega, it has strong Christian foundation which instills and inculcates values of responsibility and honesty among students.

This school has been in gradual improvement since 2017.

Mukumu Girls teachers during team building session in Kisumu.

Board of Management (BOM) Chairman Dr. Josephat Kwasira and PA Chair Dr. Okeda Omondi are very supportive and does team building for teachers which no doubt has seen improvement in all spheres at Mukumu Girls.

Teachers are motivated and passionate about their work and care a lot towards students. A good number go out of their way to see students perform even better.

Despite the school being an extra county, it has one subatantially appointed Deputy Principal Fredrick Odera in charge of academics.

The one in charge of administration is only appointed by the school board by the name Gavala Zibiuta.

Current candidates’ class has picked a driving slogan “SKY BREAKERS “and promised to bring as many As as possible.

“Of course with the above average disciplined, intelligent, hardworking and ready to learn students

Deputy Principal, Administration, Mrs. Zibiuta Gavala.

we endorse all our efforts and power in them to bring us whatever is left,” a jovial Ndolo affirmed.

Like any other learning institutions in Kenya, the school needs enough infrastructures to cater for the large numbers. It has converted some classes into dormitories.

They don’t have spacious library to accommodate students’

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Deputy Principal, Academics, Fredrick Odera.

needs.

They are constructing a storey tuition block which needs more support especially from Ministry of Education for completion. The school is also appealing to TSC to increase numbers of teachers posted to school in order to achieve 100 per cent transition.

Current candidate class has picked a driving slogan “SKY BREAKERS “and promised to bring as many A’s as possible.

Sr. Principal, Fridah Ndolo

Tuition block under construction.

16

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

EASTERN MAKUENI

KITUI

Principal stamps mark in day school

PWDs asked to collect disability card

By Our Reprter

By Lydia Ngoolo The Principal of Matinyani Mixed Day School Martin Kimongo has improved its performance by creating a friendly environment for the learners.

He was transferred to the school in 2017 and in 2018 the school had a mean grade of 3.3 when two students qualified to join university.

In 2019, with a mean grade of 2.9, four students qualified to university and in 2020 the school jumped to a mean grade of 4.0 with eight attaining university grade out of 84 candidates.

“We had three with B Principal Matinyani mixed day school Martin plain and five C plus which Kimongo holds Kitui West women soccer trophy is not easy to get in such a retained in the school. Photo/Lydia Ngoolo sub county day school. We are now targeting a mean county schools which admit forget something you have grade of 5.0,” he added. seen rather than usual theoSpeaking from his office top cream students.

The Principal encour- ries and from that, we are Kimongo said many children have a negative perception ages the students by telling steadily improving. Physics against education but he is them they are in the best day had a mean grade of 5 this trying to change the percep- school not only in Kitui but year,” Kimongo adds.

He however noted the tion to make them comfort- countrywide.

Posted in the school school has a shortage of four able and change the attitude.

He also puts motivation- in June 2017, he found the teachers. It has 14 Teachers al stickers in every corner of school was lacking so many Service Commission (TSC) the school to remind the stu- things including a gate..He teachers and three hired

by Board of Management dents of their responsibilities. has erected a modern gate.

“This is the only day (BOM).

“Teachers who are very They are also Kitui West co-operative work as a team school with computer lab to shape the boys’ future. fully equipped in the sub women soccer champions, a They are very close to the county and it’s all about be- cup sponsored by MP Edith students. Discipline is not ing aggressive,” says Kimo- Nyenze, a trophy they have bagged for three consecutive compromised here,” he ex- ngo.

He approached the Min- years and now it’s retained in plains. They also meet frequently with the parents to istry and was given comput- the school.

They have gone up to discuss the behaviour of their ers, then partitioned his office to create a room that is national level in music festichildren. vals, while boys also excel in The school has 300 stu- now a computer lab.

He also bought a pro- soccer and two boys play for dents and its entry marks is 100, which the head teacher jector for animation to make AFC Leopards. says is almost zero marks as science subjects interesting opposed to County and extra and stick to the mind.

“I know it’s not easy to

The Makueni Knut branch People with Disability (PWD) representative Christopher Muli has asked disabled people in the area to collect their identity cards.

He said the cards will enable them to start enjoying many services offered by the government.

Speaking at Kathonzweni HGM Primary School where he teaches, Muli said the card is free.

He added that only a national ID card or a passport and a medical report acquired from any recognised government hospital showing the type of disability are required for registration.

“I want to laud the President for introducing tax exemption because KRA gives us certificate of tax exemption and disability guide allowance to our aides. There are so many other benefits of having the card as well,” he added.

He said due to affirmative action persons living with disability do not have to face discrimination compared to the past when they were seriously discriminated.

“Currently 5% of jobs application should go to PWDs if they apply. The Elimu scholarship has 10% going to students as well.

We feel recognised and part of the other people,” he adds smiling.

Muli who learned at the same school and was later posted there, says he had tough time looking for employment even as a Parents Teachers Association (PTA) teacher within his locality.

Knut Makueni branch PWD representative Christopher Muli holds National disability card at Kathonzweni HGM public primary school. Photo /Lydia Ngoolo “I was turned down in every school I went since they didn’t see what a person living with disability like me could deliver,” he said.

He reminded the public that being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t deliver.

“I didn’t give up but I thank God that I got an opportunity in one of the schools in Makindu, having been rejected in Kathonzweni area where I grew up and schooled,” he added.

The joyful unionist adds that despite his disability, assisted by another teacher in the school, he has taken the school scouting club to national level and they aim for East Africa competition in post Covid-19 when normalcy returns.

He is also an experienced examiner who marks a lot of answer sheets and

does not look at the marking scheme anymore as the answers stick in his mind.

He observed that a boy with living with disability in Makueni Boys High School got an A minus in KCSE while another one in Kathonzweni Boys got B plus and were among the top.

He also called upon parents and teachers to make sure they integrate such learners with others but make sure the environment favours them.

He decried the gap for leadership positions for PWDs in the Knut leadership at branch and national level.

He observed that there is need for representation from branch, county, regional and national level in Knut leadership Muli appealed for total recognition and awarding of PWDs at the Annual Delegates Conference and in TSC awards as well and further asked for promotion without discrimination.

“Let us have competitive and carrier guideline interviews done fairly,” he noted.

He noted that the blind and mentally handicapped have got no secondary schools at the county level.

There is only Thika School for Blind and Machakos, he said and called for such schools to be devolved so that there is one in every county.

“Some people with such disability challenge drop at the primary level, while others are challenged by travelling costs and other expenses,” adds Knut official.

THARAKA NITHI

Girl scores B+ in KCSE after colleagues paid her fees

By John Majau Fancy Kathambi, 18, attained a University entry grade of a B+ despite facing many in raising school fees.

She has also endured psychological problems during her upbringing and throughout her primary and secondary school education.

That is because she was allegedly rejected by her father and her step father when her mother remarried.

Empathetic Chuka Girls High school teachers and students fundraised for her to clear Sh60, 000 school fees balance before she sat for her exams.

The teachers and students raised and settled the fees balance of Sh60,

000 for her when she was sent home to get the money and stayed over two weeks.

Chuka Girls’ Chief Principal Florence Mutwiri said they almost switched off the future of Kathambi after she was requested to go home for fees but couldn’t return.

Kathambi was among Chuka Girls 145 students who attained a University entry points out of 201 class that sat the 2020 KCSE exams.

“Her discipline is high. She has never been involved even in noise making. She is a girl we loved,” said the Chief Principal.

She said Kathambi joined Chuka Girls’ in 2017 when they immediately we noticed her inadequacy in paying fees.

They tried to approach her father David who picked Mutwiri’s phone once and was very rude.

“The father has neglected them and the mother does not have a reliable source of income,” she added.

Kathambi now fears she may not

Ms Florence Mutwiri, Chuka Girls’ High School Principal.

Kathambi was among Chuka Girls 145 students who attained university entry points out of 201 class of 2020.

achieve her dream career of studying Medicine if she does not get someone to sponsor her higher education.

That is because her fate was almost sealed when her Aunt living in Nairobi promised to pay her form three and four fees but failed to send money.

The school had a mean score of 7.4 up from 6.67 they attained in 2019.

The second born in a family of four was staying with her grandmother from class one to standard seven and the relocated to live with her mother in her second marriage when was in class eight.

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

17

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

MATINYANI BOYS AMONG BEST PERFORMING EXTRA COUNTY SCHOOLS

By Lydia Ngoolo

M

atinyani Boys High School is among top secondary schools in Kitui County with the highest number of students qualifying for university in 2020.

The extra county school emerged position four in 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) sending 128 students to universities.

With marks ranging from 320 to 360, the Catholic sponsored giant school with a population of 900 has been shining all the time in discipline, Co-curricular activities and performance.

The school was started in 1950 as intermediate school and in 1969 as secondary school.

The performance has been exemplary. In 2018 it had a mean grade of 6.9 with 73 out of 145 qualifying direct to join university.

2019 attained a mean of 7.69, 127 direct university qualifiers out of 166. In 2020 a mean of 7.94 with 128 out of 148 qualifying to join university direct.

The Principal Mr. Nelson Mureithi was transferred to the school in 2018 and attributes the performance to team work. He added that they focus much on the end product of their students not much on performance.

“With this, everything will fall in place. Not all about students scoring top grades, we want them to be useful people in the society and that’s why we don’t compromise in individualised discipline,” he said.

During Covid-19 holiday they had whatsApp learning, zoom

Nelson Mureithi , Matinyani Boys Principal classes and sending assignments which helped a lot in revision.

In terms of school development, he started banana growing with 100 stems and currently there are 200 stems. The students consume and surplus goes to needy students’ school fees.

They have gone an extra mile of keeping livestock for own consumption.

The school has inadequate infrastructure though they are trying to do the much they can with available resources.

They are currently upgrading to six streams from three to enhance capacity for all students since the population is growing.

Mureithi said they are building a nine storey classroom and the ground floor is almost complete.

Initially the school had 15 toilets but they are adding 18 more toilets which are disability friendly.

There are two compounds in the school: the boarding, then

Administration Block

Ongoing storey building of nine classrooms

administration and a road passes in between the two compounds.

This prompted the school to construct a footbridge sponsored

by Kitui County government for the boys and once complete, the boys will not be allowed to use the road in crossing either side.

The footbridge was 2020/21 project and is 1km apart. It will enhance movement and security of the boys which is very paramount.

“We have moved the dining from boarding side to administration to ease time wastage in movement. In 2019/20 we constructed a multipurpose hall with a capacity of beyond 1200.

The boys could make nine trips per day which was tiresome. Currently once they come from dorms in the morning they will go back in the evening to sleep,” Mureithi adds.

The former dining hall was converted to modern dorm with cubicles. In 2020/21 they added two dorms through CDF with capacity of 200.

In terms of fee payment, they have good payment policy of paying in three installments and are passionate about that.

Many children come from

Mutuku Mutua Pascal, Deputy Principal humble backgrounds. Parents are allowed to pay in kind either bring firewood, goat or anything with value.

“We also have programs for the needy. We look for sponsors from County government or CDF. Here we retain students in school; we don’t send them for school fees. Had I looked at the school fees I would have lost a

The Dormitories.

Environmental Conservation Club project.

The footbridge connecting administration and boarding area.

genius boy who scored grade A last year”, revealed Mureithi.

Generally all the subjects perform well but Agriculture, Computer studies and geography tops. Currently the school has 30 computers but require an addition of 50 more to accommodate all the students willing to pursue it.

The school shines in music and goes up to national level. In games, they are good in handball, basketball and science congress (science fair and engineering).

The school has 34 teachers from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and six employed by the Board of Management (BOM).

The Deputy Principal Mutuku Mutua Pascal said there is no weak child and teachers must always identify the background of the learner.

There are mentorship programmes for students and teachers. The teachers are empowered by being made principals of each class.

Every class must have a project like forestry and banana planting, environmental conservation and many others.

Students in group discussions

Multipurpose Dining Hall

A teacher checks on the banana garden.

18

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

RIFT VALLEY BARINGO

NAROK

KUSNET seeks help for special needs learners

By Ben Leshau Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) wants the Ministry of Education to increase capitation funds to support special needs learners Speaking after conducting national elections at a hotel in Narok North constituency, KUSNET Secretary General James Torome said the union is focused on service delivery for special needs teachers as well as the special needs students.

"Unlike other able-bodied learners, special interest learners need more funds. The Education Ministry should, therefore, add more funds to this group," said Torome.

He urged the Ministry of Education to ensure that students are provided with proper infrastructure to allow ease of access to classrooms and other amenities within their schools.

The Secretary General who was elected unopposed further called on union members to hold their horses on matters concerning the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) insisting that the union will make a major announcement on July 1, 2021.

He said the union has a membership of over 9,001 teachers, and is targeting to increase the number to 18,000.

Torome cautioned that if the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) signs the Collective Bargaining Agreement then any

Legislator petitions govt to reconstruct submerged schools

By Talarus Chesang

KUSNET SecretaryGeneral James Torome.

Photo/Bell Pere member who would like to join the union would be fined.

Moses Kendagor who is a special needs teacher said that there is a need for the government to look into the plight of visually impaired students who use Braille.

He said they are limited due the high cost of learning equipment, adding that the capitation fee should be increased from the current Sh2,100 per student.

Charity Machocho who is a trustee at KUSNET stated that special needs students face a myriad of challenges, pointing out that more resources should be channelled to special needs education.

She urged the government to supply face masks and sanitizers to the special needs schools for the sake of improving health care for the students.

KERICHO

ELGEYO MARAKWET

Government has been urged to urgently release funds for reconstruction of schools destroyed by floods in Baringo South Sub-county.

Area Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Kamuren said learning is yet to resume in six submerged schools around lakes Baringo, 94 and Bogoria.

“It is now one year since the ministry promised to release Sh19.5 billion funds to resettle the learners affected by floods in the country a pledge that hasn’t been fulfilled to date” Kamuren noted.

He listed over 10 most affected schools in his constituency among them Ng’ambo, Kiserian, Noosukro, Kampi ya Samaki, Kokwo primary and Secondary Schools and Loruk in Baringo North.

Others are Salabani, Ng’enyin, Noosukro, Rugus, Lorok, Leswa and Sintaan primary schools.

“No single cent has so far been wired to the bank accounts of the affected schools” Kamuren said, adding that the learners are currently congested in nearby schools and studying in deplorable conditions.

The MP was speaking while commissioning a classroom constructed by the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) at Marigat Integrated Day Secondary School.

He said some of the learners from the affected schools have been forced to study in tents and under trees after their classes were submerged.

The schools submerged as a result of the rising water levels in Lake Baringo, Bogoria and Lake 94 owing to heavy rains since May last year.

The legislator further said the situation may interfere with the enrolment of form one students in the submerged secondary schools.

Former Education PS Belio Kipsang announced the release of the funds while touring the disaster affected schools in August last year.

They were meant to benefit schools destroyed by floods in Baringo, West Pokot, Elgeiyo Marakwet and Kisumu counties.

He promised that the government would release the money immediately to reconstruct the schools to ensure the learners could study in a conducive environment.

Glance box -More than 10 schools sub-merged in Baringo North and South sub-counties.

-Kamuren said the funds were yet to be released since August last year.

Don helps girl who threatened to commit suicide

Moi University don Prof James Sang and Cheboin MCA Evans KIbet aka Shaggy

By Benedict Ng'etich A Moi University lecturer came to the rescue of a student from Litein Girls High School who attempted to commit suicide due to lack of school fees.

Prof James Sang said Sheila Cherotich attempted to end her life by taking poison after she was sent back home for school fees arrears amounting to Sh 56,000.

She had gone to school after the half term break but was not allowed to stay despite pleading that

her family and the Kabarus community had organized for a funds drive which was to be held the following Sunday.

The Form Three student is recuperating well at Kapkatet hospital where she was rushed after taking poison.

Her plight was highlighted on social media by sympathetic fans who created a WhattsApp forum and raised Sh30,000 towards clearing her school fees arrears.

During the fundsdrive Prof Sang, former long serving Deputy Vice Chancellor in-charge of Administration and Finance at Moi University cleared all the outstanding fees arrears of Sh 56,000 and pledged to sponsor her complete Form Four.

Prof. Sang said he will take full responsibility of ensuring that the young girl from Kabarus village in Bureti sub County, Kericho County completes school.

During the harambee Prof.

Sang, an aspirant for Kericho County Gubernatorial seat in 2022 elections presented the Sh56,000 cheque addressed to Litein Girls High school.

A submerged building at Kampi ya Samaki Secondary School in Baringo North Sub-County. Photo/Talarus Chesang

Day scholars banned from renting houses

By Correspondent Students in Day Secondary Schools in Marakwet East Subcounty will not be allowed to rent houses when schools reopen for first term in July this year.

They will be required to commute from their respective homes or guardians' homes to and from school instead of living in rented houses at various market centres in the area.

Assistant County Commissioner for Chesongoch Division, Mr Peter Mutai told an education stakeholders meeting at Sambirir Girls High School recently that the practice will be stopped.

The meeting convened by the Ministry of Education was for the stakeholders to discuss challenges children in the area have in accessing education and remaining in schools until they complete their primary and secondary school cycle.

Mr Mutai, who represented the area Deputy County Commissioner Mr Simon Osumba, said parents allowed their children to rent houses at market centres thereby exposing them to social vices.

He said the children should walk from their respective homes since the schools were within commuting distance.

“Such children, particularly school girls fall prey to sexual predators, who gave them financial support but ruined their lives,” said Mutai.

Students who cannot commute to schools from their homes should find alternative schools within five kilometres radius from either their homes or the homes of their guardians.

The Chairman of Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA), Marakwet East, Pius Chepkurui said learner absenteeism from school was rampart in the area.

The Metipsoo Primary school Headteacher said school going children in the upper areas of Marakwet Subcounty take more than a week to resume learning when schools reopen.

Director of Education, Mr Amos Kibet urged the residents to embrace education saying it was the only tool to enable young generation to survive in modern times.

NAKURU

Sh76.4 million disbursed to needy students

By Brenda Korir A total of 21,923 bright but needy children in Nakuru County have benefited from the Nakuru County bursary programme totalling Sh76.4 million.

During the launch event that was held at Shabaab grounds, the Deputy Governor Erick Korir said students from 55 wards will benefit from the bur-

sary.

He said about 17,000 secondary schools students will get Sh47 million, while Sh10.1 million will go to1,937 university students and Sh8 million for 1,435 tertiary institutions students.

The deputy Governor added that special schools will receive Sh2 million Ward Bursary Committee members receiving to support their education a dummy cheque from Deputy Governor, Eric programmes.

Korir. Photo/Brenda Korir

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EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

RIFT VALLEY KAJIADO

GOVT denies favouring public schools in KCPE 2020

Kenvick School in Ngong Kajiado North celebrating after the school posted excellent results in 2017 KCPE. File/Photo

By Obegi Malack Kajiado North Sub county education director John Njoroge has praised public schools for recording exemplary performance during the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2020.

The director said the good performance of the schools is due to reduced number of learners. The public schools enrol high numbers which is challenging in provision of services.

The teachers were also able to have enough time with the learners and they had to compensate the time they lost when schools closed due to Covid-19.

Njoroge said the private schools had challenges of teachers leaving to focus

on other careers since they were out of school for a long time.

Private schools managers say the standardization used favoured public schools.

Thorn Tree Academy head teacher Joseph Kamau said public schools did not perform better than private schools, Private schools had low marks in expected high performers with public low performers receiving high marks.

“Public schools were disadvantaged because they had no online learning and record high number of students which is difficult to manage, they came from the blues to top the country which is questionable,” he said.

Kamau said the govern-

ment should be friendly to private schools and should be treated equally since the students are all citizens of Kenya and the parents pay taxes just like those in public schools. He noted that categorizing of students during marking of the examination and registration should also be done away with.

Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha had issued a statement before the release of the examination indicating that administration and marking will take into account challenges candidates went through during the nine-month Covid-19 shutdown.

This was translated as benefiting those from public schools that were affected when the pandemic cut off their valuable time of up to six months.

The Education Permanent Secretary Dr Julius Jwan rubbished the allegations that the results were moderated to give private schools low marks. He said the private schools had financial challenges and lost teachers to other sectors during the six months break, these caused decline in performance.

During the six months period the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) offered lessons through radio and TV. Most private schools held their lessons online.

Elgeyo Marakwet holds forum to end FGM An official from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP) has told residents of Elgeyo Marakwet County that the rights of every woman and girl should be upheld.

Speaking during the meeting convened by a number of stakeholders, Dr. Ademola Olajide said they should be protected against harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

“The sheer number of girls and women affected by FGM highlights the need for urgent action,” said Dr. Olajide.

Elgeyo Marakwet County Government in partnership with the National Government, World Vision,UNFP and the Marakwet Girls Foundation held its first community dialogue on ending the FGM vice.

The discussions which were held at Chesongoh, Endo Ward

Turbo: Official says 32 schools to be closed

By Wasike Elvis The Director of Education in Turbo Sub-county in Uasin Gishu Kuyo Ole Saoinah has cautioned parents denying their children who sat KCPE a chance to continue with their education.

Speaking during a stakeholders meeting to review the 2020 KCPE results, Ole Saoinah said they will ensure there is 100 percent transition from primary to secondary school.

“I want to urge parents that regardless of the marks students got, no child will stay at home due to lack of fees,” stated Saoinah.

He said students who will not be admitted to national, extra county and county secondary school will report to those that are in a radius of 500 metres from their homes.

“For example Kandie Secondary School will serve Kandie primary school, those from Union Primary School will join Kandie and Umoja,” Olesaoinah added.

He further re-

in Marakwet East Sub- county of Elgeyo Marakwet to create awareness of the dangers of FGM and came up with the best ways to end it.

In Elgeyo Marakwet, FGM is a growing concern as it is a harmful cultural practice that violates the rights of girls and women.

The team held different meetings with elders, youth and religious leaders as they play a key role in any decision-making of the community.

Despite the national decline in FGM prevalence, it is still practised within the communities of Elgeyo Marakwet which has posed a great challenge to law enforcers.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Youth, Gender and Social Service Kiprono Chepkok said having such dialogues sheds light on sensitive cultural issues to the target group.

Turbo Sub-County Director of Education Kuyo Ole Saoinah. Photo/Elvis Wasike vealed that over 32 private schools in Turbo Sub-county face closure due to poor performance experienced in the recent past.

“We have identified 12 secondary and 20 primary schools which we are going to advise the County Education Board to close because of continued poor results,” said Saoinah.

He said some private schools have not registered their candidates in both secondary and primary schools to sit the examinations.

Stakeholders to discuss poor education standards in Pokot

Pupils of Lopelekwa primary school in West Pokot having lunch in class. file/photo

By Correspondent Education stakeholders in Pokot North will begin holding regular meetings to discuss the state of education in the area.

They will also discuss the problems, challenges and risks that affect the retention and transition of learners from upper primary to secondary schools.

The area Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Samuel Njuguna made the decision after holding an education

Sub-county sends 700 to university

By Isaac Biwott

WEST POKOT

ELGEYO MARAKWET

By Dennis Bett

NANDI

UASIN GISHU

stakeholders dialogue which discussed learner access to education, retention and transition to secondary schools at Alale Primary School.

The forum was convened by the Ministry of Education under the auspices of Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project, (SEQIP) which is a World Bank funded project.

The project aims at improving retention of learners in upper primary school and transition to secondary school in 30 counties and 110 sub counties in Arid and Semi-Arid and marginalised areas in Kenya.

Stakeholders noted that teenage pregnancy, early marriages, child labour, female genital mutilation are a big problem.

Njuguna said chiefs will coordinate the return of children back to school. He said that parents would rather marry off their school going daughters to get livestock in form of dowry than sell one to pay school fees.

Chesumei Sub County in Nandi produced over 700 2020 KCSE candidates who will be joining various universities across the nation after attaining the university cut- off marks.

The area Sub County Director of Education Mr David Mwandihi, said the Sub County emerged top in the entire county of Nandi in both KCPE and KCSE results.

“We thus have a purpose to smile and lauding the efforts of all the education stakeholders in the region for their tireless support,” said Mwandihi.

He lauded the area Member of Parliament Wilson Kogo for his immense support in the education sector.

He said the MP has been instrumental in championing for education in the region which has enabled the Sub County to remain on top.

“We have received immense support from the area MP who is very keen in taking the lead in education and on performance,” Mwandihi affirmed.

TURKANA

Turkana Girls tops in exams

By Martin Ruto The Evergreen Turkana Girls once again topped the KCSE 2020 results in Turkana County.

The school situated in the Lorugum hardship area defied all odds including the Covid-19 pandemic to emerge as the best in the county.

The school has a tradition of producing perfect results both in academics and co-curricular activities.

Through guiding and counselling and the good discipline exhibited by students, the school has been among the top three in the county for over a decade.

The KNUT Executive Secretary Turkana County Mr Peter Ewaat Longoli congratulated the school administration and the students for the sterling performance.

Mr Peter Ewaat Longoli, KNUT Executive Secretary Turkana County.

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EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

Kipsinende TTI: A Centre of Excellence in Automotive Engineering

By Benedict Ngetich

K

ipsinende Te c h n i c a l Training Institute is a reputable public institution offering Automotive engineering, Building technology among other courses that do not only prepare trainees for employment opportunities, but also instil an entrepreneurial approach to their chosen careers.

The centre is meeting the growing demand locally, regionally and nationally for teaching in automotive engineering.

The college is offering a range of programmes covering these subjects from 2018 for school leavers.

The next generation of leaders in engineering is being inspired at the centre.

Kipsinende Technical Training Institute is situated in a serene, scenic and picturesque part of Kipkelion West in Kericho County.

Situated at the top of a hill, the institute commands the view of the surrounding Fort Ternan Centre, views of Muhoroni and the hilly sides of Nandi County.

Kipsinende TTI was started in the year 2009 as a Vocational Training Centre then managed by an interim board which was led by a Chairman, since there was no principal by then.

After the community provided 25 acres where the school was constructed, the board started by establishing three classrooms which were commissioned by the then Minister for Higher Education Prof. Margaret Kamar.

In the beginning it was difficult to run the affairs of the institute and the then management resorted to selling hay bales to finance school activities which included payment of salaries for teachers and the subordinate staff.

In 2012 the school started providing computer packages where 30 students enrolled.

In 2014, other courses were introduced pioneered

by Business courses; three students taking certificate in Business Management were

Dr Kipkirui Langat, TVETA Director General.

Joseph Mibey, Principal.

in 2016.

The national government provided Sh70 million for the project while the Constituency Development Fund through the efforts of the then Member of Parliament Mr Magerer Langat gave out Sh10 million to boost the development.

The CDF also funded a water supply system to the institution and acquired water tanks.

In 2018 Kipsinende introduced Automotive Engineering and Building Technology Courses.

The national government provided Sh150 million for the purchase of the latest state-of-the-art Automotive Engineering equipment, which enabled the institute become one of the centres of excellence in automotive engineering with the modern equipment.

The County Government of Kericho led by Governor Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony gave 20 computers.

The school is now under TVET and is among the institutions offering automotive engineering in Kenya.

Since its foundation in 2009 Kipsinende has tremendously improved and has attracted students from all corners of the republic of Kenya who are taking various courses at different levels; Artisan, Certificate and Diploma all which are examinable by KNEC. To cap it all, the school’s alumni have been employed in different parts of the country and are good ambassadors of the college.

The current Principal Mr Joseph Mibey said the institute is geared for greater heights academically and calls upon the people of

Kericho County to assist it through enrolment of students.

Accessibility to the TTI poses a problem since the road leading to it is in a bad state and long. The institute appeals for help from the national and county government. The area MP Hon. Hillary Kosgei promised to assist in getting a bus for the institute to ease transportation of students. He has given Sh540,000 bursary to the college and plans to do more in the next financial year. “I am appreciative of growth of the number of students, but I urge the college to start A.I. course,” the MP said. Area MCA Mr Hezron Kipngeno also promised to finalize the water project and road in the first quarter of the financial year. Residents need a better road through a shorter route which has been agreed by the elders of the neighbouring community.

The Principal said thecollege urgently needs a modern multipurpose hall to enable students hold various activities, a well-equipped modern library and a modern tuition block to cater for the big number of students enrolling.

Among other requests by the administration and students of the institute include levelling of the school field to suit conducting of several co-curriculum activities, provision of a better water supply system and provision of a school bus to enable interaction with the outside world.

The former Chairman of Kipsinende TTI, Prof. Wesley Too urged parents to enrol their children in the technical institute and take advantage of the tuition provided by the government.

Hillary Koskei, Kipkelion West MP.

Prof. Wesley Too, former Board Chairman.

He also made a passionate appeal to the local leadership starting with the Kericho County Governor Prof Paul Chepkwony, Kipkelion West Member of Parliament Mr Hilary Kosgei and the MCA Mr Hezron Kipngeno, to help in the construction of an all-weather road leading to the college.

Prof. Too also urged the leadership to come to the aid of the college and construct a multipurpose hall, and an additional tuition block.

The former Chairman asked the county government Mrs Esther Lagat, through the local MCA to exDeputy Principal. pedite the water supply project which had been initiated enrolled but they sat their exsaying lack of the essential aminations in other schools commodity was a hindrance since Kipsinende was not to the growth of the TTI. registered by then.

Prof. Too was speaking In the same year, the conduring the World Tree Planttinuous construction of the ing Day ceremony which institution began whereby a was held at the college. new one storey building was The Chief Guest was the started and it was completed Kipsinende TTI. Director General of TIVETA Dr. Kipkirui Langat. TEVETA gave 1000 tree seedlings towards greening the institute.

He also urged the area MP to assist in the purchase of a school bus which will assist in transportation of students for important events and functions.

The former Chair revealed the technical school was planning to rebrand in an effort to be attractive to TIVETA Director-General, Dr Kipkirui Former area MP Mr Magerer Langat with the fora wider and national audiLangat planting a tree during The mer board which founded the institute. ence.

Greening Exercise.

Prof Too said the school

needed assistance in setting up a Highway garage where trainees from Kipsinende will be attached.

“Already they are building a town campus at Fort Ternan trading centre, which is hoped to be a faster source of income to the college”, he said.

He thanked the local leadership for their help in the growth of the institute.

The Principal Mibey thanked the government through TIVET for focusing in getting the necessary facilities to equip the college.

Noteworthy is the Sh150 million Automotive Engineering Centre of Excellence over which he beseeched the local community to enlist their children to utilize the facility through training.

“I take this opportunity to call on the community leadership from the grassroots to help in enlisting students to benefit from the state-ofthe-art equipment in the Automotive Engineering unit and other specialized training units available here,” he appealed.

The Director General of TIVETA, Dr. Langat called on local leaders to start a house to house campaign to raise awareness on the current opportunities existing in local TTIs and the government sponsorship programmes.

“Sudents should not be allowed to remain idle in their homes while they could be furthering their studies in the modern TTIs,” he noted.

He at the same time took the opportunity to challenge the neighbouring community to invest in accommodation facilities to ease the stress faced by new students and lecturers.

After touring the facility he noted the great challenge of accommodation and appealed to the public to engage in public private partnerships to build good hostels for the staff and students which he said will eventually uplift the economy of the area.

Dr. Langat urged Governors and MPs to develop new Vocational training centres in their areas and upgrade the existing ones since the benefit to the community is great.

He promised that the government will channel more assistance to Kipsinende TTI. “Kipsinende is one of our centres of excellence in the region in automotive engineering after the provision of the latest training equipment in the industry,” he said and challenged the neighbouring community to utilize the facilities by enrolling their children to do the courses.

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS KIPSINENDE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COLLEGE Ministry of Education KIPSINENDE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COLLEGE State Department of Technical and Vocational Training Ministry Of Education P.O. 28, 20209, State Department of BOX Technical and Vocational Training FORT-TERNAN. P.O.0721661791/0711634556 BOX 28, 20209,FORT-TERNAN. Tel:

21

Tel: 0721661791/0711634556

E-mail: kipsinendetechnical@gmail.com E-mail: kipsinendetechnical@gmail.com Website: www.kipsinendeinstitute.ac.ke Website: www.kipsinendeinstitute.ac.ke INTAKE 2021

BUSINESS STUDIES DEPARTMENT

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NO OF DURATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS TERMS Diploma in Supplies Chain Management (Module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Accountancy (Regular) KCSE MG C9 Terms 3 Years Diploma in Cooperative Management ( module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Human Resource Management (module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Business Management (module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in social work and community development (module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Secretarial Studies and Office Management (module I, II& III) KCSE MG C7 Terms 2⅟2 Years Diploma in Marketing (module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Banking and Finance (Regular) KCSE MG C9 Terms 3 Years Diploma in Applied Statistics (module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Road Transport Management (module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Certificate in Supplies Chain Management (module I, II & III) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Certificate in Social Work and Community Development (module I &II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Certificate in Human Resource Management (module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Certificate in Business Management (Module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Certificate in Sales and Marketing (Module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Certificate in Accountancy ( Regular) KCSE MG D+ 6 Terms 2 Years Certificate in Cooperative Management ( Regular) KCSE MG D+ 6 Terms 2 Years Certificate in Secretarial Studies ( module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Certificate in Secretarial Single and Group Studies KCSE MG D 6 Terms 2 Years Certificate in Marketing (module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years certificate in Banking and Finance (Regular) KCSE MG D 6 Terms 2 Years certificate in Applied Statistics (module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Artisan in Storekeeping ( Regular) KCSE MG D3 Terms 1 Year Artisan in Clerk/Typist ( Regular) KCSE MG D3 Terms 1Year INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) DEPARTMENT Diploma in Information Communication Technology (Module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Computer Science (DCS) (Regular) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Information Studies ( Regular) KCSE MG C3 Terms 1 Year Certificate in Information Communication Technology (Module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Certificate in Library Information Studies (module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years AUTOMOTIVE AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Artisan in motor vehicle mechanics (Regular) KCSE MG D3Terms 1 Year Artisan in General Agriculture ( Regular) KCSE MG D3 Terms 1 Year Artisan in Welding and Fabrication ( Regular ) KCSE MG D3 Terms 1 Year Certificate in Welding and Fabrication ( module I & II ) KCSE MG D 5 Terms 1 Year Certificate in Automotive Engineering ( module I & II ) KCSE MG D 5 Terms 1⅟2 Years Certificate in General Agriculture ( module I & II) KCSE MG D 4 Terms 1⅟4 Years Diploma in General Agriculture ( module I, II & III) KCSE MG C6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Automotive Engineering ( Module I, II & III ) KCSE MG C- with 7 Terms 2⅟2 Years C- in maths/phy ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING Artisan in Electrical Installation (Regular) KCSE MG D3 Terms 1 Year Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Module I & II) KCSE MG D 5 Terms 1⅟2 Years Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Regular) KCSE MG D+ 6 Terms 2 Years Diploma in Electrical Engineering (power option) ( module I, II & III) KCSE MG C7 Terms 2⅟2 Years

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BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Artisan in Plumbing (Regular) KCSE MG D3 Terms Artisan in Masonry (Regular) KCSE MG D6 Terms Certificate in Plumbing (Regular) KCSE MG D 6 Term Certificate in Building Construction Technology (Module I & II) KCSE MG D 5 Terms Certificate in Land Survey (Regular) KCSE MG D 6 Terms Certificate in Road construction Technology (Regular) KCSE MG D 6 Terms Diploma in Quantity Survey (Regular) KCSE MG C9 Terms Diploma in Civil Engineering (Module I, II & III) KCSE MG C7 Terms Diploma in Building Technology (Module I, II & III) KCSE MG C7 Terms

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KTTI – All correspondence to Principal

TERTIARY INSTITUTI 22 EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

KICD faulted for raising math TTC grade have applied to be teachers in the country.

“Up to now only five hundred students have applied to be teachers in the whole country because of the new changes,” he said The Kolanya zone Curriculum Support officer Evans Masai disclosed that in the whole of Teso North only one applicant managed to meet the new requirements out of fifty.

He asked students to put more effort in the Mathematics subject, downEvans Masai Kolanya zone curplaying assertions by Olung’a that the riculum support officer. Photo/ subject is not necessary for all teachers.

Charles Ojiambo “Mathematics is very important to every teacher even those teaching CRE

By Charles Ojiambo and so let’s encourage our students in schools to work hard and achieve better Kenya National Union of Teachers grades in Mathematics as well as other (Knut) has faulted Kenya Institute of subjects,” he said.

Curriculum Development (KICD) for They condemned cases of parents raising grades for students who want to and learners ganging up against heads of join Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs). schools and holding demos against them Knut Western Kenya branch chair- due to very trivial reasons. person Paul Olung’a criticised the instiBusia county has witnessed detute for increasing the minimum Math- monistrations in schools such as Alomoematics grade to C plain for students doi primary in Teso South, Bumutiru in undertaking diploma courses in teaching. Butula, Namboboto in Samia and Nam“I’m wondering what a teacher go- nyweda secondary in Budalangi. ing to teach Christian Religion EducaSome of the demonstrations were tion requires Mathematics for? Is it to due to poor performance of the schools count those people Jesus Christ fed?” in the national examinations while others asked Olung’a. were due to alleged misconduct by head According to Olung’a, that has led teachers. to decline in the number of students who

NS

Shedding light on TTCs, TVETS and Other Colleges

Artisans increase after surge in polytechnic student numbers

By Denis Lumiti The number of learners who have joined the 63 county polytechnics in Kakamega County has increased from less than 3,000 to over 10,000 in the past seven years.

The County Executive Committe Member (CECM) for Education, Science and Technology George Lutomia said the growth in numbers has also increased a new pool of skilled workers in the county.

“Many of these graduates are either in formal employment or in private practice,” he said.

Lutomia said the learners had acquired skills in electrical and electronics, building and construction, fashion design and dress-making and hair dressing and food therapy.

“The other courses include agribusiness, metal processing, plumbing, food processing and Information Communications and Technology,” he added.

He said devolving the polytechnics and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) had helped improve

Principals alarmed by decline in enrolment

By Tony Wafula

Dr. George Lutomia, Kakamega County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education. education across the country.

The CECM was speaking when he visited Shianda and Matungu polytechnics in Mumias East and Matungu SubCounties respectively to assess the levels of training offered by the institutions.

He said the polytechnics will be awarded tenders to produce and supply improvised modern metal and wooden desks, masks, staff uniforms to create new revenue streams for the institutions.

Private teachers training centers heads have decried the declining number of students because of changing government policies.

Among them is the Principal West Kenya Teachers college, Patrick Nandasaba who said the college now has only 100 compared to the initial enrolment figure of over 400 students.

Nandasaba said many tutors have been declared redundant and asked the government to reconsider the reregistration of PI teachers training.

Consequently, fees collection has gone down following a recent change that scrapped the training of P1 teachers.

In Bungoma a good number of private institutions have remained closed as students flock to Technical Vocational

TVETs key in zero wastage strategy

By Erick Nyayiera Parents have been challenged to take advantage of the government’s zero wastage strategy to help students who fail to attain university grades.

Nyanza Regional Education and Learning Initiative Technical Advisor, Mr Thomas Andiwo Obondo said they should ensure their children join various tertiary institutions in the country.

He said all students have equal opportunity of learning various professional trades in tertiary institutions under the government’s strategy of zero wastage.

Besides the available slots in universities and middle level colleges, the Ministry of Education under the zero wastage strategy has invested heavily in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

Students can undertake

plying through KUCCPS is that they have the opportunity to apply for government support towards tuition payment and pocket money to reduce the burden on parents” he said.

Opportunity

Andiwo reminded the students who already applied for courses while in school that they have the opportunity to revise their applications through the KUCCPS portal which is Andiwo Obondo during presentation of pupils’ open. books. File/Photo He on the other hand called for a policy guideline for bursary support various courses beginning certificate courses, while from craft to diploma level, D- and E grades can apply schemes, noting that the inopening a window for stu- for craft courses” Andiwo tention of the programmes has been misinterpreted by dents to pursue their desired explained. careers from any level acHe urged students to political leaders.

“Bursaries need to be cording to the grades they apply through the Kenya obtained in high schools.

Universities and Colleges given to bright needy stu“Nobody is left out, Central Placement System dents in our society, what those who scored C+ and (KUCCPS) so that they can currently happens is the above qualify for univer- benefit from government unfortunate situation where sity, those with C- and above support besides the HELB the issuance and allocation qualify for diploma courses, loans that they are eligible of these bursaries have been those with D and above for. “The advantage of ap- politicized,” regretted An-

diwo.

The influence and political patronage has seen many bright vulnerable students miss out on opportunities in education He also called for the harmonization of bursary support schemes to guard against duplication of the bursaries where one student benefits from different bursary kitties yet others miss out on the education support.

Said Andiwo: “We have situations where a student gets bursary support from the County government, the NG- CDF and NGAAF, when most deserving cases end up dropping out of school, this must be corrected.”

He said that all the kitties should be harmonized to work together and ensure the schemes achieve their desired goals of ensuring a lot of bright, needy and deserving children get the bursary support.

Patrick Nandasaba, Principal West Kenya Teachers College. Photo /Tony Wafula and Education Training Authority (TVETA) institutions.

Nandasaba said many tutors have been declared redundant and asked the government to reconsider the resumption of PI teachers training.

He blamed the government for failing to follow the right procedure in training the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) teachers saying they were taken through a partial training which a good number of them did not capture well.

EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

23

Kisumu RTI’s marine school launched Fredrick Odiero The opening of a marine school in Kisumu is expected to boost exploration of resources in the great lakes region.

The Kenya Railway Training Institute Marine School has opened its doors to new students and is expected to admit learners from East African Community countries.

Construction works at the Marine School Kisumu Campus commenced in 2019.

President Uhuru Kenyatta Kiziili Otieno- Director, and his Burundi counterpart Eva- Railway Training Institute. riste Ndayishimiye presided over its opening recently.

The duo also opened the KeShe added that was connya shipyards limited at the same structed at a total cost of Sh470 location. million through grants from the The school is expected to World Bank. play a pivotal role in enhancing Otieno added that courses to bilateral trade among the partner be offered there will be competistates. tive within the region.

Kenya Railways TrainShe said phase two will witing School Director Mrs. Milly ness the construction of classKizili Otieno says the facility is rooms, library and a resource the only one of its kind in the re- centre. gion.

‘The basis is to be able to put

up a facility that will enhance inland water competences,” she said and added that people were going to Dar-es-Salaam to be trained.

Otieno said water transport offers many careers, among them waiters and chefs, engineers, navigators and captains.

She said the school has been constructed by grants from the World Bank through the Kenya Transport Sector Support Programme in Conjunction with Kenya Government.

“The country will maintain its high ranking at the International Maritime Organisation which is a United Nations specialised agency with the responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the preservation of Marine life because of the college.’ She says.

The modern facility is set to offer training programmes geared towards building human capacity in the maritime industry and has capacity to admit 1,000 students.

‘The school was rebuilt as part of the revamped Kisumu

Government to open more TVETs

By Wasike Elvis Principal Secretary State Department for Vocational and Technical Training Margaret Mwakima says the government will open more technical institutions across the country.

Speaking at the Eldoret National Polytechnic during their 10th annual conference, the PS said the government is determined to equip more students with technical training expertise.

“Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will equip students with technical skills that will help them earn a living,” said Mwakima.

She said they will ensure that each of our 47 counties has at least one National Polytechnic and each sub-county has a TVET training Institution.

She told the students that TVET training has been made cheaper to increase enrolment in such institutions.

The PS expressed confidence in the programmes whose enrolment has increased by 400% due to centralized placement as well as provision of loans from Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans.

“Technical education is fundamental in the quest for the country to be fully industrialized by 2030,” she added.

She said young people are in dire need of the skills to produce competencies that are required by industries to participate in nation building.

To achieve those goals, re-

Dr. Margaret Mwakima, Principal Secretary State Department for Vocational and Technical Training.

She said they will ensure that each of our 47 counties has at least one National Polytechnic and each subcounty has a TVET training Institution. search and innovation is the way to have competencies required in the Labour market and industry,” she added.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said his adminis-

tration will sponsor the training of a further 1,000 youths in wielding and hailed the national government’s initiative of setting up a TTI in each Sub County.

He called on stakeholders in the TVET sub-sector to assist the mass production of goods being developed in TVET institutions to benefit the country.

“There are so many innovations in these TVET institutions and the only way we can benefit from them as a country is to see how they can be produced in mass for the local market,” Mandago said.

He also called on the Ministry of Education to consider elevating Eldoret National polytechnic to be a University so that the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) can become a National Polytechnic.

The Eldoret National Polytechnic currently has over 15,000 students and its Chief Principal Josphat Sawe says the institution currently accounts for over 16% of the workforce in Eldoret town.

Sawe further said they have been working closely with various players in major sectors in the country to ensure their students get the internship that exposes them to the job market.

“We’ve found it necessary for the institution to partner with the industries like sugar factories, hospitals, textile companies and hotel industry where we have linkages and attach students to enable them to gain experience,” he said.

The school is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral trade among the partner states. port which has been renovated to a tune of Sh3 billion.’ Otieno says.

The ultra-modern facility is set to offer training programs geared towards building human resource capacity in the marine sector.

It is equipped with facilities such as a special training pool, a firefighting training facility, stan-

dard hostels for 160 students, 40 executive rooms, and a conference room.

The marine school has adopted the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) syllabus to equip and certify Lake Victoria vessel operators with skills and competencies in safety, protection, and preservation of the marine environment.

The training centre will play a key role in fostering regional integration through training and enhance trade among the East Africa countries.

It currently offers Coxswain Level 3, Diploma in International Freight Management and Certificate in Maritime Transport Operations with more courses lined up as the facility expands.

The Kisumu port renovation is part of the government’s plan in restoring the once vibrant east African hub of Kisumu.

The school has a swimming pool to train seafarers, standard hostels for 160 students, a hotel with conference facilities, while phase two will have libraries and a resource centre.

Mandago tells youths to join TVETs

By Wasike Elvis Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has asked young adults to join technical and vocational education training institutions.

He urged them to take advantage of the current Government policy of supporting students enrolling to technical institutions by joining the institutions run by the Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) .

A student who joins a TVET institution is eligible for a loan from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) plus a Sh30,000 government grant.

Speaking during an educational tour in Tulwet/Chuiyat Ward, Kesses Sub County, Mandago said the policy to support TVET students is motivated by the government’s need to impart technical skills to the young generation.

“Those who have completed their KCSE should enroll in TVET institutions because this opportunity won’t last forever,” said Mandago.

He told school leavers that such courses will help them get self-employment after completion of their studies.

“You won’t regret doing that because students who have gone through the technical courses do not go around looking for employment,” Mandago added.

Mandago further advised

them to focus on courses that can enable them to be self-employed after completion of their studies in colleges.

“I encourage Uasin Gishu youth to take up water-related courses at the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) and other institutions since government priority now is on water projects and

Jackson Mandago, Uasin Gishu Governor.

Photo/Elvis Wasike skills around it will be much needed,” he advised.

He further said courses in animal health at various courses around the country were equally appealing to the job market in the region.

“You can be a veterinary officer when you have a diploma in animal health and because Artificial Insemination services are in high demand, you can be your own employer,” said Mandago.

EDUCATION NEWS

24

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

COAST KWALE

MOMBASA

Alarm over increased defilement cases

By Hilton Mwabili Cases of defilement are on the rise in Mombasa according to the department of Children services which estimates daily cases to average between two and three.

County Children Coordinator Philip Nzenge revealed the cases could be more than 100 in a month, as some cases go unreported.

“We estimate the cases to be more than 100 per month because we receive between two to three cases daily. The cases could be more, remember there are those which go unreported,” Nzenge said in Mombasa.

Most of the cases are said to be in Kisauni, Nyali and Changamwe sub counties according to the co-ordinator.

In some of the most recent reported cases, a one year old infant was reportedly defiled by three relatives in the Kisauni area.

In another incident, which occurred early this month, a Madrasa teacher was reportedly caught in the act of defiling a 15-year-old boy inside a Mosque in Kiembeni area at night.

Last week Police in Mombasa arrested a school

bus conductor who reportedly defiled a five-year-old pupil.

It is alleged the conductor defiled the minor on May 18, before dropping her at her home also in Kiembeni area.

The matter was reported at Kiembeni Police Station

We are training about 26 community volunteers for children services who will be placed at the community level to help monitor these cases and report to us instantly.

before the suspected pedophile was arrested.

All the above cases have occurred in less than a month.

“Actually we receive these reports daily. While Kilifi County has been known for teenage pregnancy, when it comes to defilements, cases in Mombasa could be higher

Lamu lauded for good KCSE results

By Tsozungu Kombe Lamu County Director of Education Joshua Kaga has lauded secondary schools in the region for producing impressive Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results.

Speaking to Education News from Lamu town recently, Kaga said the 2020 KCSE exams performance improved greatly compared to 2019 results.

He further revealed that gender balance was also realized in the performance.

He singled out Lamu Girls High School which emerged top with a mean score of 5.9 followed by Mpeketoni Boys High School in Lamu West with a 5.7 mean score.

The other school that improved was Sacred Heart High School which managed to get a mean score of 5.3.

“The impressive per-

than Kilifi,” pointed out the co-ordinator.

Last month residents of Ziwa la Ng’ombe area of Nyali Sub County complained about an emergence of a gang of teenage boys who were reportedly preying on under 10-year-old boys in the area.

According to Baya Mitsanze, a Ziwa la Ng’ombe elder, the said gang has reportedly been taking advantage of innocent boys from poor family backgrounds.

“Innocent boys of tender age are being defiled by big boys who take advantage of their poor situation because they know they have no one to protect them and speak out for them. I am afraid if this trend continues the future of these boys could be as well as be spoiled,” reckoned Mitsanze who is also a researcher of Mijikenda culture.

He said the gang comprises boys aged between 14 and 17 some who are in secondary schools.

Nyali Sub County Police Commander Daniel Masaba confirmed that officers were dispatched on the ground and arrested one of the suspects believed to be the leader of the gang and was assisting police in investigations.

By Amoto Ndiewo Some activists have blamed the introduction of e-learning in schools for heightening online sexual exploitation of children in Kwale County.

Kwale Child Rights Network Paralegal officer Harun Omariba said some unsuspecting girls fall prey to sexual predators they meet online.

Omariba blamed illiteracy and poor parental care and supervision of their children’s online education programmes for the exposure to internet dating and group chatting sites that has seen many girls end up being exploited by sex predators.

“Human rights organisation’s receive at least five cases of children missing daily because instead of elearning the children took the opportunity to chat and watch porn,’’ he lamented.

He said most of the girls fall between the age bracket of 13 and 17 years and are unable to identify the internet pals simply because the predators lure them, using fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts.

“You also can’t rule out poverty and unemployment entrapping the girls, some of whom have been lured to commercial sex during the nine month Covid-19 break after their parents lost jobs,” he added.

Predators lure them, using fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts.

Most parents who were working in the hotel industry lost jobs when the hotels were shut and the idle girls who were also at home sought alternative means to survive.

He asked different stakeholders to join hands to tame the vice that is destroying the future of the Kwale girl-child.

Last month Human Development Agenda (HUDA) raised alarm over increased number of cases of teen pregnancies “About 15 cases of child pregnancies are reported to us every month,’’ said HUDA officer Kashi Jermaine.

LAMU

Kwale parents urged to apply for bursaries

By Staff Reporter

Ms.Mwanasiti Mwabonje, Lamu County TSC Director. formance in 2020 KCSE in the region was as a results of concerted efforts between students, teachers, parents and other education stakeholders”, explained Kaga.

At the same time, he urged all education stakeholders in the area to work as a team in order to improve education standards.

He also asked them to consider motivating students and teachers as a way of encouraging them to work harder and post better results in the 2021 KCSE exams.

Following the rising cases, Nzenge said his office has come up with a raft of measures under ‘Spot it Stop It’ programme. They are aiming at taming the perpetrators and curbing the cases.

“We are training about 26 community volunteers for children services who will be placed at the community level to help monitor these cases and report to us instantly. These volunteers will be supported with smart phones and airtime,” explained the co-ordinator adding that the programme is being undertaken through support of Plan International.

Further to the above measure, he hinted at plans to form a committee comprising the DCI Child Protection Unit, human rights organisations, police and the office of Director of Public Prosecutions to address defilement matters in the county.

“I want to form a committee. This committee will be able to sit even virtually.

The office will be looking at defilement matters and will even be assisting victims of defilement with the pro bono lawyers. We want to help the children because they are innocent,” he said.

E-learning blamed for online child abuse

Parents in Kwale County have been urged to apply for scholarships for students joining form one next month.

The Kwale County Executive Committee Member for Education Munga Mangale says they allocated Sh400 million for scholarships to help bright students from poor backgrounds.

He asked parents to apply for the bursaries early to enable the county government start processing cheques and send them to their respective schools.

He disclosed that there will be no single bright secondary school student from poor family who will stay at home in the county due to lack of school fees.

Mungale asked all education stakeholders in the region to ensure that all school age going children attend school without fail.

He also warned parents who will refuse to take their children to school that they will be arrested and charged.

Teachers run for dear lives in Boni

By Amoto Ndiewo Many teachers serving in Boni, Lamu County have fled from schools following a recent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on an army vehicle that claimed lives of seven soldiers.

Pupils in Mararani and Milimani Mangai areas in the terror prone region in Lamu County are stranded after their tutors fled fearing they would be targeted next.

According to Lamu Education Director Joshua Kaaga, only Basuba and Kiangwe schools remain open with a few teachers . ‘’Sadly the parents have refused to release their children to school fearing that the militants might target the learning institutions in attempt to scuttle secular education ,’’ said Derick Kyalo a teacher in Basuba.

The five schools were reopened in mid-January this year after a seven year closure due to frequent terror threats by the Al Shabaab militants who vandalised and torched some schools.

In an attempt to secure education for the marginalized Boni children the government ferried more than 250 students to Mokowe Arid Zone School by boat.

The day and boarding school was established in 1992 to cater for learners from other marginalized communities like Orma Sanye .

“Boni children have to board since their homes are more than 300 km away,’’ said Kaaga who added that secondary school students face similar challenges.

During the reopening the government airlifted teachers and pupils to their respective schools, with teachers housed within

security camps to ensure safety.

Kaaga said the major road leading to the expansive Boni Forest is prone to frequent attacks by the militants who plant IEDs to attack security personnel.

He expressed optimism that learning would soon resume in the area as plans are afoot to ferry students and persuade the teachers to get back to work.

“We met the teachers at the county commissioner‘s office and their main concern is insecurity which the county commissioner assured them. We will walk the talk after half term, I am positive of an amicable solution,’’ said Kaaga .

Lennox Charles, a former student at Wiyoni Secondary School, receiving treatment at Langoni Nursing Home in Lamu County after he was injured in a terrorist attack. File/Photo

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

25

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Hard work, discipline steer Nyangwa High to glory

By Kamundia Muriithi

F

or the students of Nyangwa Boys High School, the secret to academic and co-curriculum glory is discipline and hard work.

On a recent visit to the school, two things stood out: the orderliness of the school and the student’s discipline.

The school, which is located in the relatively dry Mbeere South, has been doing well in national exams over the years and was second in Embu County in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a mean of 8.3442 (B-).

Its compound is inviting with neatly planted shade trees that offer relief from the region’s scorching sun.

The school is kept immaculately clean. Erected along the walking paths are several plaques that carry inspirational messages to spur students to excel.

Only when a break time bell tolls that the blissful silence is shattered by the livening voices of the about 1,300 students, 62 teachers (55 employed

by Teachers Service Commission and seven by the board of management).

Out in the compound, the students observe punctuality as if their lives depend on it. ‘No time wasting’ seems a mantra of this school.

According to the school Principal Nyagah Kinyua, the school’s academic and co-curricular triumph is pegged on students’ discipline and their hard work and input from the dedicated teaching staff and support from the parents and the community’s goodwill.

In the 2020 KCSE, the school had As2, A-14, B+27, B52, B-58, C+ 46, C12, and C- 4.

The results showed an upward trajectory in the last four years. In the 2017 KCSE, the school had a mean of 6.3792, a drop from the 2016 KCSE, which stood at 6.6372.

As a top-performing school, Nyangwa Boys has for years been taking a large number of students to university.

In 2020 KCSE, 199 out of the 215 candidates scored a grade C+ above to qualify for direct entry to university.

“Only 16 candidates didn’t qualify for university admission meaning our transition rate was

Nyaga T. Kinyua , Nyangwa High School Principal.

92.58 percent. We add value to all our learners, and even those who didn’t perform well in KCPE make an improvement in KCSE”, saidthe principal.

Nyagah, who joined the school in 2018, exudes confidence that they are now in the league of national schools, having moved the mean score from 6.3792 in 2017 to the latest 8.3442.

Consequently, the school has this year set an ambitious target of a mean score of 9.2.

He added that the school program allows time for co-curricular activities to nurture talents and innovation to facilitate a holistic formation of the learners.

Nyaga pointed out that they

ensure every student is aware of the syllabus scope they are expected to cover. They thus remain on their toes, even reading ahead of class time.

He said competent and professionally trained teachers where the school goes an extra mile to train them on marking exams with the Kenya National Examinations Council or external examiners.

“We have also partnered with other academic giants such as Alliance High, Nkubu, Chogoria Girls, Moi High Mbiruri and Murang’a High to borrow their best practices, which we then expose to our students”, he said.

Nyaga adds that the institution has a vibrant chaplaincy that facilitates spiritual nourishment and counseling for students and teachers and helps address their tough issues.

He also explained that the school board of management and stakeholders provide support to ensure students remain in school instead of being sent home to collect fees.

“The board introduced an endowment fund while the Mbeere South National Government Constituency Development Fund issues bursaries to help needy students,” said Nyaga.

KCSE ANALYSIS TABLE

Career Compass wheel in the school compound to motivate students.

He cites cases of learners who had huge fee balances and were helped to pay some of it by their fellow students.

“We had one such a student who, after being helped by his schoolmates to pay his balance, impressed when he scored a B+. We also had another student who remained at home for long due to lack of school fees, and it reached a point we just allowed him to remain in class. He performed well,” said Nyaga.

The principal, however, concedes that the issue of unpaid fees is one of the challenges they face. He said they are working with the board and the CDF to tackle the problem.

Facility wise, the school has 24 classrooms. Nyaga said if they add seven more classrooms, it will help reduce the huge numbers per class.

He revealed that their current hostels are relatively insufficient, making a case for expanding the same. Notably, a new hostel is already under construction.

Other facilities that the school urgently requires are a fourth science laboratory, a computer laboratory and a library.

He said they are coming up with a strategic plan that will outline ways

to construct those facilities.

Nyaga added that they have planned a meeting with the old boys in August. The school management expects the alumni to assist in facilities expansion.

The school has embarked on a series of income-generating activities geared towards offsetting some of the school’s expenses and ensures students lead better lives.

The Deputy Principal in charge of Administration Mr Kariuki took Education News on a tour of the school’s bakery, posho mill, slaughterhouse, and piggery units.

“Our student population is high, and it makes economic sense to bake bread for their consumption where each consumes a quarter of a loaf,” he said.

He added that through slaughtering livestock for the student’s protein consumption requirements, they save a lot of money compared to buying beef from butcheries.

Other things that stand out in Nyangwa are the CCTVs that monitor activities going on in the compound and classrooms. In the same vein are the German shepherd dogs that beef up security by keeping intruders and drug peddlers away.

YEAR

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

E

M/SCORE

M/GRADE

2020

2

14

27

52

58

46

12

4

0

0

0

0

8.3442

B-

2019

0

10

31

49

52

45

45

18

5

1

0

0

7.7148

B-

Inside Nyangwa Boys’ High School bakery.

Some students of Nyangwa Boys’ High School pose for a photo with the Deputy Principal in charge of Administration Mr Kariuki.

Writings on walls and plaques in the school compound to motivate students.

School Posho Mill.

FOCUS ON KESSHA REGIONAL CONFERENCES 26

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

TAITA TAVETA

EMBU

Schools hit by Covid-19, says KESSHA

Teachers want promotions included in new CBA

By John Majau Teachers in Embu want the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to factor promotions in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

They argued that including promotions in the CBA will not only motivate teachers, but it will also ensure they don’t stagnate in one grade for many years.

They regretted that despite getting stuck in one grade for many years, they are also required to undergo interviews before progressing to the next grade.

They want TSC to review their CBA which expires this month to address challenges of promotions once and for all.

The Embu Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Benson Njue said the new CBA should address career progression.

“There are several bottlenecks in the current CBA that we want addressed because of the many grades that are due for promotion,” Njue said.

He said most secondary school teachers are in grade C and they must attend four interviews to move from C1 to C4 which lengthens the process.

He was speaking during

a conference for secondary school heads in North Imenti, Meru County.

He said the CBA on promotion should be negotiated afresh in order to give teachers a fairer and better chance to progress

Benson Njue, Embu KESSHA Chairman.

Photo/John Majau in career, noting that proper timelines should be well spelt out.

Njue said teachers have a challenge dealing with students who often defy the Ministry of Health regulations.

“Older teachers are at risk and more vulnerable to Covid-19 because society is not adhering to the ministry’s guidelines and hence students learn from the same,” he said.

Kagumo High School Principal Silas Mwirigi ad-

By Hilton Mwabili

vised teachers nearing retirement to start investing in farming in preparation for life after their profession.

“When you retire nobody will remember what you did no matter how

Schools are chocking in a series of challenges prompted by the Covid-19 crisis, says Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA).

The heads are concerned that the disruption of the school calendar following closure and reopening of schools due to Covid-19 left most schools in a cloud of confusion with many teachers not sure of “whether what they are doing was right.”

The principals are also concerned by a recent move to leave out sub county principals in the recently concluded job promotion interviews.

They expressed fears that the move could be part of the plan to convert sub county principals into primary school head teachers, which is an extension of the junior secondary school.

This emerged in the ongoing meetings by Kessha principals from various counties who met at separate hotels in Mombasa to chart a path forward on education post Covid-19 crisis.

Noting that sub county principals form the bulkiest part of school heads in most counties, the Kessha principals questioned the relevance of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education

Kagumo Boys High School Principal Dr. Silas Mwirigi. Photo/ John Majau good your school performed. You will only be left with your family,” Mwirigi said.

Nanyuki Boys High School Principal Oliver Minish said head teachers are sometimes stressed and do not have time for personal enagegements.

“They need to take time off especially during weekends and relax while doing things that they like.

I go out and dance to relieve stress,” said Minishi.

Teachers (KUPPET), after the union appeared to have abandoned the plight of sub county principals in the promotion interview saga.

“About 50 schools out of the 87 represented here are sub county schools. So

County Director TSC Taita Taveta County Peter Mugo (centre), Chairman KESSHA Taita Taveta County, Douglas Mkongo Madeda (left) and Bonface Ngugi, Deputy Director TSC Taita Taveta County. whenever they are blocked it triggers concern,” said Taita Taveta Kessha Chapter Chairman Douglas Mkongo.

He cited the irregular flow of capitation to schools coupled with the disruption of the school calendar as issues that also continue to frustrate operations that are affected by the covid-19 crisis.

“Remember we are in 2021 but we are handling what we ought to have handled in 2020. We have start-

KISII

Kisii County heads root for value addition

By Erick Nyayiera Principals in Kisii County have resolved to adopt a value addition policy to help poor performing schools improve grades.

The value addition approach was discussed at the annual County Kenya Secondary Schools Heads As- Prof. Henry Onderi, sociation (KESSHA) confer- Kisii County Education ence held in Kisumu.

Board Chair.

KESSHA chairlady Joyce Orioki disclosed that the well thought out initiative is a ro- quality grades and university bust methodology laden with entry in the 2020 KCSE exams,” said Orioki. key tools of improvement.

She praised the stellar perShe told the over 350 delegates that the approach has formance of schools such as the potential to help schools Riokindo High School, Kisii School, Ichuni, Kereri Girls, do well.

“Kisii County registered Nyabururu Girls and Cardinal great improvement in terms of Otunga among others.

She said they will factor

Joyce Orioki, Kisii County KESSHA chairlady. in all academically struggling schools and engage them vigorously in fruitful learning experiences of key subjects in the syllabus that they find challenging and make them feel proud.

That will be done through establishing networks and linkages with top performing

schools where exchange of teaching experiences and joint examinations will be accorded to the low performing secondary schools.

She added that even low schools recorded improvements in the 2020 KCSE results in comparison with the entry behaviour.

“Kisii County had the highest numbers of Covid-19 infections but we managed to squeeze our limited time for adjustment,” stated Orioki, the Principal Nyabururu Girls High School.

She faulted the negative media attention that depicted the county as having highest numbers of teenage pregnancies over the last year, noting that the issue was over publicized.

ed the second term and at the same time going to the third term,” Mkongo said.

He added that it was unclear which term they are currently handling and which term’s capitation to expect because the calendar

“The concerted efforts by the media to create stigma about teenage pregnancies in Kisii County didn’t affect us, we showed the world that we were above the smear campaigns,” she said.

She also appealed to education stakeholders to help principals of some secondary schools who are threatened

is confusing.

“We don’t know whether we are waiting for the capitation to conclude 2020 or the start of 2021.

We expect the school’s financial auditor to clarify that for us,” Mkongo told journalists in Mombasa.

Mkongo also decried the heavy responsibilities principals are currently handling apart from being the overall person in charge of the school.

by rogue Boards of Management (BOMs).

She cautioned that the conflict pitting principals and BOMs was hurting their operations but they won’t be cowed to serve selfish interests of the boards and injure their careers.

Speaking during the conference, Kisii County Education Board Chairman Prof.

Henry Onderi castigated the Principals and teachers for chronic absenteeism.

Principals from Kisii County during the conference. Photo/Erick Nyayiera

FOCUS ON KESSHA REGIONAL CONFERENCES JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

27

EDUCATION NEWS

HOMA BAY

Principals urged to position their schools above storms

By Erick Nyayiera The Homa Bay County Director of Education Fred Kiiru has urged school heads to engage in transformative leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He asked them to adapt technological evolution, revolution and also to develop systems for continuity during crises and think strategically when faced with novel situations and challenges.

“During these difficult times of challenges in our schools occasioned by the Ccvid-19, only innovative organizations survive,” Said Kiiru.

That is because they quickly innovate new ways of doing things and come up with exciting and workable solutions to prevailing challenges.

The director made the remarks during the county’s Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) conference themed “Education in the new Era” held in Kisumu.

He noted that the county suffered the effects of the

pandemic after the government closed the schools from March 15th 2020 to secure safety of learners and teachers.

Principals had to grapple with increased costs of running schools due to extra demands for facilities, provision of water, hand washing materials, sanitizers, thermo guns and other strict health measures.

“I know that some private schools were forced to close down, job losses were witnessed in the education sector which is a major employer,” he regretted.

The county witnessed a rise in gender based violence cases which had negative effect on the learners when they were compelled to stay home for a longer period.

Reports from almost all the sub-counties indicate that there was worrying incidences of mostly occasioned by the hard economic times.

“In Homa Bay County we also witnessed rapid increase in teenage pregnancies. Over 7300 cases were reported by the end of year 2020,” he said.

Fred Kiiru, Homa Bay County Director of Education.

Kiiru added: “A number of students were unaccounted for when schools resumed after the long Covid-19 break in both primary and secondary schools which affected retention and completion rates.”

The County Director also reported an increase in truancy as some learners were exposed to drugs and substance abuse during the prolonged schools closure.

“These learners become a threat to other learners and teachers due to resultant indiscipline in schools,” he said.

Also reported was involvement in child labour which was very rampant in the fishing industry, beaches,

Lack of funds cripples day secondary schools There are fears of operations in day secondary schools in Trans Nzoia County collapsing because of lack of funds.

County KESSHA chairman John Murumba told Education News that the schools are doomed unless the fund- Trans Nzoia County KESSHA chair John ing improves.

Speaking during the Murumba. annual KESSHA conference held in Kisumu Murumba. town, Murumba regretHe said some parted that funding has been ents lost jobs during the very irregular and unprepandemic and cannot pay dictable. fees promptly yet schools The Chief Principal are not supposed to send Goseta Boys High School them home for fees. noted that school pro“We are worried grammes and activities about the July Form 1 have suffered immensely, intake because schools thanks to the underfundwill not be able to maning which has negatively age with the current state affected learners who deof affairs. serve better services.

Murumba added that “Because of the Cothey won’t be able to pay vid-19 situation and efthe Board of Managefects, fees payment is a ment (BOM) employed challenge putting stress teachers and other nonon financial capabiliteaching staff who are ties of our schools,” said

sand harvesting and sugar cane farms.

Influx of some students into the boda boda industry also posed a real challenge in tracing them back to schools since their introduction to the “cash money” trade caused many not to wish to go back.

Kiiru said overall, psycho-social problems increased especially trauma, grief, depression, anxiety and fear. “These mental health issues have had a deep impact on the learning and teaching in our education secto,” he added.

County KESSHA chairman Hezbon Nyakongo appreciated the support of

Principals from Homa Bay County during the conference. Photo/Erick Nyayiera

BOMET

TRANS NZOIA

By Erick Nyayiera

Hezbon Nyakongo, Homa Bay County KESSHA chairman.

the Ministry of Education in funding and provision of equipment to schools.

He also hailed the Teachers Service Commission for working with schools to address teacher shortage thus creating an enabling environment for schools to do better.

He however pointed out the challenge of over population in schools and requested the Ministry to address the infrastructure issue very seriously.Nyakongo who is the Principal of St. Johns Seka Secondary School in Rachuonyo North sub- County also appealed to the government to assist schools that were affected with flooding to re-

sume normal operations.

Orero Boys High School Principal Bula Dickens from Rangwe sub- County commended the County for the good performance in KCSE 2020.

In the results (KCSE 2020), Homa Bay County had three schools produce a mean of 9.1 and above.

They were Asumbi Girls (9.5), Agoro Sare High School (9.2), Orero Boys (9.1).

Other in the top 10 were Mbita High (8.9), Oriwo Boys (8.7), Ogande Girls (8.4), Tonga High (8.37), Homa Bay Boys (8.08) and Bishop Linus Okok (7.08).

A total of 6619 students in Homa Bay attained direct entry to universities out of a total candidature of 23, 865 comprising of 12,408 boys and 11,457 boys.

critical in the operations of the schools.

The County KESSHA chairman regretted that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) insists that all teachers must be registered to be allowed to teach.

Most areas in the rural settings, he said cannot afford to get the services of TSC registered BOM teachers and rely on services of other teachers due to funding challenges.

The tuition accounts have not received any money particularly the day secondary schools who have continued to suffer greatly.

Murumba also noted that the county performed better in the 2020 KCSE results registering positive deviation.

“We have agreed on a programme to induct teachers in schools that didn’t do better in a bid to help them improve in their academic performance,” said Murumba.

Bomet principals lauded for good results

By Brenda Korir Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Bomet County chairman Cornelius Sigei has lauded high school principals for the impressive 2020 KCSE results.

He said 12 Extra County Schools from the county emerged among the top 100 country wide.

Speaking in Nakuru during a two-day conference organised

by KESSHA, Sigei urged the head teachers to maintain the good performance.

“Despite preparing for exams in a trying environment of Covid-19, students in Bomet County shined in 2020 exams,” noted Sigei.

The KESSHA boss stressed that bench marking within and outside Sub Counties will improve academic performance and help schools attain the set county target mean of 5.38

Bomet County had a total of 287 exam centres with candidature of 19,985, out which 262 centres had a mean score of 3.0 and above.

Twenty four centres recorded a mean score of 2 and above, while two centres had a mean score of 2 and below.

However, the county improved from mean score of 4.64 in the 2019 to a mean of 5.02 in 2020.

Education board chairman Kipng’etich Kirui encouraged principals to work with all stakeholders and improve education standards in the county.

He extolled the school heads for curbing cases of absenteeism among themselves and their teacher leading to better performance in Bomet County.

He urged school heads to put in place adequate Covid-19 response measures in their schools to properly handle reported corona

Bomet KUPPET Executive Secretary, Paul Kimetto presenting a gift to County KESSHA officials led by County chairman Cornelius Sigei (second right).

Photo/Brenda Korir virus cases.

County Director of Education Indiatsi Mabale congratulated the principals for making sure that no cases of irregularities were reported in Bomet.

He asked the principles to receive students who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy and allow them to continue with their education.

Bomet County TSC director Charles Nyaumah said the shortage of deputy head teachers will be addressed.

He said a very

small number of people apply for teaching posts in Bomet County because they are never aware when the jobs are advertised.

Nyaumah warned that alcoholism among teachers and in learning institutions will not be entertained.

During the session, the Executive Secretary of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Paul Kimetto said that the union will continue defending the rights of principals and teachers.

EDUCATION NEWS

28

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

NEWS FEATURE

Form 4 leaver stuns village with her watch-making innovation

By Michael Oduor

E

unice Samba, 23, from Msambweni, Voi Sub-county, Taita Taveta County is not your ordinary form four graduate.

She sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in the year 2015 and successfully secured a slot in Chuka University for the study of criminology.

But she didn’t manage join due to lack of money to finance her college education in the year 2016.

Hopeless and dejected, Samba then went knocking on office doors to get a place to work and save for her studies in vain.

In May this year, as she was resting with her siblings at their homestead, Samba got an idea of making house clocks out of plywood, pieces of clothes, nails, super glue, a watch and threads of different colours.

She shared it with her friend Faustina Msha, a graduate in supply chain management from Nyeri Technical Training College.

Msha is a second year student at KCA University pursuing film technology but she also stopped her studies due to financial constraints.

Having shared the idea, the duo started the work which in less than three weeks has attracted neighbours and some friends who have already purchased the clock that goes at Sh3,000 each.

Faustina Msha helps Samba by providing pieces of clothes which she says is a challenge to get and make as she had no prior experience of doing it.

She therefore buys the material, which she takes to the tailor to cut and style it as per their specifications before Samba does the rest of the work.

“I liked the idea and decided that I will help her with the material of the clothes she uses to cover the plywood to make it attractive,” said Msha.

According to Samba, one clock takes about two hours to make while others take longer as the nails may

bend making the threads loose.

Initially, starting the project was a challenge due to lack of funds which borrowed from friends who did not let her down that she later she refunded after selling the clock.

Among the challenges that Samba faces are lack of funds to purchase materials including the machine for drilling the wood where the clock machine is fitted.

Apart from the driller which costs Sh30,000, she also encountered opposition and discouragements from people who said women she cannot make it.

“Some friends kept on discouraging me saying that a lady cannot make it but I had to ask other friends who actually gave me the little I asked for and later I refunded after selling the items I made,” she said.

Samba’s mother Pricilla Mwawughanga who is a widow could not hide her happiness about the project pursued by her daughter.

She said even though Samba did not make it to university due to lack of fees, she is ready to support her with the little she has to see her daughter grow and employ others in the region.

“I thanked God and prayed that she may grow and become an employer in future because she had challenges while growing up since I had to raise them as a single mother following the demise of their father,” she said.

Mwawughanga appealed to residents in the area who can help her financially to support her achieve what she wants in life Meanwhile, one of the customers Mrs. Matilda Mwakuhu, applauded the duo for their good work.

Being the only women in the region with such an innovative mind, she decided to buy the product to boost the project.

She encouraged the Samba and Msha not to give up and be the role model in the society and urged sponsors who may be impressed with the work to help them find a place for their work and machines they need.

1

2

Eunice Samba 23 from Msambweni, Voi Sub-county, Taita Taveta County is not your ordinary form four graduate.

“They should use any skills they have in making a Msha positive difference is a second year student at in their life,” she said and called upon the KCA University pursuing sponsors to support film technology but she also her project.

She is focused stopped her studies due to on developing her financial constraints. business into big company that can employ over 100 youths in the region “I was attracted by the skillful and even more if what she is dreamstyle and color matching and the ing comes true. creativity in it that made me pur“I’m seeing this project being chase the clock,” she said. a big industry where I can employ Samba urged the youths who are more than 100 youths in the region. in schools, colleges and even those This will be made possible if I get out of schools not rely on what they support and a place to set up my studied in colleges and universities business,” she concluded. for a living.

1Eunice Samba (left) and Faustina Msha (right).

3

2 - Eunice Samba doing what she knows best.

3- The beautiful wall clocks done by Faustina Samba.

Photos/Michael Oduor

TSC calls for UNESCO literacy prizes award applicants

By Malachi Motano The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is calling upon teachers to submit their applications for the 2021 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes Award.

The award comprises

eligible programs or projects for the teachers that have a proven record of innovative work in the field of literacy for at least three years.

The teacher’s employer has rewarding scheme for teachers who have excelled in their areas of

Nancy Macharia, TSC CEO.

work.

The awards come in different forms such as material award and promotions amongst others.

Besides, TSC has also recognises teachers’ and

secretariat’s efforts through its different platforms.

“It is always good to motivate a teacher for a good performance not only in class work but also in other innovative areas,” says TSC CEO Nancy Macharia.

EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

29

NEWS FEATURE

Pupils wowed by chatting with friends globally The programme is multifaceted helping children communicate variously to their colleagues in selected countries across the world.

The programme also ensures that words uttered are translated in many different languages.

Children being taken through Pangaea programme at the Kisumu Museum.

lia, South America and the Indian subcontinent.

Co-chairman Dr Toshiyuki Pupils from two schools in Tukasaki says the idea is meant to Kisumu are so excited that they make engineering used for cultural can chat with colleagues from other and peaceful means. parts of the globe.

Tukasaki hopes the concept They can chat with friends in will one day reach the villages other Japan, Georgia, Khazakstan and lothan urban areas alone. cally while at the Kisumu national Teachers at Victoria Primary museums through a programme School are equally thrilled with known as Pangaea.Net. the programme and welcomed it The lads aged between eight because it is aligned with the govand 15 were selected from Xaverian ernment promoting the use of ICT and Victoria primary schools. in schools.

The National Museums of KePresident Uhuru Kenyatta nya, Kisumu branch Regional Copledged free ICT facilities while ordinator, Dr Dan Arap Mitei says campaigning to be elected in 2013. he picked up the idea in 2013 and Some schools have embraced piloted it in a number of schools the Pangaea programme while othwithin Nairobi. ers are yet to come to terms with it The programme is multifaceted due to logistical challenges. helping children communicate varThe Pangaea programme which iously to their colleagues in selected will cost some Sh38 million shilcountries across the world lings is funded by the Japan InternaThe programme also ensures tional Corporation Agency (JICA). that words uttered are translated in Its representative Mr Simon many different languages.

Kariuki says it is part of plans For example he says, children aimed at promoting the use of ICT in Kyoto or Tokyo link up and reto break various barriers. turn the messages via linkages.

He says ICT can be used to proLearners can come up with a mote peace through inter-linkages number of innovative ideas through like the one being undertaken by the the live link where they then chat.

Kisumu Museum.

The programmes are later up“We want everybody to appreloaded and given to the children in ciate that prejudices such as colour either laptops or tablets. and race do not matter, hence the Mitei says they have incorponeed for ICT to promote the same’ rated some students from Maseno he says.

Other countries which have embraced the proramme include Korea, Malaysia and Australia.

A teacher at Xaverian Paul Masingo also welcomed the programme, saying it has made participants become more interactive and look at the world differently.

The same sentiments are held by Participants exchanging views during Pangaea Pangaea particpitants pose for a photo at the programme at the Kisumu Museum Photos/Fredrick Kisumu national museum.

Odiero Fredrick Odiero

University to help sell the concept there.

A number of volunteers and teachers are also working with them to come to terms with the new concept.

The Chairman co-founder of Pangaea.Net, Mrs. Yumiko Mori is so excited over the speed with which the children adapted the whole concept.

“The idea makes children communicate globally hence breaking both language and cultural barriers,” she says.

Mori added that the children are later prepared into clubs once they are through with the programme.

She told Education News that the reason why she started the programme, was because she was a survivor of the terrorist attack during the raid on the World Trade Centre in New York.

She had just cancelled her trip to Pennsylvania where she later heard news of the attack by terrorists.

“I was so moved that I decided to serve humanity in any way hence the birth of Pangaea,” she says.

She is happy that children who have gone through the programme are more exposed and become fast learners.

“One of them is now at the university and is doing very well” she says with a smile.

Talking about the origin of the name of the programme, Mori said about 300 million years ago, earth didn’t have seven continents.

It allegedly instead was one massive supercontinent called Pangaea, which was surrounded by a single ocean called Panthalassa.

She says the explanation for Pangaea’s formation ushered in the modern theory of the tectonic plate which posits that the earth’s outer shell was broken into several plates that slide over earth’s rocky shell, the mantle.

“Over the course of the planet’s 3.5 billion-year history, several supercontinents have formed and broken up, a result of churning and circulation in the earth mantle which makes up most of planet’s volume.’ she says She adds that the breakup and formation of supercontinents has dramatically altered the planet’s history.

Mori says Pangaea formed through a gradual process spanning a few hundred million years.

Beginning about 480 million years ago, a continent called Laurentia, which includes parts of North America, merged with several other micro-continents to form Euramerica.

Euramerica eventually collided with Gondwana, another supercontinent that included Africa, Austra-

Learners can come up with a number of innovative ideas through the live link where they then chat.

Rsoelyne Okita of Victoria Primary School.

“Children who graduate from the programme are let to go and teach the rest,” she said.

Pangea Kenya Manager Sarafina Lorchio says the concept ensures that children grow up without much stereotypes.

The programme gave few children an opportunity to travel to Japan where they attended the Kyoto Summer School international cultural festival.

John Ochieng aged 12 years of Xaverian Primary School was so excited and beamed with a lot of confidence after coming back from Japan.

The young lad who hopes to be a medical doctor in future says he initially thought that people in Japan eat frogs but soon noticed that it was not the case.

Dr Dan Mitei.

“I ate rice and meat and other foods I did not know while in Kyoto’ he says.

Colleague Becky says she had an opportunity to learn Japanese and know how people there think about Kenyans and Africans at large.

The pupils at the Museum can say hello and draw homes they send to many parts of the globe through the internet.

The motto of the Pangaea net programme is to bond children across the world on the Net.

30

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EDUCATION NEWS

New Principal sets out vision for Kisii School

By Norah Musega To the new Kisii School Principal Mr. Fred Orego Mogaka, the sky is not the limit but a step to even a higher level. The school is destined to scale the heights of academic excellence, he says. Mr Mogaka, who was transferred from Riokindo Boys High School after posting a sterling performance in the 2020 K.C.S.E examinations, is upbeat the giant boys’ national school in Kisii County will continue to excel in all spheres.

“We shall endeavour to produce all round students in line with the Kisii School Vision: To be a premier institution in producing graduates who will serve humanity with distinction. Kisii School has the right raw materials in students who are highly disciplined, motivated and academically endowed.

The learning environment is fantastic. This means that we have the potential of playing in the league of champions,” says Mr. Mogaka.

The new principal is looking forward to competing with the already well-established elite national schools. Kisii School is also focused on claiming a stake in the top ten slots of the best students in the country.

He says this is possible given the strong work ethic in his teaching staff, the commitment and dedication from the Parents’Association (PA), the unwavering support of the Kisii High School Old Boys’ Association and the wealth of experience in the Board of Management (BOM) led by retired Provincial Director of Education Mr. Patrick Nyagosia.

Said Mr. Mogaka, “I thank God for the quick but smooth transition from Chief Principal Mr. Maurice Ogutu. I am grateful for the warm welcome and the goodwill I have so far been accorded. I appreciate the systems and structures Mr. Ogutu came up with. We intend to enhance, develop and strengthen them with the sole purpose of realizing academic excellence.”

The School which had a mean of 9.0 in the 2020 KCSE, was founded in 1934 and has produced celebrated national and county leaders like the late Simeon Nyachae, and Dr. Fred Matiang’i (Interior CS), current County Governors such as Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), James Ongwae (Kisii), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), Dr. Wilbur Ottichilo (Vihiga), and the late John Nyangarama (former Nyamira County Governor), Others include Eng. Phillip Okundi former KBC Managing Director and now NCIC Commissioner, and former Chief Justice David Maraga.

According to Deputy Principal in charge of Administration, Mr Gilbert Orenge Nyariki, in every success story, discipline is core and

Fred Mogaka, Kisii School Principal. that is not different at Kisii school.

He noted that technology has posed a challenge through influencing students across the nation.

“Despite all the challenges, we strive to encourage and help the students stick to the rules and regulations in the school. We nurture them as our own children, thus creating a conducive environment in both boarding and tuition sections.” stated Nyariki.

Mr Edwin Nyaboga, who is the Deputy Principal in charge of Academics, noted that the school offers twenty two subjects with some of them started during the colonial era.

Nyaboga states that the school has been on an upwards trend of improving results every year and this has been realized due to the support from parents, Old Boys Association (OBA) and teamwork by teachers in the school.

“Our target is to attain a mean of 9.6 with a 100% transition to university by producing students who attain C+ and above. We have generated passion amongst the boys to be self-motivated in the culture of studying extra hours on their own without the supervision of teachers,” he said.

Nyaboga notes further that they challenge learners to work extra hard by helping them set expectation standards according to their ability, which they are able to do in relation to their KCPE results.

“We have since realised that the students relate more in the house than classrooms, therefore, we have a programme where we award the learners at different levels of achievement and this is done per subject, the house/dormitory that performs well and even the most improved,” he explained.

“The extra support we achieve from the parents helps in awarding the learners and has since created more room for extra teaching lessons to enhance syllabus coverage and maximum revision to help

Mr. Nyariki GilbertDeputy Principal (Administration).

»» Page 31

Edwin Nyaboga, Deputy Principal in charge of Academics.

KCSE ANALYSIS YEAR 2018 2019 2020

ENTRY 445 445 463

George Okoth, Boarding Master.

Hezron Siriba, HOD Chemistry.

KCSE 7.652 8.381 9.019

UNIVERSITY ENTRY % 69% 78% 91%

Mosioma Henry, Senior Master.

Ondabu Ombongi, HOD Physics Department.

achieve the targeted mean of the school,” deputy Principal added.

Nyaboga, however, revealed they have been working together with other schools to help test the ability of their candidates before they are able to sit the national exams.The schools include Agoro Sare high school in Homa Bay county since 2017 where they work on a joint timetable for exams done in three clusters yearly and this has helped both schools grow academically.

Senior Master Mosioma Henry confirmed that they have achieved staff unity which is vital towards realisation of better and improved results.

“Through my co-ordination and better working relationship among the teachers, support staff and other education stakeholders in the school, we are set for a brighter future with improved school mean,” he said.

The School’s Director of studies, Mr Okongo Tom noted that the

Okong’o Tom, Director of Studies.

Evans Moseti, HOD Kiswahili Department.

Ms Seline Ann, HOD Maths and Computer Studies.

My goals are to create a school climate and culture of excellence. I want to involve and empower our school team to continually work to improve on what we do daily.

- Mogaka.

Mr. Denis Gwako, HOD English Department.

George Orina, HOD Biological Sciences.

EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

31

KUPPET demands 2021-2025 CBA counter offer from TSC

By Roy Hezron Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to go on strike if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) fails to be in place by the end of June this year.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi early June, the Union Secretary-General Akelo Misori stated that they will down their tools if the employer fails to table a counter offer in the new 2021-2025 CBA. “Teachers expect nothing other than a salary review this year. We have gathered that TSC was advised by the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC), but TSC has not shared the advisory with us,” warned Misori.

He added that as a union, they have diligently discharged their obligation under the Labour Relations Act, but the government has been dragging its feet for more than a year.

In a letter dated May 20, 2021 to Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC)

KUPPET National Chairman Omboko Milemba.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Nancy Macharia, the union raised its anxiety of its members in the teaching service over stalled negotiations for the new CBA. “I am writing to express our concern at the Commission’s delay in concluding the negotiations for

the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. With the expiry of the current CBA imminent, the union is yet to receive a counter offer to our demand, as per the laid down process,” stated Misori in the letter, which was copied to the Treasury Cabinet Secretary and CEO Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

The fate of the teachers’ CBA hanged in balance after treasury’s advisory to SRC that only 10 per cent will be available for proposed pay review for civil servants and teachers, which dealt a serious blow to teachers who were waiting anxiously for the approval of the new 2021-2025 CBA. The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani had committed

The implementation of the new CBA is supposed to begin on July 1, 2021, where the union is fighting for a classroom teacher to have a

70%

salary increment while administrators to have

30%

salary increment.

Some of the Kuppet delegates outside KICC during a previous ADC.

first aspect is to ensure they assist their learners build a positive attitude towards exams and this is done by arranging for small tests every week which also help in syllabus coverage.

“The school mean moved from 8.3 to 9.0 following several changes made in the teaching method. We have also been arranging for joint exams with other top performing schools across the country to help us analyze the ability of our students at any given time,” said Okongo.

The Mathematics and Computer Studies HoD Ms. Selin Ann notes that as a department, they

School Main Gate.

have introduced a programme called smart finish which ensures their students get to understand every topic and are familiar with all sorts of questions in the subject.

She noted that Computer Studies was the best performed optional and general subject in the school, adding that this is as a result of introduction of continuous assessment tests done in the school.

Mr. Ondabu Ombongi, who is the Physics HoD stated that their students have generated passion for the subject and, therefore, eased teaching.

that only 10 per cent, which totals to around Sh8 billion was available for the review; though it was not clear as to whether the amount will only be for the next 2021-22 Financial Year or it will cover the four year circle as it is usually the case in the CBA. “For months, all that remained in the negotiations was for the SRC to give its advisory to the Commission to enable the employer table a counter offer to the union. While this has not been done, the media space has been filled with speculative coverage about what the SRC advisory contained,” said Misori in the letter.

He added further that “These circumstances have spawned deep anxiety within the service, which should be urgently addressed through concrete steps to conclude the CBA process within the limited time left.”

However, the Commission in its letter dated May 24, 2021 to the union SG gave an indication of the negotiations being concluded in a shortest time possible.

“I wish to assure that the Commission is taking all the steps to ensure that the matter is addressed in the shortest time possible,” reads the letter in part.

Should KUPPET implement its threat of its members going on strike, this could greatly paralyze learning in learning institutions considering that it currently enjoys a membership of over 120, 000 teachers countrywide.

The current CBA will expire at the end of the month but the union claim that TSC has failed to make a counter offer to the one made by teachers’ unions in the 2021-2025 CBA. The current CBA, signed in 2017 was implemented in phases for the last four years at a cost of Sh54

A section of the school block funded by Kisii High School Old Boys Association (KHOBA)

The Tuition Block.

billion and will expire on June 30, 2021.

Ordinarily, talks for a new cycle between the teachers’ unions and TSC are done at least a year before the expiry of the existing one, of which KUPPET states that for the

Akelo Misori, KUPPET Secretary-General.

past two years since they began talks on the new CBA, the teachers’ employer has consistently ignored their attempts to have structured talks.

The implementation of the new CBA is supposed to begin on July 1, 2021, where the union is fighting for a classroom teacher to have a 70 per cent salary increment while administrators to have 30 per cent salary increment.

For the first time since the negotiation of CBA’s, the union members, if the proposed CBA is adopted; will enjoy four types of allowances notably risk, overtime, post-graduate and accommodation allowances.

Even in the current allowances, KUPPET is pushing for enhanced allowances for teachers notably on leave, hardship, commuter, house, special school, readers or facilitation, and daily subsistence allowances.

A view of the Administration Block.

A view of Uhuru Kenyatta Kisii School Resource Centre.

32

EDUCATION NEWS

Why Keiyo is doing poorly in KCPE

By Dennis Bett Head teachers drawn from Keiyo South-sub-county have drawn strategies geared towards improving Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.

The sub-county has seen a decline in the KCPE performance with the mean score dropping from 245 in 2018, 241 in 2019 and 237 in 2020.

The slide has prompted education stakeholders to call a crisis meeting for head teachers to address the issue.

Speaking to head teachers at Sitotwo Primary School, Keiyo South Sub- County Education Officer Mr Kipruto Kosgei told them and Boards of Management to roll out the programs in schools and zonal levels.

He said that they are geared towards bringing back the lost glory.

“We had a meeting of head teachers from the entire Keiyo South sub-county to discuss the dropping results and come up with the best strategies for teachers to implement,” said Kosgei.

They also met with other stakeholders including the area MP, MCAs and others in the

Kipruto Kosgei, Keiyo South Sub-county Education Director. Photo/Dennis Bett

education sector who voiced concerns and pledged support to achieve the set goals They are targeting a mean of 250 in 2021exams through capacity building of Boards of Management and meetings teachers at school as well as doing zonal exams and engaging learners in competitions.

He encouraged head teachers to increase supervision and motivation of teachers and also encourage parents to follow up of

their children’s academic performance.

“We will deal with challenges of lesson delivery, supervision,, implementation of curriculum by head teachers and absenteeism of learners,” said Kosgei.

Learners will also be stopped from engaging in income generating activities at the expense of learning.

The Deputy County Commissioner has also been petitioned to flush out children loitering at markets and those operating boda bodas to go to school.

“We have also agreed to submit the list of absentee students to the chiefs which will help bring back the learners. School drop out must be dealt with expeditiously to help the standard of education to spring back,” he added.

The Director warned against sex pests who prey on young innocent pupils for sex saying that they will be arrested and action taken againast them to stop to habit.

They are also engaging spiritual leaders and guiding and counseling experts to talk to schools children as well as talking to parents to guide their children on importance of moral values.

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

Return school feeding to retain children

By Staff Reporter Baringo Central Member of Parliament Joshua Kandie has urged the Government to quickly embark on the School Feeding Programme (SFP) in order to retain children in school.

He noted that the situation has reached crisis level and thousands of children especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) regions in Kenya are likely to drop out of school in masses due to hunger.

“It is quite embarrassing and paining that instead of concentrating in class, our children especially in Baringo end up sleeping on their desks owing to empty stomachs” Kandie said.

The legislator raised the concern after launching five modern classrooms constructed through National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) at Kasore primary school in his constituency.

The media had earlier highlighted the jiggers problem in the school.

Pupils have also never received lunch rations since 2005 and face an acute shortage of water.

Alongside building modern classrooms, MP Kandie also donated a 10,000 litres plastic tank recently to assist the school harvest rain water.

He was accompanied by nominated MCA Francisca Cheburet who said the majority of the children fail to return to school in the afternoon as they go to assist their parents look for water and wild fruits to feed on.

Apart from school feeding programme, Kandie also appealed to the government to consider distributing relief food to feed the hungry population in Baringo and its environs.

Worst hit areas are Tiaty, Baringo North, Mogotio, Baringo Central and Baringo South sub-counties.

County launches Covid-19 mitigation strategy

By Brenda Korir The Nakuru County government has launched the distribution of soap for hand washing to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in learning institutions.

Speaking during the event held at Mwireri Primary School, Subukia Sub_County, Youth Empowerment Advisor Paul Ndirangu said, 44 Schools in the region have received 100 bar soups that will be cut into small

pieces to be utilized in schools.

Ndirangu said that the tailor made exercise targets primary schools among them Early Childhood Development Educations centres, teachers and nonteaching staff.

He added that the County government has already distributed hand washing tanks to schools, and the exercise will continue in still more schools in the County.

The Sub County, Education Director of Education Stephen Kimani graced the launch and lauded the County government for the effort of meeting all necessary Ministry of Health directi ves.

Kimani also lauded Nakuru County Gorvernor Lee Kinyanjui for coming up with a strategy that has boosted education performance in the area.

Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie with children inside a modern classroom built by NG-CDF at Kasore primary school. Photo/TALARUS CHESANG.

FOCUS ON KESSHA REGIONAL CONFERENCES BUNGOMA

Bungoma teachers say post certificate will boost teachers clout

By Our Reporter Head Teachers from Bungoma County have welcomed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) requirement for a postgraduate certificate.

The Principals said the move will help make scholars take the teaching profession seriously.

Bungoma Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairman Edward Bikala however said TSC should give a clear timeline on when they want it implemented so that it is not seen to be hurried.

He was speaking during the 2021 KESSHA conferfence held at a hotel in Eldoret whose them was ‘Education in the New Era.”

A section of Bungoma Principals follow proceedings during the conference. Photo/Dennis Bett

He pointed out that those who have already graduated with the Bachelor’s of Education Degree (BED) should be absorbed first.

He added that the move will protect the teaching profession in terms of quality delivery just like other courses like law which requires a two year post-graduate diploma.

“As teachers of Bungoma, we welcome the move to obtain a certificate course because it will give clout to education profession,” said Bikala.

Mr Bikala decried the effects that Covid-19 has had on teachers in the County, saying it has greatly hampered learning in schools.

He said the infrastructure grants given to schools are in-

adequate to cope up with the 100 percent transition which has pushed schools to seek for support from other donors.

Bikala called upon the Ministry of Education to increase funding to help cope up with the new challenges arising from pandemic and the growing number of students joining secondary schools.

He said that they are working on ways of ensuring that Bongoma County produces more quality grades in KCSE to increase the number of students joining university.

“We have rolled out strategies like benchmarking with other best performing schools in the country as well as doing joint exams” he said.

Varsity Bulletin 33 EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

THE PLATFORM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

University to train in fighting crime

Focus on core areas, Magoha urges varsities

By Norah Musega

By Patrick Amunavi Education Cabinet Secretary Prof.

George Magoha has asked universities in Kenya to remain focused on their traditional core areas of strength.

Citing the example of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the Cabinet Secretary said: “No one can deny the fact that JKUAT is a very strong university when it comes to science and technology.”

He encouraged the university to strengthen itself along those fronts rather than digressing to the humanities and arts.

Magoha lamented that most Kenyan universities have over the recent years abandoned concentrating on their strong fields of research and training and instead deviated to all manner of programmes.

He called on all institutions of higher learning to desist from the negative trend of duplicating programmes offered in other universities and instead strengthen traditional programmes.

Prof. Magoha was speaking at JKUAT main campus on June 7, 2021 where together with the Japanese Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Ryochi Horie, they presided over the official inauguration of the newly constructed multimillion state-of-the-art Agriculture Laboratory Building (ALB).

It was constructed by the Japanese Government through the Japanese International Co-oporation Agency (JICA).

The Cabinet Secretary, on behalf of the Kenyan Government appreciated the support of Japanese Government through JICA for the good work whose impact, he said, is evident at JKUAT and across the country.

He lauded JKUAT for being a

CS Magoha and Amb. Horie handing over the dummy key to Chair of Council. Amb. Maalim as Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ngumi looks on.

“Beacon of technology transfer and innovation in Kenya and advised institutions of higher learning to step up collaborations with other world class universities, including those of Japan.

“As a ministry, we are proud of the fact that most of the top scientists at JKUAT are alumni of Japanese universities,” he said.

Ambassador, Ryoichi Horie expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders involved in the completion and renovation of the building which has been carried out under the Africaai- apan project.

He said Japan has developed very cordial relationship with JKUAT since 1981 and paid tribute to all professionals and academics from both Japan and Kenya for the efforts that have earned the university its current reputation.

He reiterated that “Japan has not only co-operated with JKUAT for development of human resource, but also for growth of agricultural sector in the country. “ Horie observed that agriculture is essential for recovery of the en-

tire economy of the country whose growth is affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

The University Council chairman Amb. Maalim Mahboub appreciated the collaborative efforts of Kenya and Japan through the Ministry of Education and JICA for the implementation of the Africa-ai-Japan projects at JKUAT. JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi reported that 37 research innovation projects funded by JICA include a long term multi-disciplinary and inter-departmental projects, 26 senior researcher’s projects supporting JKUAT/PAUSTI students and eight post-doctorate support.

Others are two Covid-19 emergency fund projects, in addition to 72 other projects supported through seed funding for PAUSTI students, which she stated is an important catalyst and synergy required to make JKUAT a regional hub in research for development.

Student leaders: Don’t slash HELB funding and will lead to many students abandoning their education.

“As student leaders from Uasin Gishu Gishu County we are disappointed by the move by the Ministry of Education to reduce our HELB loan due to the effects of Uasin Gishu student leaders led by Moi coronavirus,” they University student leader Albert Maloba said. addressing the press. Photo/Elvis Wasike Moi University student leader AlMinistry of Education bert Maloba added that

By Wasike Elvis against reducing the the move was ill intendStudent leaders HELB funds. ed since most students Speaking to the will leave their educafrom universities in Uasin Gishu County press in Eldoret town tion due to lack of fees. have warned the Gov- recently, they said the They protested afernment through the move is uncalled for ter HELB reduced the

average funding per student in universities to Sh38,000 down from Sh45,000 attributing the reduction to the effects of coronavirus.

“How will we sustain ourselves since we depend on HELB for our upkeep, pocket money, paying fees and paying rent or they want us to abandon studies?” posed Dorcas Cherop from the University of Eldoret.

They called on the CS for Education George Magoha to intervene before things run out of hand.

The National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) has partnered with Rongo University to develop a curriculum that will help curtail insecurity cases in the region.

The centre is mandated to carry out research into the cause of crime, its prevention and to disseminate the research findings and recommendation to Government agencies concerned with the administration of criminal justice.

The curriculum is geared towards equipping students to confront misinformation and propaganda which can cause

tune that Rongo University has come up with a programme meant to globally tackle problems of media and security.

Prof. Fredrick Ogenga, Director of Centre for Media Democracy, Peace and Security said the studies are borne out of the fact that there is a gap existing in security training when technology is involved.

Migori County government CECM for Health Ret. Col. Kepha Nyamita praised the university for embracing security especially in Migori county which is cosmopolitan area.

Dr. Florence Oduor, a lecturer at the university said

Prof. Agustino Onkware DVC Academic and Student Affairs RU (second left) and Prof. Stanley Shitote DVC Admin. Finance and Planning during the signing of MoU. Photo/Norah Musega violence among stakeholders and the public.

Speaking during the stakeholder’s workshop to review master’s and doctoral curriculum at Rongo University in Migori County, Ret. Col. Dr. S Handa said the curriculums are multi-disciplinary in nature wherein mainstream and new media technologies are seeking innovative problem solving ideas in mediation.

He said that it is oppor-

peace building and conflict resolution is understood by many and the impact of conflict reflects in everyone affected thus enlightening the public is essential especially in border counties like Migori.

Fellow lecturer Dr. Josphat Ogweno said they will attract students from all over the world and hoped that they will be able to make a big contribution towards enhancing peace through the curriculum.

USIU to train healthcare providers on immunisation

By Roy Hezron United States International University-Africa (USIU) has launched a new short course for healthcare givers on immunization skills.

The course which is basically meant to build capacity for health professionals was launched on April 29, 2021 by the University’s School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in partnership with Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya.

Speaking during the launch, the school’s

Prof Francis Ndemo Dean, Prof. Francis Ndemo noted that the initiative was one of the many strategic initiatives by the School to broaden its course offering to develop a pool of highly qualified and well trained

professionals.

“The engagement between USIU-Africa and the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya is considered strategic as this has the potential to yield the much needed healthcare skilled capacity during current times of pandemics like Covid-19,” said Prof. Ndemo.

The short course is geared to educate pharmacists and other healthcare providers about the impact of vaccines on public health and providers’ role in immunization.

EDUCATION NEWS

34

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

TSC and varsities academic programmes stand-off

By Our Reporter A stand-off is looming between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and universities over the former’s decision to stop the offering of Bachelor of Education (BED) programmes.

University dons are unhappy about the interference in the management of academic programmes after TSC released a proposed policy meant to review Standards of Education and Training.

Rongo University don Dr. James Mbeche has told the TSC to avoid mixing education matters with politics.

He was reacting to the ongoing debate by the TSC to scrap the BEd course to pave way for the long awaited Competency Based Curriculum.

He argued that changes are good especially when they entail more benefits to society but he cautioned against implementing them before doing wider consultations.

He asked the TSC to involve different Universities in fine-tuning the proposal before announcing it to the public.

“Universities are the main education stakeholders and anything meant to affect education has to be vetoed by them before implementation,” he said.

He added that the country is used to embracing quick changes in education policies that fall shortly after their onset and cited the 8-4-4 system as an example.

He said the system was implemented hurriedly and ended up being almost an economic burden to the nation.

Dr. Mercy Mugambi, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Administration and Planning, School of Education at the University of Nairobi is among those who have raised concerns.

Writing on the university’s website on June 3, 2021, she stated that the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) has emphasis on nurturing of potential and talent of learners from

the early years of learning.

“Universities need to nurture teacher trainees in their profession from the early year of training and should, therefore, be left to align programmes to the new system education in the same way the Ministry has done with Diploma Teacher Education (DTE) programmes,” stated Dr. Mugambi.

She added: “Consultation is key for improvement in the 21st century

sity Prof. Kipng’eno Wilson told Education News they will study the proposed policy framework and give their stand.

“We are taking it to our Senate then our position as a university will be known after Senate meeting,” noted Prof. Kipng’eno.

The policy titled Framework on Entry Requirements in the Teaching Service is meant to sensitize university deans in the School of Education

Dr.James Mbeche, Rongo University don.

Nancy Macharia, TSC CEO.

agenda. How come now TSC has the overall say in university programmes?”

Prof. Henry Onderi, the chairperson Kisii Education Board supported the TSC proposals but raised concern in the manner in which the commission made the directive.

“TSC is not a professional body that has the mandate to direct what should be taught in universities,” he said.

He said they can only give a proposal for universities to look at and see whether it is viable or not Onderi said universities have their ways of working and they have a regulatory body called Commission for University Education (CUE) which is the one to give direction on the programmes that need to be undertaken.

Contacted for his comment, Vice-Chancellor Kabianga Univer-

on the Teacher Education Framework about the requirements for entry into the teaching service.

The TSC policy proposes to remodel the BEd programme, which is one of the most famous and popular and is offered in almost every university in the country.

It is supposed to be replaced with Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BSc) with a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD).

The commission proposes that from September this year, universities should start offering the programme which will take three years with one year for PGD. That means that in future, the Commission will only employ teachers after successful completion of a professional postgraduate diploma.

The proposed policy says entry grade into BA or BSc will be Kenya

Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C+ with a B-(Minus) in three teaching subjects.

That will shift from the current requirement of students having minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) and above or its equivalent with C+ (plus) in two subjects of specialization to qualify for a BEd degree.

An analysis of the proposal reveals that supremacy battle is ex-

Prof. Henry Onderi, Kisii County Education Board Chairman.

pected to arise between TSC and universities over who should issue directives and policies regarding training programmes and their accreditation.

TSC argues that the new programme will be active and deal with problems based learning, increase level of specialization and enhance content knowledge.

They say it will also nurture and develop learners’ potential, enhance content knowledge and prepare one for tertiary education and future work.

The Commission further wants universities to focus basically on professional courses, pedagogy in junior and senior secondary, and teaching subjects which will be demand driven.

According to Section 5 (1) of the Universities Act No. 42 of 2012, the law mandates the Commission

for University Education (CUE) to among others develop policy for criteria and requirements for admission to universities.

It is also supposed to accredit and inspect university programme in Kenya, regulate university education, and promote, set standards and assure relevance in the quality of university education.

That implies that universities only take direct instructions from CUE, which is lawfully established to oversee university education including setting criteria for admission.

For a programme to be valid, the university Senate must approve it and, thereafter, it should be accredited by the CUE board.

That means the TSC policy must first be approved by all university Senates during preparation after undergoing scrutiny by various School Deans.

In December 2020, the Court of Appeal judges Mohammed Warsame, Daniel Musinga and Fatuma Sichale ruled that CUE is the only body mandated to regulate the standards and accredit courses in consultation with individual universities.

“We find no reason to suspend the commission’s mandate in regulating and accrediting courses as provided in the Universities Act. The application filed by the professional associations has no merit and we dismiss it accordingly,” the judges ruled.

The ruling affirmed CUE’s powers in accrediting university courses bringing an end to a longrunning stand-off between the commission and several professional associations that demanded that they be given authority to supervise university courses.

They included Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB), Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB), Kenya Pharmacy and Poison Board (KPPB), Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute and Public Health Officers and Technicians Council.

The CBC task force in its final report recommended that CUE fasttracks development and review of university programmes to align them with the three pathways offered in senior secondary school.

Additional reporting by Enock Okong’o.

MKU opens staff cafeteria and fitness centre

By James Wakahiu Mount Kenya University (MKU) has opened a staff cafeteria and fitness centre in the main campus in Thika town and is planning to construct a similar facility at its Kigali campus in Rwanda.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi termed the facility as first class, with state-of-the art equipment and encouraged his staff to make maximum use of the facility.

“Our chairman, Prof Simon Gicharu had observed that our staff have been using exercise facilities which are not quite up to standard,” he said.

Launching the facility, Gicha-

ru said the university’s staff health insurance provider can lower related insurance premiums if the university workers take to serious exercise at the gym.

“Exercise is the best medicine especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. This facility is a comfort gym for our staff members,” he said.

Gicharu added that the facility was another milestone and a big achievement at MKU. “Henceforth, MKU will be counted amongst the few universities in the country that have a state-of-the-art Senior Common Room,” he added.

“Our students are equally supported through various recreation-

MKU VC and staff during the launch of cafeteria and Fitness centre. Photo/James Wakahiu al facilities in MKU campuses that host a number of sporting activities,” Gicharu noted.

The chairman said the idea and initial plan of the gym and restaurant was the brainchild of Dr

Peter Kirira, formerly the Director of the MKU Foundation.

“The Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Jane Kanjuru designed and ensured we have a top-notch staff cafeteria,” he added.

The CV thanked MKU chairman Gicharu for investing in staff welfare and said a similar facility is now in the planning stage for the MKU Kigali campus in Rwanda.

“In our current strategic plan, we have called for excellence in delivery of programmes, which include hospitality projects. This facility is also a new platform for training of our students,” the VC added.

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

35

EDUCATION NEWS

NYANZA KISUMU

Concern over infrastructure in public schools

By Erick Nyayiera Education stakeholders in Nyanza have raised alarm over what they term as inadequate infrastructure in public schools across the region.

Members of a community initiative known as Green Revolution (GREMO) expressed deep concerns over decaying status of public schools infrastructure that will soon outlive their usefulness.

Lawi Aduol, GREMO Chief Executive Officer said the situation threatens the future of the schoolgoing children, their health and holistic development besides being an outright disenfranchisement of people’s rights.

“It is becoming a matter of great distress that parents suffer the consequences of strained infrastructural facilities in various public schools borne out of social developments like population growth and migrations into urban areas,” said Aduol.

So dire is the situation that it is increasingly turning worrisome since parents and guardians who take their children to public schools are turned away on the basis that

there are enough classes.

“Schools that are located in towns and their peripheries need to consider having storey buildings since land is becoming more strained and may never expand,” said the CEO. He said vertical expansion of buildings will come in handy as opposed to horizontal expansion that majorly eats into school land that would otherwise help in building pupils’ extra-curricular abilities He added that schools like Bak-Kawaga Primary in West Sakwa ward, Bondo sub County GREMO CEO Lawi Aduol dur- lack amenities like latrines, which ing a meeting with educais a health hazard to the pupils and tion stakeholders in Kisumu. the whole school community.

“We demand that the conPhoto/Erick Nyayiera cerned authorities act swiftly and arrest a looming catastrophe that classes are full and cannot admit will arise out of poor sanitation,” any more pupils He urged both the county and he said.

Also of notable concern to National governments to act with speed to curb impending challeng- GREMO is the dire lack of water es that are looming in the schools in schools observing that running water should form part of the minidue to contracting facilities.

Aduol also noted that planners mum provisions in every school should be able to take into account because it is a crucial and a basic the constantly ballooning popula- ingredient in the fight against cotion and put in place plans to ensure vid-19.

Check your child’s college progress, urges Kanga Principal Parents have been urged to continue with guidance and monitoring of their children’s studies after joining higher learning institutions.

Kanga High School Chief Principal, Mr Reuben Kodiango urged parents to keep in touch with deans of students at their children’s respective institutions and monitor their academic performance.

He cautioned that they will receive a big shock after several years when they learn that the students have dropped out of college if they fail to monitor their progress.

“It’s a pity how parents spend a lot of resources to see their children through school just to be shocked that after four years they were not able to graduate with their peers,” said Kodiango.

He said most learners who attain good grades in the Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education discontinue their studies in colleges or at the university due to peer influence.

The Chief Principal applauded parents for having worked closely with teachers in high schools to ensure their children performed well in KCSE despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

He however expressed fears

Fredrick Odiero Some schools in Kisumu County that for many years were in academic wilderness posted impressive results in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results.

Area Director of Education, Mr Isaac Atebe says schools such as Kisumu Girls and Boys in Kisumu Central, Ngere in Seme Sub County and Ahero Girls in Nyando Sub County posted superb results.

Atebe said other schools which realized marked improvement include Sinyolo Girls in Kisumu West Sub County.

He says that the area recorded some 254 A plains, 294 A-, 404 B+, 705 B, 1020 B-, 1680 C+ and they expect to do even much better.

He commended stakeholders, parents leaders and the students for the hard work done despite the Co-

that some learners who are soon to join university could be lured into use of hard drugs and bad behaviour while in the colleges.

“I call on parents to continue

Kanga High Chief Principal, Mr Reuben Kodiango.

nurturing their children despite their maturity in age to ensure they are kept on the right track,” said Kodiango.

He said students remain children for as long as parents cater for their needs and education and they, therefore, must remain vigilant towards guiding them in the right direction.

Kodiango also encouraged

learners to identify with alumni associations at the college which intensifies the focus they need at the university in academics.

He noted that most if not all the unions have channels in which they work together to ensure every member or association is supported towards achieving his or her main purpose at the university.

He also discouraged parents against forcing their children to resit the KCSE against their own will, noting that in most cases the learners might be affected and might not perform well unless than the idea comes from the student.

And the Principal of Nyarach Mixed Secondary John Opiyo school urged 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates who got C plain and below to enrol in technical colleges.

Mr Opiyo said most parents and learners may be disappointed by the results but should remain focused on doing better.

“I wish to encourage parents not to let their children rot at home for lack of attaining university entry grades but rather to help them start shaping their future by enrolling them for courses,” he said.

Kisumu County Director of Education, Isaac Atebe.

vid-19 pandemic.

Atebe was proud that no school was closed in the area due to unrests like in other areas.

KISII

Borabu school gets Sh19m for classrooms

By Enock Okong’o

MIGORI

By Norah Musega

Forgotten academic giants roar back

The Bomachoge Borabu Constituency fund has allocated Sh19 million for the construction of modern classrooms at Nyakorere SDA Primary School.

Speaking at Nyakorere secondary school during the AGM, area MP Prof. Zadoc Ogutu said education is central to development in any society.

He asked parents to provide basic learning materials like enough pens, geometrical sets and uniforms to make their learning conducive.

The MP reminded them that access to education is a fundamental right for the child and asked the area chief to arrest any parent who does not send their children to school.

Area MCA Mr Timothy Ogugu said that the county government will top up the

national government’s education bursary to help bright children from needy homes.

The Kisii County Leader of Majority donated a water tank of 100,000 litres that will be used to store rain water.

The law maker said availability of water at the school will ensure safety of the pupils and reduce their movement to far distances to fetch water.

The two leaders said that after completion of the building, it will be ranked among other centres of excellence in the county like Ritembu, Magena, Riokido and Eberege primary schools.

They cautioned the committees assigned to run the project to use the money prudently because any one who will misuse the government funds, they stressed, will be arrested and arraigned in a court of law.

Prof. Ogutu addressing pupils. Photo/Enock Okong’o.

EDUCATION NEWS

36

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

NEWS FEATURE

St. Anthony’s alumnus dream of being a pilot I’m determined to complete my course and start flying the Emirates plane. I urge many students to pursue aviation course as the numbers of student pilots are still low - Kiprotich began when he was a form three student.

He at the time dreamed that

he will in future take charge as the Captain of an Emirates jetliner plying international routes across the world.

Captain Sam Kiprotich, It was while Student Pilot. he was in form three in 2017 that a digital

By Martin Ruto marketing company that also has a global travel tourism partnership St Anthony’s Boys High organized a competition which saw School Kitale alumnus Sam Kip- 78 secondary schools participating. rotich’s dream of flying aeroplanes

When the results were announced St. Anthony’s emerged the winners taking position one and that is when Kiprotich’s dream of becoming a pilot was hatched.

Other countries that participated in France competition included Hungary, South Africa, USA, UK and France the host.

The young man now fondly referred to as Captain Sam Kiprotich by friends and relatives was picked with Owen Omwenga who was also a form three student to travel to France.

They travelled with their patron Mr. Suleiman Amboka for the sponsored trip to France for a retreat.

Their journey started from Nairobi to Amsterdam using KLM Boeing 747/400 from where they reconnected to France for a week’s stay.

It was while they were in the aeroplane that the pilot Captain George saw the interest young Kiprotich had in flying through the many questions he was asking.

Captain George encouraged captain Kiprotich to pursue the

aviation course.

When they returned to Kenya captain Kiprotich applied for a flying course at Wilson Airport which he eventually got.

His uncle Edwin Rop Che-

Prisca Maiyo, mother to Sam Kiprotich.

Captain Kiprotich is the pride of the North Rift Region and the republic of Kenya as whole

Schools’ seed bank boosts organic farming

By Andanje Wakhungu Ten primary schools in Bungoma County have benefited from a community based organisation (CBO) that deals with indigenous crops.

The Sustainable Agriculture Development Initiative (SADI) Kenya is educating the pupils on the need to grow and store indigenous crops.

They are also being taught seeds multiplication for organic farming SIDA Kenya project practices in Bumula Sub County.

The chairman SADI Kenya coordinator Geoffrey Simiyu.

Bernard Makinia recently said seed Photo/Andanje Wakhungu. banking and multiplication was “Schools are practising agriculbearing fruits because pupils are engaging parents in planting of in- ture in tandem with the Competency Based Curriculum ( CBD) and digenous crops.

They are also educating them pupils are performing well in agrion the nutritional value that comes culture during exams because they literally practice what they were befrom the cropss.

“We have set up 4 K clubs in ing taught in class,” he said.

SADI offers free seeds to pupils each school and our numbers have grown from 100 to 2,000 farmers in and farmers who plant to multiply the last year as pupils keep pushing them before distributing them to parents to join our organization,” other pupils and farmers respectively. said Makina.

Makina said pupils start apThe chairman said the program ensures that organic farming preciating agriculture in their early is embraced by families and avoid ages because it is the backbone of dependency on hybrid crops that are the economy and an income generexpensive to purchase and manage. ating activity to families throughout

county.

“We are further pushing for the young generation to understand the importance of nutrition, how to prepare these local foods and keep them abreast from junk foods,” he said.

Over 400 pupils from grade one to seven have benefited from the program that ‘s 90% absorbed in learning institutions.

Those covered by the programme include Khayo, Namadodoa, Lubunda, Nasianda, Kimatuni, St.Peter’s Namaika, Mungore and Namusasi primary schools in Bumula and Khasoko wards.

Project coordinator Geoffrey Simiyu said SADI was committed to educating farmers on the use of locally available resources to develop themselves.

Simiyu said advantages of organic farming are that it produces more yields, fixes the soil ph and prevents pests and diseases atacking crops Vegetables being multiplied and given out to pupils and farmers include, Jutemallow (Mrenda), Spider plant (saga) Amaranth (Dodo) and Black night shade (Namasaka).

Yams, orange fleshed sweet potatoes, traditional bananas, cassava and soya beans are also stored

through the demonstrations plots.

The coordinator pointed out that with the coming of hybrid crops, indigenous crops were on the brink of becoming extinct hence the idea to set up a seed bank to harvest and store various seeds.

He said the project has attracted international organizations such as biodiversity international based in Italy that has been supporting them through exchange visits and digital learning materials.

Seed savers from Gilgil have been organizing exchange programs where their lead farmers are instructed to train local farmers on how to generate their own local seeds.

bumburet was an instrumental instructor to him as a student.

As he advanced his course at a higher level from February-July in 2019 Jacklyne Kiptoo a flight captain became his instructor.

Kiprotich is a case study of students who pursue their dreams at a tender age and is today walking shoulder high as a flight student pilot.

The only challenge he is facing is that his course is expensive and requires a lot of money for fees.

That is why a major fundraising was held to raise fees for him at Kitale museum on 12th June 2021.

He is being educated by a single mother, Prisca Maiyo who says: “Captain Kiprotich is the pride of the North Rift Region and the republic of Kenya as whole.”

Kiprotich said: “I’m determined to complete my course and start flying the Emirates plane.

I urge many students to pursue aviation course as the numbers of student pilots are still low.”

The national gene bank ( Geri) in Nairobi donated over 50 varieties of seeds that they distributed to farmers for multiplication purposes.

They have also been visited

by Melanders from the US that educated them on the importance of soil erosion and help in distributing vetiva and lemon grass as a way of controlling the problem.

Biovision Trust has at the same time assisted them in harvesting of rain water and educated the group on proper farming methods.

The group has also educated the local community on poultry keeping and a maggot production project which they already have presented their policy paper to the county government of Bungoma for funding.

Limited resources are their main challenge as more farmers are joining the group and need training and extension service.

Pupils of Promised Land Academy tending their garden at the demonstration site. Photo/Andanje Wakhungu

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

KAKA37 MEGA

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Vihiga Boys posts excellent results in KCSE “ I borrowed a leaf from Nairobi School to and I introduced annual retreat for candidates whereby they visit various national schools on purpose to learn more from them,” explained Mwachi.

He added that parents have a package for teachers in away to appreciate and motivate good performance.

Mr Mwachi acknowledged the efforts of BOM led by Mr Shera Didi as the chairman and PA chair, Mr Kennedy Angalwa Okila.

He has a legacy in terms of academic improvement and also Daniel Mwachi, Senior principal

By Leonard Angatia

V

i h i g a Friends High School has once again stamped its authority in academics by posting sterling results of 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. It got a mean score of 6.9789, an improvement from 6.88 of 2019 with a positive deviation of 0.1.

The school sent 159 candidates to join undergraduate courses out of the 272 registered candidature of 2020.

Vihiga Boys introduced systematic revision where papers were being generated depending on the weakness of students.

Abdalla Abubakar, Director of studies.

Senior Principal Daniel Mwachi told Education News that they attributed its excellent results to teamwork among teachers and high level of discipline among students which is the driving force for better performance.

A 6 streamed institution, has a student population of 1375 guided by 46 TSC teachers and 21 hired on Board of Management (BOM).

This academic hub has an open door administration led by the principal and who teaches Biology leading by example. In 2020 KCSE results he attained 6.6 as a mean, emerging overall the best in Biology in the school.

The school sent

159

candidates to join undergraduate courses out of the 272 registered candidature of 2020.

working on a scheme to have a robust alumni association.

“I urge the Ministry of Education to increase funding in our school so that we can build a bigger dormitory with enough bedspread considering that form ones are yet to report and our infrastructure is overstretched,” noted the Principal.

The Principal said that since the school is an Extra county and a STEM one, population increase and academic improvement should be realised plus achieving its set target of 8.0.

After Covid-19 break,we embarked on weekly practicals in sciences and encouraged

topical tests. In some areas we had to re-teach because students were flat footed,” said Mwachi.

Director of studies Abdalla Abubakar noted that peer-teaching among students where students with higher abilities could teach others on content was done to actualise the gradual performance experienced. He appreciated the supportive administration and harmonious teamwork co- ordinated teaching staff.

Our formidable Guiding and Counseling team did a good job after the Covid-19 break to students and I believe we are equal to the task,” stated a beaming Mr Abubakar.

KCSE ANALYSIS TABLE

ENTRY A GRADE 0

Administration Block

A- 6

B+ 16

B 36

B- 45

C+ 53

C 57

C- 33

D+ 14

D 6

Main entrance to the school.

D- 3

E 0

MEAN 6.979

38

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Samitsi Girls soar high in 2020 KCSE

By Andanje Wakhungu

S

Gladys Kavere, School Principal.

Joy Arunga, Deputy principal.

amitsi Girls High School emerged the top girls school in Kakamega North Sub-county in 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results.

Area education officials have hailed the coordination between the school Principal, her deputy and teachers for their efforts that saw the school being ranked 5th overall in the sub-county with a mean of 5.248 and the top girl’s school.

The outgoing sub county Director of Education Isaac Kipraisi said the new management of the school under the leadership of Gladys Kavere was promising noting the school has been improving since 2018 from 4.881, 5.202 and 5.248 mean score last year.

“We laud the leadership of the new principal and her deputy Joy Arunga who have harmonised the staff at the school to work tirelessly and their hard work has borne fruits, let us support them and all other new principals in our institutions”, he urged.

The sub county Academic Chairman Bernard Mikangi who doubles as the Principal Namushiya Secondary school called on other girl’s schools to partner with Samitsi Girls in academic exchange programmes in order to also improve in their performances.

He said it was a huge challenge to other schools that should follow suit by putting in place proper mechanisms that will bolster results.

The principal said her close working relationship with her deputy

and staff was the pillars of their success.

“We have programmes put in place by our teachers who are all round and ready to assist any student and this has made the students to be free to consult any teacher available”, said Kavere.

“We had initiated so much input in our girls but the long Covid-19 holidays affected them and our target which was projected at 50 but we managed to send 23 to university but our target this year is C as we work more on the sciences(Mathematics and ,Chemistry) that we performed dismally”, she added.

Deputy principal Joy Arunga Gacha praised the performance the school posted as it improved in 7 subjects and dropped in four.

“In CRE we had 0.877,History 1.52,Agriculture 4,Geography 1.381,Business 1.05,Physics 0.953 and Biology 0.04 though we dropped in English (0.368),Kiswahili(0.23), Chemistry(0.146) and Mathematics had 1.113, we have already devised methodologies that will address our gray areas and ensure that we work on those subjects we dropped”, she said.

She pointed out that they had embarked on individual testing and group work to addressing the challenges.

“Staffing is still a major issue here with 15 TSC teachers and another 15 by BOM against population of approximately 650”, she said.

The Director of studies Douglas Munialo attributed the results to content mastery, delivery and retention and promised that they were destined to even better results this year.

The girls celebrating their improved performance at the school.

Teachers being led for a photo session with principal on the right.

We have programmes put in place by our teachers who are all round and ready to assist any student and this has made the students to be free to consult any teacher available - Kavere.

NORTH EASTERN

Education hard hit by drought North Eastern

By Amoto Ndiewo Drought has adversely affected learning in Mbalambala and Modogashe sub counties of Garissa County.

A spot check by education news in northern part of the county reveals that many water pans and wells have dried due to biting drought whereas some boreholes have broken down due to overuse and careless handling.

Many families have migrated to volatile areas to look for pasture and water for their livestock. And adding insult to injury some parents shifted with their children who are in school Hagarjerer Primary School head teacher Ahmed Mohamud Khere told Education News on phone that some children were yet to report to school by the beginning of the fourth week.

“They migrated to volatile parts of Isiolo where it has not only rained but tribal clashes reign between communities in

Garissa and Isiolo counties ,’’ said Khere.

He added that water storage tanks are empty in all schools and bathing has become a luxury as the little water available is used for cooking the little remaining food bought in Garissa town.

“To make matters worse, the School Feeding Program which could have helped the children stay in school is yet to come,’’ lamented Khere.

Mbalambala Sub County Director of Education Madam Saadia Guhad praised the teachers and pupils for enduring under harsh condition without reliable water source.

“Arrangements are under way to have water bowser trucks take water to the needy schools,” she told education news, Similar harsh condition are being experienced in neighbouring Boka, Bengali , Asako , Bura East in Tana North sub county where learning has also been hugely affected

KNUT opposes stopping of BEd programme

By Staff Reporter Garissa KNUT Branch Executive Secretary Abdirizak Hussein has opposed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) proposal to scrap the Bachelor of Education (BED) degree programme.

He said it will be expensive for students to undergo one extra year of diploma in education training.

Hussein said it was inhumane for TSC which pays her employees peanuts to suggest that the BEd degree students should dig deeper in their pockets to foot a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PDDE).

“As an employer, TSC was never near where CBC curriculum design was being projected,” said Hussein.

He credited Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) then under Dr Julius Jwan and then Deputy

Abdirizak Hussein Garissa KNUT boss.

Vice Chancellor Administration of Kenyatta University Prof Fatuma Chege who chaired the CBC task force giving the roadmap for the rollout of 2-6-3-3-3 to replace 8-4-4 .

“In such a scenario

it was insincerity of the highest order for the TSC to hide behind CBC to try to suggest changes in teaching of the CBC grades,” said Hussein .

Since TSC didn’t take part in CBC design and those who spearheaded the process are now in the ministry of education, he advises them to only play an advisory role.

In addition, to be fair the TSC ought to point out deficiencies in the BEd course which the PGDE fulfils.

He said NorthEastern KNUT caucus is soon going to have a retreat to deliberate on the TSC moves some of which have unequivocally denied the Kenyan teacher their rights like labour representation.

Students asked to take marketable courses

By Our Reporter Mandera Governor Ali Roba and Eldas MP Aden Keynan have asked students in the region to apply and study for marketable courses.

Governor Roba said they should go for courses in engineering, teaching, architecture, livestock and agriculture which are the way to go.

“Embrace worthy courses that can easily create you jobs,” saidthe leaders, amongst many other elected North Eastern leaders who raised a total of Sh34, 560,900 for Madrasas in Mandera North constituency .

The fund raising event brought together a section of North Eastern leaders from Wajir , Mandera , and Garissa counties.

“We want our students to look at courses that are rewarding. They should study courses that can easily generate jobs,’’ said the second term governor.

Keynan challenged the students not to concentrate on courses like community development.

“Such courses are there but which community are you going to develop,’’ he posed.

EDUCATION NEWS

JUNE 20 - JULY 6, 2021

39

SPORTS

Sports, fun and thanksgiving by teachers

By Michael Oduor Teachers across the country normally use holidays and half terms to take a rest away from the busy schedule in classes.

They also use the time to engage in their personal activities including doing their own businesses and enjoying the moment with families.

But teachers in Taita Taveta County have defied the norm, and introduced a new strategy of utilizing their time off class work.

Teachers from Voi, Mwatate, Taita and Taveta had a memorable moment after participating in different sporting activities including playing football, volleyball and Tug of war for both men and women teams.

The event was organised by Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Timbila Boys High School in Taveta.

The fun and thanksgiving event was also used as a session for bonding to unite teachers who teach in different schools across the county but don’t know each other.

It also acted as a recreational retreat for teachers who refreshed their bodies in the process, as well as interacting with the county officials to share their experiences.

Taita Taveta Senator Jones Mwaruma applauded the teachers for their good work and efforts

they have put in to ensure students posts good results.

He also commended the unity of teachers in the region and promised to stand with teachers in their activities.

Taita Taveta KUPPET secretary General Shedrack Mutungi hailed the teachers for the support and unity they showed, urging them to continue working together to further improve education standards.

The Taita teachers team won volleyball followed by the Taveta teachers team in position two while Mwatate emerged third and Voi fourth, with the same teams winning football in similar order.

County government workers also played against KUPPET and won by hammering them 2-0 in soccer.

1 . Players celebrating.

2. Players preparing for the match.

3. Match between Taveta teachers team (in green) and Voi teachers team (pink).

4. KUPPET general secretary Taita Taveta branch Shedrack Mutungi chats with the players during the opening ceremony in Timbila Boys’ ground.

Photos/Michael Oduor

1

2

3

4

Suspension of instructors cripples Adult schools

By Roy Hezron Mass retirement of Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) instructors without replacement and suspension of part-time teachers has dealt a major blow in enrolment countrywide.

According to the latest statistics from the Directorate of ACE, a major drop was realized within a year that is between the months of March 2020 to March 2021.

“There was a major drop in enrolment by a total of 109, 667 adult learners which represents 60.09%,” says ACE.

By March 2020 before outbreak Covid-19, there were 182,518 leaners who had enrolled in various adult education centres undertaking various programmes of which 60, 328 were male while 122, 190 were female.

The number has dropped to 72, 851 leaners by March 2021 of with only 26, 931 were male and 45, 920 female leaners remaining.

Nakuru, Baringo, Makueni, Kitui and Meru are the only counties which are majorly affected by mass retirement and suspension of

part-time instructors.

According to statistics, Nakuru had a negative deviation of 6, 720 adult learners from 7, 386 to 666 adult learners, Baringo had a drop of 5, 347 adult learners from 6, 816 to 1, 469 adult learners, while Makueni had 5, 891 adult learners a drop from 7, 647 to 1, 756 adult learners.

Kitui and Meru counties recorded a negative deviation of 5, 954 leaners and 5, 147 adult learners respectively from 7, 647 to 1, 756 for Kitui, and Meru from 6, 033 adult learners to 886 adult learners.

Massive retirement without replacement and suspension of part-time instructors also greatly affected the Adult Basic Literacy (ABL) programme.

The ABL classes recorded a major drop in enrolment countrywide with only 82, 591 adult learners captured within the year under review which represents 65.58%.

By March 2020, this programme-ABL, had 125, 940 adult learners of whom 39, 581 them were male while female were 86, 359.

The number dropped to 43, 349 adult learners by March 2021 whereby only 14, 932 adult learners were male while 28, 417 adult learners are female.

Turkana, Garissa and Narok are the only counties that recorded a positive deviation (increase) in enrolment of 699, 501 and 241 adult learners respectively.

Turkana’s enrolment increased from 4, 196 to 4, 895 adult learners, Garissa increased from 3, 525 to 4, 026 adult learners while Narok’s enrolment increased from 2, 611 to 2, 852 adult learners within March 2020 to March 2021.

Homa Bay was the only county with static enrolment of 2, 428 adult learners of whom 637 are male and 1, 791 female.

Post Literacy (PL) programme was also affected on the enrolment whereby within the one year period, the programme lost 16, 861 adult learners between March 2020 and March 2021; from 27, 889 to only 11, 028 adult learners.

Only Marsabit County which recorded a positive deviation (increase) in enrolment in the PL programme by 15 adult learners from

151 to 166 adult learners; while 8 counties that is Tana River, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, Bungoma and Nyamira don’t offer the PL programme.

Despite the challenges, Information Communication Technology (ICT) for the blind has been promoted in collaboration with UNESCO. A computer laboratory has been installed at St. Peter Clavers ACE Centre in NaiKinara Nyabwari, Outgoing Director, robi, where Directorate of Adult and Continuing an e-learning Education. Photo/Our Reporter Centre was commis“In the past the learners did not sioned in June 2011. have an opportunity to continue Other centres, especially the after graduating from basic literacy Multi-Purpose Development Train- level,” noted Kinara Nyabwari, the ing Institutes (MDTIs) have also outgoing Director ACE. established computer laboratories, The government has provided where youth and adult learners, are funds for the refurbishment of 5 taken through various Computer MDTIs namely, Isinya, Kitui, MuPackages. lathankari, Ahero and Kakamega.

In addition, a total of 202 ConA second Literacy Survey and tinuing Education Adult Second- its related preparations are underary Learning Centres (Secondary way and is likely to be undertaken Schools) have been established and within the Medium Term Period III enrolled a total of 9,805 adult learn- period that is 2018/2022. ers to enable them pursue secondary education and beyond.

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Teachers to support Muturi as Mt Kenya spokesman

By Kamundia Muriithi Teachers from Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties have declared they will support National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi’s political ambitions.

They backed him, a few weeks after he was named as the Mt Kenya region spokesperson.

Knut and Kuppet officials from the three counties which make up the Mt Kenya East met Muturi at his home in Kanyuambora area of Embu County where they deliberated issues affecting teachers in the region.

The teachers declared their support to Muturi through a statement signed by Peter Karuti Nchebere – Kuppet Executive Secretary, Meru County Branch, his Tharaka Nithi County counterpart Patrick Gitonga and Embu’s Jacob Karura.

Others were Njeru Musa – Treasurer Knut Meru South Branch, Caxton Miungi – Executive Secretary knut Meru Branch, Ndia Watia - Executive Secretary Knut Tharaka Branch, Josphat

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi (centre) joins teachers in a jig moments before a meeting at his Kanyuambora home where they discussed issues affecting teachers. Photo/Kamundia Muriithi Kathumi - Executive Secretary Knut Embu Branch, Dicksom Murunguma - Executive Secre-

tary Knut Mbeere Branch and Johnson Gicheru – Chairman, Knut Nyambene Branch

The teachers assured Muturi that they will work with the ordinary people in the villages to push his agenda.

“The nature of our profession exposes us to every inch of the country and we also do have the instruments to mobilize nationally since our networks are farreaching,” they said.

They said Muturi has offered great leadership in Parliament as the Speaker of the National Assembly and as the third in command in the country.

“Once our elders speak, we listen. Therefore, today, having considered the voices of people on the ground and the guidance offered by our elders, we have unanimously endorsed Muturi as the spokesperson of the entire Mt. Kenya region,” they also an-

nounced.

The teachers also urged Muturi to move with speed and consolidate the region while articulating the issues affecting the people.

“We also urge our counterparts in the Western part of the Mountain to give their support to Muturi as he moves the unity agenda of our region forward,” they said..

They promised to work from the villages to the urban places to rally people to be solidly behind Muturi as he executes his mandate In his remarks, Muturi asked the Teachers Service Commission to start functioning like an independent commission and not be arm twisted.

“How can you provide for unions and then on the other hand through the executive undermine them. A mature democracy is one that is not afraid of criticism,” said Muturi.

He warned TSC officials not to be happy with the suffering of teachers.

The teachers assured Muturi that they will work with the ordinary people in the villages to push his agenda.

Magoha bans use of school buses for private functions

By Our Reporters Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has announced a ban on the hiring of school buses for private events as a means of protecting learners from Covid-19.

Prof. Magoha who was quoted by the media during the release of Form One selection results for the 2020 KCPE candidates at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) on June 15, 2021 stated that anybody seeking services of school buses must get authority from the Ministry of Education.

“For the avoidance of doubt, school buses are to carry children using Covid-19 protocols, action is to be taken against anybody using the buses for any other reason,” he said.

He added: “We will not sit and allow people to misuse facilities of our children.We will give authorization from Jogoo House, it does not matter if you are a government official.”

The move drew different reactions on Twitter from Kenyans

countrywide with some supporting and others opposing the directive.

For instance Cyprian Ongeri reacted and said, “in high school, we contributed yearly for our bus that was, finally, purchased while in form four. Where was the ministry involved in that process? Magoha should just go back to run KNEC, that’s where

School buses.

he thrives.”

Kimutai Kemboi wrote and said, “most of these buses are as a result of community efforts, parents contributions, Harambee, why should he deny the same community opportunity to utilize the buses considering they are cheap to hire?”

Grace Wanjiru said, “I’m pretty sure it benefits the school

to earn something extra. Should hiring of school grounds for social functions also require approval from the ministry?”

Nyanza Regional Commissioner Magu Mutindika previously issued a directive banning the use of school buses in ferrying mourners to burials and weddings in the region.

In a circular dated June 14, 2021 Mutindika directed all the

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For the avoidance of doubt, school buses are to carry children using Covid-19 protocols, action is to be taken against anybody using the buses for any other reason.

- Prof. Magoha

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six county commissioners in charge of Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Nyamira and Kisii to implement the directive forthwith.

“Due to cases of Covid-19 Pandemic in the region, it has been decided that no school or institution’s bus will be allowed to carry people going to funerals or weddings,” reads the circular in part.

The RC maintains that the decision was made to curb the surging numbers of new coronavirus infections in the region, and further directed police in the region to impound all school buses that contravene the directive.

“You should ensure that the directive is implemented fully until advised otherwise,” noted Mutindika in the circular.

The directives were copied to PS Karanja Kibicho of interior and coordination of national government, PS Dr. Julius Jwan of basic education, Nyanza Regional Police Commander and Nyanza Regional Director of Education.

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