EDUCATION by Gabriel M Sankale

Kenya’s best varsities, colleges, SAGAS named

niversity of Embu was ranked the best performing state corporation in service delivery in the country as Siaya emerged top among Technical Training Istitutes.The university was ranked in the recent evaluation report of performance contracting carried out by the Public Service.

Special report on pages 19,20,21,22,23

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News

What teachers lost in new CBA

TSC had initially proposed a salary offer of between 16 to 32% to teachers as part of the CBA negotiations.

Shortage of QASOs affects fire safety in schools

»» Page 2

ECDE centres get 25% of County budgets »» Page 3

»» STORY PAGE 4

Muslims ask for more IRE teachers »» Back Page BEHIND THE CURTAINS

Meet man who was ‘headmistress’ for 7 years

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia and KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu exchange copies of the CBA after the signing ceremony at Safari Park Hotel recently. Photo/Daniel Ogendo

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

»» Page 31

Our enrolment for September 2021 intake in Certificates, Diploma, Under Graduate and Post Graduate programmes in the following schools is ongoing.

• School of Arts & Social Sciences • School of Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences & Technology • School of Business &Economics • School of Computing & Informatics

• School of Education • School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance • School of Engineering and Built Environment • School of Natural Sciences

• School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedical Sciences • School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences & Technology • School of Medicine

For online application login to >>>application.mmust.ac.ke. For more information contact us: 0572505222, www.mmust.ac.ke

EDUCATION NEWS

Shortage of QASOs dents fire safety in schools Schools are, therefore, not comprehensively assessed on fire safety preparedness. Consequently, most schools were not getting expert advice on measures they need to take to ensure that they are well prepared to handle fire incidences - revealed the report. By Our Reporter

schools in need of assessments, it was not practically possible for assessments to be conducted at least once in every two years,” reads the report findings in part. According to the audit findings of the sampled five counties, Kiambu County which has 12 sub-counties, 8 sub-counties only had one Sub-County QASOs (SQASOs). One Sub-county had only two (2) SQASOs, while three (3) subcounties had no SQASOs. Uasin Gishu County which had 6 sub-counties had only four (4) sub-counties having one (1) SQASOs while one sub-county had two SQASOs with one sub-county hav-

some schools in very remote areas, which hinder regular assessment of schools notably those in interior areas. Another loophole that the AG identified was on the quality index tool which the QASOs use to carry out the assessment, which she noted that it only touches on general issues dealing with fire safety preparedness. “Schools are, therefore, not comprehensively assessed on fire safety preparedness. Consequently, most schools were not getting expert advice on measures they need to take to ensure that they are well prepared to handle fire incidences,” revealed the report.

Shortage of Quality Assurance and Standard Officers (QASOs) at Sub-County level and scarce resources has been blamed for the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) failure to ensure Secondary Schools are prepared to handle fire incidences in schools. According to Auditor General’s report on Performance Audit Report on Fire Safety Performance in Secondary Schools by the Ministry of Education dated September 2020, there was a shortage of 473 QASOs in 286 Sub-Counties with only 385 QASOs available against 858 which is the ideal number of QASO’s required. Worst Fire The Safety Standards Incidents Manual for Schools in One of the ghastly Kenya 2008 requires that school fires that went school safety assessment down in the country’s which includes fire safety history is the Kyanguli preparedness, be monitored fire tragedy of 2001, by QASO’s as part of their which happened on the routine advisory visits to night of between March schools. 25 and 26, 2001 at KyThe schools are supanguli High School. posed to be assessed at least The fire consumed once in every two years, and one of the dormitories to follow up on implemenin which students were tation of their recommensleeping. Sixty-seven dations within three to six (67) of the students were months after issuing an asburnt to death and others sessment report. sustained various physiThe Auditor General cal injuries. Nancy Gathungu sought to It was not possible find out whether the MOE to identify 58 of the stuhad ensured that secondary dents who died in the schools are prepared to hanfire, as they were burnt dle fire incidences and exbeyond recognition. amined the ministry’s fire Auditor General Nancy Gathungu Survivors claimed safety preparedness activiboth doors were locked ties for the period 2014/15from outside, which was 2018/19. evident from the many bodies piled For QASOs to work efficiently ing none of the SQASOs. In Siaya County which had six next to a window. during assessment process, the best The then President, the late practice requires the officers to be (6) sub-counties, the auditor general a team of at least three officers in found out that five (5) sub-counties Daniel Moi visited the school that each sub-county for them to form a had only one QASO’s, with one afternoon and ordered for thorough panel to assess a school effectively. sub-county having two while none investigation. The government deof the sub-county had two QASOs. clined requests by parents to view Machakos County with 9 sub- the bodies because they were unDuring the audit period, a total of 42 secondary schools were sam- counties had 7 sub-counties having identifiable. All bodies were buried pled from five (5) counties which one QASOs, one sub-county having in one grave. At Asumbi Girls Boarding Priare Machakos, Siaya, Uasin Gishu, two while one having none. In Kajiado, three sub-counties mary School in August 2012, 8 Kajiado and Kiambu as case studies based on prevalence of fire in- had only one QASO; one sub- pupils died in a fire incident which county had two of them while the broke out in one of the dormitories cidences. According to audit findings, all other one sub-county had none of which was caused by electricity fault. the sampled counties had less than the QASOs. Apart from understaffing, the Another incident was in Septhree QASOs in all their sub-counties, a situation that forced them to audit report reveals that the MOE tember 2017 at Moi Girls in Naicollaborate with other sub-counties had not ensured that the QASOs robi where at least eight students so as to form a team of at least three have adequate resources like motor were killed and 10 others taken to officers to enable them conduct as- vehicles to facilitate logistics for as- hospital after a fire broke out at one sessment of schools. of the dormitories. sessments in schools. For instance, in Isinya subIn 2019 alone, more than 120 The QASOs normally carry out assessments in all primary, second- county in Kajiado County; the QA- schools were set ablaze in less than ary and tertiary institutions in their SOs did not have motor vehicles 3 months. to facilitate their movement and respective sub-counties. “Consequently, due to the many yet the sub-counties are vast with

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

MMUST builds Sh1.2 billion International Labour Centre By Tindi Kuchio Since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the country in March last year, the management of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has prioritized the needs of students by putting more emphasis on measures that will help contain the spread of the virus in the institution. The university has set up a Covid-19 emergency response team to handle and manage any emergencies within the institution and its environs.

nutrition security, health care, housing and manufacturing. In pursuit of our vision of being a centre of excellence in science, technology and innovation, stakeholders and partners of the university have identified technology, engineering and medicine as our flagship programmes,” stated Prof. Shibairo. He added that MMUST was the only university known in the country as a centre of excellence in disaster management and humanitarian assistance. Prof. Shibairo said that the university had partnered

Prof. Solomon Shibairo - Acting Vice-Chancellor, MMUST.

Speaking to Education News recently, the university’s acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, confirmed that the institution had redesigned its physical infrastructure to comply with the Ministry of Health guidelines on social distancing and provision of sanitation booths. He said the university had also restructured its mode of content delivery to accommodate blended teaching and learning. Prof. Shibairo revealed that MMUST was among the first universities in the country to fully embrace online teaching and learning following the closure of all institutions in March last year. That enabled the institution to cover course content with the students and to administer online examinations. He said both staff and students were trained on the use of the ODEL platform and were able to continue with learning activities adding that the university was also able to conduct virtual postgraduate thesis defences. The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the university had developed a five -year Strategic Plan to drive its agenda in the academia, research and community engagement. He further noted that the university recently signed a Performance Contract with the Government to align its agenda with the Government strategy that is anchored on Africa Agenda 2063, Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda. “Our syllabi have been revised to take into account issues to do with food and

with the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), together with MasterCard Foundation, to enable its graduates get job opportunities in ICT. That, he noted, would make graduates from the university competitive in the job market. He thanked the Ministry of Education for financing the university’s capital development projects and recurrent expenditure. The university administrator pointed out that the institution was in need of additional funding to boost its effort to strengthen the accreditation status in the schools of medicine and engineering. “We need funds to develop an Engineering and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Complex for the engineering and technology students as well as teaching facilities and laboratories for health sciences,” said the Vice-Chancellor. He confirmed that the university was currently putting up a Sh1.2 billion Dr. Atwoli International Centre for Labour and Leadership Studies through the efforts of Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU)’s SecretaryGeneral, Dr. Francis Atwoli. Prof. Shibairo further noted that the university was keen in running income generating activities including offering catering and accommodation services, conference facilities, farm produce and production of tools and equipment through its mechanical and engineering workshop.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

ECDE to get 25% schools budget By Justina Chomba The Ministry of Education and County governments have agreed to allocate 25% of the education budget to Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE). The agreement was reached by stakeholders who attended a validation workshop to discuss the Inquiry Report on the status of ECDE in the country. Among those who attended were Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who is the Council of Governors Education Committee chairman and the Chief Administrative Education CAS Sarah Ruto (right) with KEPSA Head of early Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry Year Education, Mary Olubayi (centre) and KEPSA Chair, Sarah Ruto. Mutheu Kasanga at a past function. Mutahi said ECDE was underfunded and called for support plementation of the ECDE Teach- such as teacher training and on-job from the national government for ers’ Schemes of Service among support, curriculum development, more budgetary allocation to cater other resolutions that touched on learning materials and quality asfor different programmes including the welfare of the young learner. surance mechanisms. feeding. Also discussed were issues to Challenges to be urgently reThey asked the Ministry of Ed- do with a feeding programme for solved include, inadequate staffing, ucation and Council of Governors the learners to ensure proper nutri- limited availability of appropriate to ring fence resources for hiring tion, enrolment and infrastructure at teaching, learning and playing maand remunerating ECDE teachers. the centres. terials. The participants also recomMutahi told the Parliamentary Others are limited community mended the harmonization of Select Committee on Education participation and inadequate comCounty ECDE policies with the that the council was working on a prehensive nutrition and health supNational Pre-Primary Education proposal to have ECDEs allocated port services. Policy (2017). more funding to address the emergDue to inadequate resources, They further suggested speedy ing challenges. an annual capitation of Sh2,292 per operationalisation of the County “Stakeholders should support learner was proposed on ECDE fiEducation Boards established un- County Governments in achieving nancing to ensure implementation der section 20 of Basic Education the potential of the young learners of Basic Education. Act. which will consequently help attain The grant highlights nine key They said there was need to the Big Four agenda and Kenya’s budget lines to enhance preprimary structure policy and legal frame- Vision 2030,” he said. education among them Learning work implementation plans for The four-day meeting also re- Resources, Teacher Guides, TeachECDE programs. solved to have a kitty to cater for ing & Learning Aids, Stationery The participants recommended non-salary recurrent expenditures (whiteboards & registers), Envithe ratification and immediate im-

Funding has been a major challenge in this sector while efforts by counties to employ more staff have been affected by the high wage bill- Mutahi Kahiga ronment & Sanitation, Science and Applied Technology, ICT Infrastructure & Maintenance, Morning Meals and Staff & Maintenance. The report submitted the need to establish a conditional grant for ECDE to augment existing resources by the County Governments, similar to the Vocational Training Centres Conditional Grant. The grant is expected to strengthen existing interventions by the County Governments towards the improvement of services at the County ECDE Centres. The report further indicated the need for CoG in partnership with the County Public Service Boards, Ministry of Education, Teachers’ Service Commission, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Salaries and Remuneration Commission and support from UNICEF

to develop the first-ever ECDE Teachers’ Scheme of Service launched in the year 2018. The Scheme of Service guides the recruitment and career progression of ECDE teachers across the country. On legislation and policies regarding ECDE, the report stated that 32 County Governments had passed legislation on education including on ECDE and vocational training by July 2020. “This has further led to the adoption of the Pre-Primary Education Policy by the County Governments,” read part of the submissions in the report. Kahiga who is also the Nyeri Governor said that under the new programme all ECDE teachers would be put under a scheme of service. “Funding has been a major challenge in this sector while efforts by counties to employ more staff have been affected by the high wage bill,” he said. Ruto said ECDE was very crucial in the child’s foundation and hence the need for more support. She said the government will financially support disabled teachers in colleges due to their demands while in training. “Under the new programme all ECDE teachers will have to get a diploma certificate and there will be a scheme of service and a curMutahi Kahiga, Nyeri riculum for them,” she said. Governor during this year’s Meanwhile, plans are underway by Parliament to review capi96th International Cotation funds allocated to secondary operative Alliance Day at schools because current figures are YMCA hall in Nyeri town. outdated. Photo/Asa Maina

TTCs second intake suspended A circular from the Ministry of Education to the Principals of DPTCs informed them that the process will proceed after necessary logistics are completed.

Trainees will be in college for three years in the new curriculum unlike before where they used to study for only 2 years. By Roy Hezron The second intake of trainee teachers to Public Diploma Primary Teachers College (DPTC) that was to take place this month has been postponed to a later date. A circular from the Ministry of Education to the Principals of DPTCs informed them that the process will proceed after necessary logistics are completed. “We shall inform you when the exercise will be done once we are through with the necessary logistics,” reads the message to the Principals. At the same time, the Ministry has advised the Private Teachers Colleges to wait until next month

to be told the way forward on admitting new students into the new Diploma programme. That implies that private colleges might wait longer to start admitting students since there are no ongoing admissions. A total of 24 Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) had expected to receive students in the second intake to take place later this month. Only six colleges, Machakos, Thogoto, Shanzu, Egoji, Baringo and Migori received trainees in the first intake that saw 1400 distrib- Dr. Julius Jwan, PS Basic uted in the March recruitment. Education. They were expected to have joined their respective colleges in ma in Primary Teacher and ECDE process began June 16, 2021 to get June 2, 2021. The second intake in the Diplo- enough students for the Teacher Training Colleges which have been

renamed Public Diploma Primary Teachers College (DPTC). The government had targeted to place about 7, 000 students in 30 Public TTCs across the Country but only six received students in the first intake. The pre-service teacher trainees are expected to be trained on the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) when they join their respective public teacher colleges. Selected candidates had been expected to report on July 27, 2021 after recently released guidelines said all trainees for Public Diploma Primary Teacher Training Colleges and Early Childhood Development Education must report on that date. The new entry grade has been

raised from C- (minus) to C (plain) for both the courses for KCSE certificate holders, with C (plain) in English or Kiswahili, Mathematics, and any Humanity and a Science subject. This is a shift from the previous norm where those who had a mean grade of C- (minus) were taken directly with no specification being attached to any subject. However candidates with disabilities and who have a KCSE mean grade of C- (minus) will be given priority in the recruitment process that has kicked off countrywide. Trainees will be in college for three years in the new curriculum unlike before where they used to study for only 2 years. They will also go through a three month micro-teaching course commonly known to many as teaching practice, which will also apply to those taking DECTE. The Primary Teacher Education (PTE) commonly known as P1 Certificate has been renamed Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE).

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

What Teachers will miss in New CBA June this year SRC diminished teachers’ hopes when it froze salary reviews for all civil servants and State officers owing to the economic slowdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. By Roy Hezron All the 330,671 teachers in both public primary and secondary schools will now endure a four year wait to get a salary hike. That is after their unions agreed to suspend their proposals in the 2020 – 2025 CBA after striking an agreement with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) agreed to a non-monetary deal offered by the employer. The three unions had earlier re- TSC CEO Nancy Macharia and KUPPET national officials after they signed the new jected the counter offer by TSC on CBA. Photo/Courtesy June 29, 2021 in a four hour meeting at Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel. The unions were urged to shelve in hardship areas and transferring of Oyuu. ers who had anticipated receiving any salary increment demands but couples to schools near each other He made the remarks after a huge package had the CBA been instead agree to other conditions subject to the availability of vacan- emerging from the first meeting at adopted. that will improve the teachers’ cies. Safari Park Hotel in June 29, 2021 For instance, KUPPET had working conditions. The deal, however, will not af- which came just few days after he pitched a salary increment of beBut in the agreed deal the fect about 16,000 Knut members had been elected into office to re- tween 30 and 70% for the new unions agreed to the TSC proposed who missed phase three and four place Wilson Sossion. CBA, which meant that the lowest terms during the 2021-2025 Collec- of the 2017-2021 Sh54 billion pay KUPPET Secretary General paid teachers would get the higher tive Bargaining Agreement (CBA, package CBA and will receive their Akelo Misori also said they had percentage with highest paid teachmeaning that teachers will continue dues in full. made a difficult decision to reject ers getting the lower percentage. earning their respective salaries for Initially, the unions had strongly the TSC proposal. The lowest-paid teacher’s salthe next four years. rejected their employer’s proposal “TSC must put its house in or- ary was to rise from Sh21,756 Among the issues that employer maintaing that they would not ac- der and within the next seven days to Sh36,985 and those in higher promised the unions in the 2021- cept anything rather than pay incre- bring a counter offer which is ac- cadres under Job Group D4 from 2025 non-monetary CBA, are an in- ment. ceptable,” added Misori during that Sh118,242 to Sh153,714. crease of maternity leave days from “TSC came with a very surpris- joint press briefing. KNUT had proposed a salary inthe present 90 days to 120 days and ing offer on the table, the proposal The story was, however, differ- crement of between 120 and 200% paternity leave from the present 14 was very strong on maternity and ent after the second meeting when which implied that the monthly badays to 21 days. paternity leave but will this bring TSC managed to convince them to sic salary for the lowest-paid teachThe union and employer also food to the table?” posed new accept the offer. ers in Grade B5 would have risen agreed on the promotion of teachers KNUT Secretary General Collins It is a blow to classroom teach- from Sh21,756 to a maximum of

Sh87,024. Salaries of the highest-paid teachers in Grade D5 would have increased from Sh131,380 to a maximum Sh394,140. TSC had initially sent its proposed salary offer of between 16 to 32% to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in September 2020 for advice. The employer had recommended that teachers below Grade C4 to D5 get a 16% salary increment while teachers in Grade B5 to C3 would have gotten a 32% raise. But in a circular dated November 2020 titled Remuneration Guidelines for Public Sector, SRC stated that any future salary increment in the public service including teaching will be pegged on the state of the country’s economy. “Ability of the economy to sustain increased labour cost shall be considered in determining the level and timing of any awards on remuneration,” stated SRC in the circular. The SRC ruled out the possibility of teachers getting enhanced allowances and maintained that it will give priority to basic salary. Teachers’ hopes for better pay in the new CBA were further dashed after Treasury early this year advised SRC that only 10% of the proposed pay review across civil service will be available. And then in June SRC diminished teachers’ hope when it froze salary reviews for all civil servants and State officers owing to the economic slowdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kuppet branches ask for promotion letters and local exam marking centres By Tsozungu Kombe Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) officials have called for the release of promotion letters for teachers and the decentralization of exams marking centres. The call was made by officials in Kilifi and Vihiga counties respectively. In Kilifi, the area branch Executive Secretary, Caleb Mogere asked the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to release promotion letters for the teachers. The official said the issue should be handled with urgency so that those interviewed can know their fate. “Most head teachers get frustrated because they work in an acting capacity for a long time without being confirmed,” noted Mogere. Mogere also urged the government to gazette Chonyi, Kaloleni and Rabai sub counties in Kilifi County as hardships areas because teachers there face a lot of hardships. “The cost of living in these

Kuppet Kilifi branch Executive Secretary, Mr Caleb Mogere (centre) flanked by branch Treasurer Mae Kitsao Ngowa (left) and another official Dennis Pundo during a press briefing. Photo/Tsozungu Kombe areas is very high and, therefore, teachers should be considered for enhanced house allowance to enable them discharge their daily duties more efficiently and effectively,” said Mogere. He also asked Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) to hasten the payment for teach-

ers who were contracted to mark both Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. “The teachers have not been paid their money even after results were released some months ago,” he said.

He said some teachers had already budgeted for that money which is not forthcoming hence causing depression. “These teachers are always frustrated by KNEC which pays only Sh150 as co-ordination fee per day and less than Sh100 per script they mark which is not

enough,” said Mogere. Meanwhile, in Vihiga, Kuppet officials urged the government to devolve marking centres in future to protect teachers from being exposed to Covid-19 in the zoned areas. Branch Executive Secretary Sabala Inyeni said the centres should be to decentralised to stop teachers from travelling to Nairobi for the marking exercise. “The government zones counties with high Covid-19 infections rates, so why expose teachers to places with high infections? Why don’t they devolve marking centres?” posed Inyeni. He said there are very many good schools in other parts of the country that accommodate the national exercise. “Most of these teachers who go for these exercise the likes of Chief Examiners and assistant chief examiners are not teachers below the age of 50 years, the age category we are being told is at higher risk,” said Inyeni.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS ADVERTISING FEATURE

Rift Valley Technical Training Institute holds 9th International interdisciplinary conference

The Virtual Learning centre set to be opened.

Guests pose for a group photo during the conference. By Dennis Bett

he Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) successfully hosted a two day International Conference marked by good attendance and display of modern innovations and creativity of TVET players in line with the new technology. The event themed ‘Enhancing change and building resilience in TVET in times of uncertainty’ was graced by top players in the industry who included Vocational and Technical Training PS. Dr Margret Mwakima who was represented by Jane Karuki, TVET Director Dr. Tom Mulati, Mbeya University, Tanzania Vice Chancellor, Prof Joseph Msambichaka and Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Hon. Daniel Chemno among others. The event was also attended by TVET principals from all over the country, AfriTVET editorial Board which was at the core of the planning and other organisations which include CAPA, UNEVOC,TVETA, EAC, SITVES, ZIZIAfrique, CONVET and TEVET Zambia. Keynote speeches were delivered during the event in line with the theme with workshops being held

Mr Isaac Bwambok, Principal. across different rooms. Participants from all works of life gave their presentations on researches done which were overseen by panelists led by persons who moderated the presentations. This was preceded by innovation contest awards which saw participants from different institutions being awarded for their best innovations with banker’s cheque worth thousands of shillings. Contrary to the previous occasions, the event was held virtually through the Modern RVTTI Virtual Centre which is fully equipped with

a studio for recording and airing live presentations and a conference room where guests can follow proceedings. Speaking during the colourful ceremony, the RVTTI Principal, Mr Isaac Bwambok said the college is one of the leading institutions in the county in technology and supporting innovativeness, adding that they are running a three year innovation project funded by the government of Canada. He noted that due to challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, the college has come up with a learning management system which allows students to study virtually as they have been facilitated with internet monthly bundles worth 10 GB to study at home. “We are glad to host the 9th International Conference bringing together innovators and researchers across the globe. We have launched

This year’s theme was

Enhancing change and building resilience in TVET in times of uncertainty’

The Principal, Mr Isaac Bwambok, the Board of Governors Chairman, Prof Some and guests keenly following proceedings during the 9th International Conference.

Mr Bwambok thanked the National and County Governments for fully supporting the institution by funding students through the National Youth Service, sponsoring students for various courses as well as spearheading TVET programmes across the county.

the 6th edition of RVTTI journal and resolved to have it annually to foster innovations. We thank the Board of Management for good coordination and the innovators for the good presentations,” the Principal said challenging TVET students to be job creators as opposed to job seeking saying that it has good rewards. Mr Bwambok thanked the National and County governments for fully supporting the institution by funding students through the National Youth Service, sponsoring students for various courses as well as spearheading TVET programmes across the county. The Principal revealed plans to establish a technical Institute named ‘Tiaty Technical Training Institute’ in Tiaty sub-county, Chemolingot which is in its final stages scheduled to be opened soon. The Technical Training PS lauded the college for establishing an historic Virtual Conference cen-

tre which is fully equipped which she said will up technology and solve challenges brought about by Covid-19. TVET Director Mr Tom Mulati disclosed that the Ministry is putting its focus in communication strategy which will help learners in the TVET industry to keep abreast with what is happening in the sector so that they can pick up and commercialize on opportunities. The DG Hon Chemno said that the county has supported over 1000 students to pursue different courses, adding that they have encouraged the youth to join marketable and practical courses which will enable them create jobs. The Board of Governors (BOG) Chairman, Prof. David Some said that because of its fast growth in different fields of learning, the college is poised to become a National Polytechnic, adding that they are ISO 9001:2015 certified.

RVTTI Board Chairman, Prof. Some handing over a dummy cheque to a student who won in the innovations category.

Presenters displaying innovation contest awards together with TVET officials.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Chesamisi Boys shines in 2020 KCSE exams

Students posing for a photo alongside their school bus.

Mr Christopher Kipkemboi Serem, School Principal.

school strong guidance and counselling department and the chaplaincy. “ T h e s c h o o l managed to post good grades because of support and teamwork from teachers, students and the support staff. My teachers are go-getters who

sacrifice their time and energies in producing good results through making a very tight routine and use of quality revision materials,” the Principal noted, adding that the school is targeting a mean of 8.5 in 2021 KCSE examinations. He asserted that the school has put in place elaborate plans which will ensure that it not only becomes a national academic giant, but also produce an all-rounded boy-child who can conquer the globe. The Principal said that through

behaviour, good staffing, a cordial relationship with the community who supply commodities to the school and participate in school games and activities,” he noted. Serem said that they are working on teachers’ workshops which are subject based, cohort students according to their abilities, motivating teaching and nonteaching staff as well as setting targets by students of all forms all solely to acquire success. He noted the school has started

By Dennis Bett Chesamisi Boys High School situated in Bungoma County, Kimilili sub-county produced exemplary results in 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. The school managed to send 163 of its students who had C+ and above marks to university under the Government sponsored programme compared to 103 in 2018. The school which is one of the shining stars in the county and region has since inception produced alumni who have shaped different careers across the country and the globe. They include Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, Kibabii University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo, former powerful minister Zakayo Cheruiyot, Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba, Bungoma Deputy Governor Prof Charles Ngome among many others. Speaking to Education News in his office, the School Principal, Mr Christopher Kipkemboi Serem attributed the success to hard work by the students, early syllabus coverage, and use of professional talk speakers who motivated the boys as well as co-ordination among the teaching staff who sacrificed their time for the boys. The Principal singled out discipline as one of the major factors which influenced success, coordinated by his two deputies, the

The school managed to send

163

of its students who had C+ and above marks to university under the Government sponsored programme compared to 103 in 2018.

Teaching staff.

Mr Joseck Wanyonyi, Deputy Principal Administration. the school’s strategic plan blueprint, the institution is focusing on infrastructure development to meet the rising demand of students and restructuring the sporting activities to ensure that the school rises to the national levels in different games hence nurturing their talents. “We have a strong team of Board of Management (BOM) led by the Chairperson, Dr Risper Namasaka and parents who greatly support the school programmes. The school’s strengths are on good entry

Mr Mark Namukhasi, Deputy Principal, Academics.

plans to construct a multi-storey dormitory with a capacity of 400 students and expanding the dining hall, adding that they are expanding on the number of laboratories in the school with the latest being constructed by the area NG-CDF led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa. He called upon different partners to support the school in initiating development projects to make the school a conducive place for learning. Mr Serem said the school is doing well in co-curricular activities, having participated up to the regional levels in football and volleyball while drama and table tennis went up to the national levels in 2019. He said hockey basketball, lawn tennis teams participated in the competitions up to the national level. The Principal said that he has managed to address the needs and challenges of the boys by holding forums with them after every two weeks so as to respond to any concerns as they arise.

Students.

Newly constructed laboratories.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Fr. Ouderaa shapes destiny of hearing impaired students By Erick Nyayiera

r. Ouderaa Special Secondary School in Bondo, Siaya County is undoubtedly Kenya’s all-time best institution in its category having maintained stellar performance over the years since 2012 when it registered its first KCSE students. The Special Secondary School has continued to shape the destiny of learners, with many alumni now actively involved in the key areas of the economy like the education sector, NonGovernmental Organisations and technical expertise among other essential services. Founding Principal Samuel Demba’s stewardship has enabled the school to play in its own league after striving to vehemently ensure the special needs students

The special schools policy dictates that only 15 students can learn in one classroom. The school also has a total of 17 support staff who the school struggles to pay. In the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam results, the school posted a mean of 3.227 which is an improvement from the mean of 2.35 it had 2019. “A girl who was our leading student qualified for direct entry to university. We had no grade E meaning there was no wastage as all of them are able to do craft courses including taking up Technical and Vocational training and joining Teacher Training Colleges.” Demba explained. In his development plans, the Principal has purposed to rehabilitate the old school block with the Maintenance and Infrastructure Fund (MIF). He has constructed a Sh4.2 million boys dormitory, a modern tuition block and also done extension work on the girls’ dormitory at a cost of Sh2.4 million. The school has also constructed a modern ablution block complete with bathrooms

3.227

Principal, Samuel Demba. are accorded the best care amidst glaring challenges the institution contends with. After spirited efforts, the Principal managed to request the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to post 10 teachers to the three- streamed school. They have also employed more teachers on Board of Management (BOM) terms to cater for a population of over 150 students drawn from all parts of Kenya. “I came to this school in 2013 as the Principal as the only TSC teacher and then another teacher was posted after one term who would act as the deputy Principal, but from 2016 TSC has given us eight teachers which is quite commendable,” noted Demba.

THE MEAN the school posted in 2020 KCSE, an improvement from 2019’s 2.35 and a neat modern tuition block which hosts all the classrooms. The school also has dairy cattle project, which is an incomegenerating project that also provides milk tea for learners as part of the healthy diet. “We still have a challenge of a modern dining hall, a school bus for transportation and staff houses,” noted Demba. The school also needs a steady supply of water because it uses over Sh80,000 monthly to pay water bowser which eats into the meagre resources. Demba, a vocal champion of

Fr. Ouderaa students in Science class. quality special education in Kenya is grateful that the Ministry of Education and TSC have made deliberate efforts to ensuring that special education is given the necessary support. He is also happy that teachers are able to properly mould learners with competencies to make them meet the market demands of the 21st century. He however observed that schools still face teacher shortages which ought to be addressed with some measure of special focus and attention. He says in the recent TSC teachers recruitment advertisement, only 20 schools were given just one position each to recruit. He said the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) is the best model for special schools because deaf students will score well in practical exams unlike the current theoretical education system that works to their disadvantage. “Just like IGCSE curriculum, CBC gives the choice because there is no need to force a child who will never be a scientist to do pure sciences,” he noted. He said they know the talents of their students which they will work and encourage them to pursue. “If a child wants to do medicine, let them not do physics unless that physics is adopted in medicine however they only need

Just like IGCSE curriculum, CBC gives the choice because there is no need to force a child who will never be a scientist to do pure sciences Main Gate.

- THE PRINCIPAL

to study biological sciences,” he added. He however said the problem with the CBC rollout in special schools will be if the funding will come from the parents because it needs so much money that they won’t be able to manage. “Government funding must be given in good time because unlike regular schools, we can’t ask our parents to help us pay in facilitating the CBC rollout,” he observed. Demba also noted that special schools lack facilities for social sciences, arts, sports and performing arts that are required in the CBC rollout. “Students will come with a focus on one area which will be tested for certification like swimming when they come for Senior High School, yet the school has no swimming pool and yet you can’t force that child to take handball or basketball,” said Demba..

That therefore means that the government must be ready to fund the schools to put up necessary facilities. He also noted that teachers too need to be trained properly to change their attitudes towards the CBC agenda. He regretted that even in Fr. Ouderaa Secondary School For the Hearing Impaired has no single teacher who has been trained on the new curriculum yet they are expected to enrol the children for CBC in 2023. “Primary schools didn’t work well on the CBC because they didn’t understand it any way and there was no teaching of practical subjects in the schools,” he said He therefore regretted that when they transit to secondary schools, teachers will be expected to give them their pathways and career choices albeit without proper capacities.

Dairy project.

Boys Dormitory.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

KCSE results steadily improving at Kemeloi Boys

Kiptoo Kimosop, Senior Principal.

Mr Bernard Too, Deputy Principal.

In 2020 KCSE, the school managed a mean score of 7.7118 up from 6.4278 of 2019, attaining a positive deviation of 1.284. Kemeloi Boys retained its position as a top school with an impeccable 141 out of 170 candidates qualifying for university entry. The school is located within the

Rift Valley region of Kenya in Nandi County. Kimosop attributed the exemplary results to hard work and discipline among learners. “Teachers work as a team to teach and re-teach students in small groups on an ongoing basis to help students master subjects,” explained

Kimosop. The Principal said the students of Kemeloi Boys High School continue to grow in achievement through the collective efforts of all stakeholders which include students, parents, teachers, and the community. The extra county school with six streams has a student population

By Leonard Angatia Kemeloi Boys High School performance continued to significantly improve, according to released Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2020 exam results. “For several years, we are seeing continued, steady improvements, which means more students are performing at higher levels”, said Teachers pose for a photo. Senior Principal Kiptoo Kimosop.

Modern hostel.

AG says Sh800m spent on unknown varsity projects By Roy Hezron Over Sh800 million disbursed to various universities in the 2019/2020 financial year was spent on unspecified projects. The Auditor General’s report says the money allocated through the State Department for University Education was not linked to any specific project. The Auditor General Nancy Gathungu revealed that Sh834,817,364 may have been misused because it was not assigned to projects at various universities. “The disbursements were not linked to specific projects yet a review of the monitoring and evaluation report for the year ended December, 2019 indicated ongoing projects in the respective institutions,” noted Gathungu in her report. Consequently, it was impossible to ascertain the propriety of the disbursements amounting to Sh834,817,364 for

Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, PS University Education and Research. the year ended 30 June, 2020. Affected universities are Koitalel Samoei Sh79, 982, 744, Gatundu University 82,693,639, Bomet Sh275m, Tom Mboya University College Sh105, 870, 989, Alupe Sh150,215,378 and Kaimosi Sh 141,054,614. Eleven out of forty-one

universities had their capitations amount increased by 20 per cent above the previous year, while capitation for Koitalel Samoei was reduced by 17 per cent. “The basis of the significant increase of capitation to the respective institutions and the reduction of capitation to Koitalel Samoei University College was not explained,” stated the report. The report said it was not possible to confirm the validity and propriety disbursement of over Sh5 billion to universities for the year ended June 30, 2020. Multimedia University received Sh 619,514 above the approved budget of the capital grants to universities. “Examination of payment vouchers for the financial year 2019/2020 revealed that an amount of Sh5,580,848,844 was disbursed to universities for various projects,” says the AG. No contract documents, valuation certificates or projects status reports were, however, made available by the State Department in support of the

disbursements. The audit report was released when universities are in financial crisis with a number of proposals key among them increasing student fees being fronted to rescue the ailing sector. In February this year the National Assembly Education and Research Committee proposed that the National Treasury jointly with the Ministry of Education should increase allocation to Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) instead of increasing the fees. Committee chair and Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua stated that the increase to HELB should be meant to support more students in universities.

of 850, 21 Teachers Service Commission (TSC) teachers and 13 employed by the Board of Management (BOM). “I have fought indiscipline in the school using local leaders, village elders, business community including boda boda riders”, affirmed Kimosop. The school’s main sponsor is the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Kapsabet Diocese led by Bishop Rev Dr. Paul Korir who supports discipline and ensures that there is constant nourishment in school. “The support of our BOM has contributed to students’ success at all levels by providing necessary

Mr Collins Yego, School Bursar. resources”, added the Principal. This school participates fully in co-curriculum activities and excelled up to nationals. Hockey, rugby and basketball are their soft spots and they wish to continue doing well even beyond East Africa competition. The Principal revealed that by the end of 2021, 20 classrooms and 2 laboratories will be under construction to end congestion.

In December 2020, ViceChancellors from public universities wanted the undergraduate students to start paying Sh.48,000 annually up from the current fee of Sh.16, 000. Other proposed interventions that were agreed include review of Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) formula to take care of postgraduate students, National Priorities and Special needs. They also wanted equity in funding of both public and private universities through University Funding Board (UFB) and the provision of Sh.1.6 billion occasioned by data discrepancies in the FY 2018/19 to affected universities.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Butula Boys bounces back to academic limelight By Richard Sichangi Butula Boys High School is basking in academic glory after it rose again to dominate performance list in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam results in Busia County. The school which has been registering improved results since 2016 has this time round made a breakthrough by posting the results that the school community was proud of. The Chief Principal, Daniel Onyango, attributed the good results to students’ hard work and dedication among teachers. A total of 297 candidates sat the exam.

George Mukabi, Deputy Principal (Administration).

Mr Daniel Ouma, Chief Principal. The Principal termed the results a remarkable improvement with a mean score of 8.15, sending 236 to universities. He also said the institution has a strategic plan that provides a roadmap on the current and future academic programmes. He said his teachers worked hard by offering academic programmes in an extra-ordinary manner. The head noted that the boys were involved in numerous academic contests with other institutions while intensive internal testing and frequent exams was available. The Principal avers that the boys had developed their own driving slogan which read “REWRITING HISTORY IN BOLD GOLDEN LETTER”. Mr Ouma said that the school has set a new target of 9.2 mean score this year. The school managed to record 4 A plain 30 A Minus 46

B Plus 45 B Plain 49 B Minus and 62 C Plus. They also had 44 C Plain 11 C Minus 5 D Plus and 1 D Plain. Mr Ouma however said

that despite the good academic performance the school has got facility challenges whereby the hostels are stretched while classrooms and science laboratories need to be added to accommodate more intake at the school. The head said that he has, however, managed to improve on the infrastructure by putting up 20 classrooms with departmental offices attached and he is constructing science laboratory where the ground floor is already done and in use. He said the second floor will be hosting computer lab and departmental offices and is in progress. He noted that he has also constructed modern ablution block for the boys and addressed the issue of perennial water shortages by drilling and piping borehole water using solar

Owen Victor Nyarotso, Director Of Studies.

Adminstration block.

A total of 297 candidates sat the exam. The Principal termed theresultsaremarkable improvementwithamean score of 8.15, sending

236 to universities.

The Principal avers that the boys had developed their own driving slogan which read Principal Daniel Ouma awarding one of the best students in a previous prize-giving day.

Festus Sangura, Deputy Principal (Academics).

The School Gate.

energy. The head concluded that Butula Boys also known as ‘Western Hawk’ under the school motto ‘Always Prepared’ is indeed more than prepared to reclaim its glory academically. The eight stream school with population of more than 1500 students has lived up to its calling of producing all rounded learners that are well groomed for the next level education.

Tuition Block.

Student Dormitories.

“REWRITING HISTORY IN BOLD GOLDEN LETTER”.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDITORIAL Ministry should investigate ghost students, schools The Ministry of Education should give a candid response to audit queries raised in the Auditor General’s report. Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha and his Principal Secretary, Dr. Julius Jwan of State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education must seal all the loopholes the AG identified to close the gaps. The AG’s report faulted the Ministry for not properly accounting for over Sh58 billion allocated in subsidies under the State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education during the 20192020 Financial Year. Among the key findings of the Auditor General is that the Ministry spent a whopping Sh1.8 billion for “ghost” students in secondary schools who were in 2, 610 public secondary schools in different counties. According to the Auditor General, the overpayment for non-existing students was as a result of erroneous computations of the July and September 2019 disbursements, inflation of enrolment numbers in January, 2020 and double payments to some schools. Another anomaly found was that around Sh26.8 million was sent to five schools whose existence was in doubt. The auditor found no appointment letters or evidence that School Principals were posted to the five schools by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) apart from lack of registration certificates for the ghost institutions. Boards of Management (BOM) minutes approving opening of bank accounts and other documents required under the State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education annual guidelines on disbursement of Free Day Secondary Education Funds (FDSE) were also not provided. In 2018, the Ministry itself reported that the government paid billions of shillings to “ghost” pupils under the Free Primary Education (FPE) project. Data showed that the total enrolment of pupils in public primary schools then stood at 8.9 million. The government pays Sh1, 420 per child per year, translating to Sh5.6 billion. This is after head-teachers and corrupt officials inflated enrolment numbers used by the government to disburse funds for FPE. The programme has claimed careers or tainted the reputations of top ministry figures that at one time had to answer questions on theft of FPE funds under their watch. Further, the ministry must strengthen its National Education Information Management System (Nemis) from being accessed by corrupt individuals. The appetite to loot by the rogue officials is big, considering that the government allocates Sh22, 244 per learner annually in secondary schools. Perpetrators of these scandals should be held accountable under the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and other available laws irrespective of their status in society.

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OPINIONS & COMMENTARIES

Give students pastoral care in our schools Experts say the mental and emotional well-being of learners in the country should be addressed as they settle in their school routines following the Covid-19 disruptions of 2020. It is important for schools and educators to take extra care and ensure students are not just continuing with their educational journeys but that they also receive the psychosocial support needs. “It has been so wonderful to welcome our students back to our campus, the energy is palpable and the excitement clear,” says Jenny Coetzee. She however argues that it was traumatic, frustrating, lonely and isolating the schoolgoing children given the fact that 2020 took its toll on everyone. She is the Managing Director at Crawford International School Kenya, a brand of Africa’s largest private education provider, ADvTECH. She says the past year had a significant impact on the mental and emotional wellbeing of most people, and young children have not escaped the impact of Covid-19 and the curfews in this regard. A September 2020 report by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), noted that Covid-19 affected children directly and indirectly beyond getting sick or the threat of them or their loved ones falling ill. Many children’s social, emotional, and mental wellbeing have been impacted by the

pandemic. Listed as contributing factors to this impact were: 1. Changed routines; 2. Breaks in continuity

Lucy Simiyu of learning; 3. Breaks in continuity of healthcare; 4. Significant life events that were missed, and 5. Loss of safety and security. “Simply put, the students we said goodbye to last year when schools closed due to Covid-19, are not the same students who recently returned to us. “They were faced with unprecedented upheaval and uncertainty for months on end, and some even the loss of loved ones, and these experiences would have, to varying degrees, impacted on their mental and emotional wellbeing. “It should not be business as usual for the time being. We

as educators need to be aware that on top of the demands of providing the highest quality of academic excellence. “We should also be cognisant that our students may require increased levels of compassion, support and empathy, until we’ve settled into our new routines under what remains unusual circumstances which include social distancing and wearing of masks,” says Coetzee. Pastoral care in education means a recognition of and response by an educational institution to ensure the holistic welfare of children. Pastoral care is aimed at ensuring children are safe, engaged, involved and able to fulfil their potential. Angelica Ouya, Education Director at the Makini Group of Schools, and sister school of Crawford agrees on the importance of pastoral care as students settle in, saying educators must aim to be more empathetic and flexible. “Don’t expect things to pick up where they left off many months ago,” she says. “Returning to the new normal while we are still dealing with the challenge of Covid will take time.” It is also important to remember that there will be gaps in learning, because some students could continue online, while some couldn’t. “So while we are phasing in, expectations must be tempered and education needs should

happen on more fronts than purely academic,” she says. She adds that Covid underscored the importance of the cultivation of 21st Century and Soft Skills and so educators have an important role to play during this time of transition to help students build resilience and growth mind-sets Coetzee says it is heartening to see how enthusiastic students and their families, as well as educators, are about the return to physical school. “Even if things remain a little strange, getting back into a routine provides a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, that life may slowly be returning to normal. And with our schools now open again, it’s almost as if there is some energy being generated again that will be to the benefit of the whole nation,” she says. Ouya adds that while the past year came with unprecedented challenges, it has also led to some remarkable stories of resilience and growth under difficult circumstances. He says: “At Makini, we’ve had to adapt and adjust to ensure our students are able to progress despite constraints and in doing so, we were able to introduce new formats of learning as well as a new curriculum, the Cambridge curriculum..” Ms Simiyu is the School Psychologist at Crawford International School

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

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

School sport creates holistic learning Sports play a pivotal role in people’s lives and whoever came up with the noble idea of co-curricular activities as a way of learning was on point. The country trivialized success in education by revolving everything around producing grades in the exam-oriented system as we craved for good grades like students queuing for their best meal. Plenty of people desire to use their signature strengths to achieve self-gratification in the main areas of their gifting especially at their fledgling stage. This turns schooling from a small correctional facility to a place that positions learners for holistic development. During the years of yore, we had learners who were fully present in school during the first term because it was the season of ball games. They would disappear into the thin air like passing clouds and only return in second term to participate in athletics. Teachers were always elated to see them present at such times and in case they were at home, their close friends would be sent to go and talk to them so that a formidable team would be formed.

That meant that even teachers were cognizant of the fact that they were of great importance in the school, the community and society at large. However, they had to face the shame of repeating one class even three times due to their dismal academic performance. Having participated in games both in primary and high school, I am not oblivious of the challenges these young people face in this particular area. Many of them desire to go professional but hurdles deflate their dreams because several schools, especially those built on puny parcels of land don’t have sports fields to use in activities that require ample space for practice making a lot of talent to go undiscovered. Today sport is a lucrative field that attracts better perks than many other known sectors and it, therefore, behooves us to look at it as a sphere that can create career opportunities. Sport helps develop more than just skills and winning mentality in the lives of the young people

Gilax Ngoya and also steels the strength of character. It offers lifelong lessons on collaboration and how to deal with the chilling challenges of life. When the learners get into competition-laden games, they learn to handle failure and success and also learn a lot about collaboration, which is one of the 21st century skills. The pressure of performing before the spectators and the feel-good aspect that comes with winning, gives the player a sense of belonging, ownership and an indomitable spirit.

They learn to fight for the larger community because the trophy belongs to the team mates, coaches, teachers, parents and every other person that identifies with the name of the institution. Some schools have relegated the place of sports in the school calendar and view it as a disruption in the academic circles. This is utter ignorance and someone should apprise them that sports contribute to holistic learning and also complements academic work. Teaching a learner who is athletically fit and disciplined is fun because levels of alertness and alacrity are sky-high in people prone to sports. With this in mind it is good to commend fountains of knowledge that have shined like lucent light in both academics and sports. Schools like Upper Hill School, Kakamega School and Nyakach Girls have churned out gentle giants in different categories of sports. It is of supreme importance to note that this has not deterred them from showing their shine and sheen in matters academics. Therefore, parents should not bar their children from participating in

sports. No one likes failure, be it in sports, academics, or the ranking in the social and spiritual sphere. Academics is very important but it is not the be-all end-all. We laud the government for Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which has recognised that as a fact. There are plenty of people who have excelled in both academics and sports and are able to either go professional while studying or go the academic way. The choice is theirs. It welds together all the stakeholders. During the games you will hear the village singing to leg up morale and performance of players. This then means that every sporting activity is a multi-faceted activity that brings out art in every member of the society. The level of socialisation is higher for the learner who is actively involved in sports compared to the one who is only involved in class alone. The writer works with Teens for Christ Africa and is a mentor to teens and youth. ngoyagilax@ yahoo.com

The need for comprehensive career counselling in schools A career is defined as a job or profession that will enable someone to prosper and make progress in life. It is also a way of turning dreams into reality. Dreams are defined as seedlings of reality. Career encompasses education, training, tutelage, work experience, and involvement in community work. Some reliable and credible sources of knowledge posit that a career is someone’s lifestyle and source of income. By and large, through pursuit of meaningful careers, people discover and develop themselves. They pursue their purposes and maximise their potential. It is through careers that people fulfil heartfelt demand for skilled labour, solve perplexing problems, and make personal contributions in the society. People who reach the acme of their careers manage to earn a decent living. They find legit ways to create wealth. This entices fulfilment and contentment, which eventually enhances wealth of mental health. In the distant past, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President sagely said, “the best way to predict your future, is to create it.” No wonder, the onus is on schools in helping every learner to have good mental picture of the actual future. It is in schools where students dream, dare and do. It is in schools where they believe, behave, and become. Schools must first of all separate the department of Guidance and Counselling from Career Counselling. The teacher-

counsellors at the helm of the career departments must ensure that students are guided well before they choose subjects at Form Two level. Form Fours must be guided properly before they choose courses and colleges. It is incumbent upon schools to come up with wellthought-out career counselling programmes that can help student make informed choices. The teacher-counsellors in charge, can decentralise their regal roles by forming formidable teams of Career Representatives (CR) in every class. These CRs can be given weekly roles. They educate other students on many aspects pertaining careers and future world of work. Let there be frequent career talks and training in schools. Let there be career days. There can also be career weeks. Of course, that does not mean that schools paralyse curriculum implementation for the whole week. Basically, during the career week, schools can set aside one hour per day (4:005:00 PM) to talk about careers. That can run from Monday to Friday. Then, Saturday, can be the icing on the cake. Where hosting school extends the olive branch of invitation to other schools to also benefit from knowledgeable facilitators and trainers brought on board. Various universities and colleges, both public and private, fully accredited, can be cordially invited

to pitch their tents, and explain the academic programmes they roll out. It is during such special career fairs that students should know more about study-abroad agencies, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS),

Victor Ochieng Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Of course, KUCCPS is the body that places students in universities and colleges. HELB doles out government loans to students at tertiary levels of education. In schools, teachers concerned should expose learners and widen their world views through subject-based trips and excursions. Job shadowing also serves this prime purpose. It entails exposing learners to places where people are doing things they would want to do when they become of age. It is incum-

bent upon schools to strengthen clubs, societies and movements. Over and above, schools should not forget to stage talent shows precipitated with high-octane razzmatazz. Schools should help students to make better career choices by enriching the library with useful career materials like the Essential Career Guide published by KUCCPS. In case there is an informative article pertaining to careers published in the dailies, that part should be carefully incised, and pasted on the school notice boards for students’ ravenous consumption. It behooves schools to apprise parents on how they can guide their children careers and future world of work. During AGMs, academic clinics and class conferences, the powersthat-be should ensure that they create special segments for teachers in charge of the career departments to educate parents on their integral roles. It must be made known to parents that they play pivotal roles in career counselling when they co-operate and comply with schools; pay fees and extra levies on time. They play their part well when they take part in active parenting and help their children find good role models and mentors. Parents ascend to their royal roles when they create ample time to confab about careers with their children. Also, it is important for parents to nurture talents and gifts inherent in their children by encouraging them to pursue worthwhile ambitions and pas-

sions. Parents must compel seeds of their wombs to be prone to literate habits, hobbies, rituals and routines. It is one of the seven secrets of enduring wealth of a people as perfectly penned by Steven Silbiger in The Jewish Phenomenon – a well-worded book that explains why the Jews in America are wise and wealthy. When choosing careers, students must consider factors like knowledge, values, passion, personality, ability, marketability, availability of resources, academic performance, and many more. These factors somehow are not independent, but inter-dependent in nature. In the whole scheme of things, the grade students garner in KCSE determine the programmes they will be poised to pursue at tertiary level. We have four category of grades which eventually determine whether a student can eventually pursue a certificate, diploma, or degree course. We have top grades (A, A- B+), middle grades (B, B-, C+, C) low grades (C-, D+, C) and lowest grades (D-, E). Students who yearn to pursue Medicine should know that the stakes are skyhigh in this area. Such is replete and complete with cut-throat competition. Therefore, the cutoff points in various universities are elusive. That calls for students to leg up their academic performance. The writer rolls out career talks and training in schools and colleges. vochieng.90@ gmail.com

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

Harmonize Diploma in Primary Education with other courses

he basic education for an individual is the most crucial and deserving as it is the basis upon which the subsequent educational layers are built. We are what we are because of our basic firm foundation that we received. Any government gambling with this type of education is courting future trouble for the citizens. The basic education should be guarded jealously and supported fully in order to ensure a firm and dependable foundation not only in the education sector but also among the citizenship. This year’s advertisement for Primary Teacher Training Colleges intake and subsequent readvertisement which yielded less than a thousand candidates in the country had a singular mistake which would indicate that the basic education teacher entry is being gagged by some individuals. These individuals don’t seem

S’ ER AD E R

Y SA

to understand that there are people who have no other option on failing to attain the minimum university entry score. The mistake that there was which requires correction was the entry grade requirements. It is unexplainable to insist that a primary school diploma trainee should be having a mean grade of C plain and above when all the other diplomas have their entry mean grade of C- minus. As if that is not enough the teacher trainee is required to have scored a C plain in the rest of the subjects! There are well known teachers and head teachers who are very powerful administrators in our high ranking and well performing public primary schools who were trained after scoring grade of D+ plus in their KCSE. We have lecturers in the universities who scored a mean grade of D+ plus and are now doctors with PhDs. We have such people in the public sector

ple in the village see and hope to become after form four. I am a living testimony. After my form four I attained the entry score for university entry which used to take about a year or more. When my late father heard that they had advertised for teacher training colleges’ applications, he excitedly insisted that I apply which I reluctantly did and was taken. People in the villages are modelled by teachers because Joseph Okumu Otsyulah those are all they meet and see. Let us give them a chance some even in your boardrooms they that fate put them in the ruwhere you pass restrictions that ral settings. discriminate on their academic My humble request to the peers. stakeholders is that the entry Why should we curtail our grade for primary teacher trainyoung Kenyans from pursuing intake should be harmonized ing education just because they with the rest of the entry grades failed to score a mean of C plain for other Kenyan recognized diin say Mathematics or some sub- plomas so that we don’t kill the ject which they will never even ambition of the many poor Keteach? nyans living in the rural areas. I speak for the rural poor. Statistics show that those Teaching is the only career peo- who go for primary teaching

FEEDBACK COLUMN

Hi! My name is Stella Chemutai Kemboi (stellakemboi05@gmail.com). I'm a PI teacher not yet employed how do I apply for diploma?

Hallo? My name is John Wafula (wafulajohn78@gmail.com). My son got 329 marks in 2020 KCPE and would like to join Tengecha Boys and able to raise school fees. Please assist.

Hello there? (V1623669905648488) Allow me to inquire on something. Can the teachers employer TSC registered teachers be absorbed by in the Technical and vocational training (TVET) institutions as trainers?

Hallo there? My name is Oscar mambo(oscarmambo42@gmail.com). Give us more news about unemployed P1 teachers?

Hello! My name is Elsie (elsyelly87@gmail. com), in relation to your article https://educationnews.co.ke/2021/06/03/unemployed-P1-teachers-toupgrade-to-diploma/#max-widget,What if one doesn't have a C in Mathematics,,,,is it possible ?

Hallo! (1624605599333850) Any information on when the counties are employing the ECDE teachers on contract on permanent and pensionable scheme please?

Hallos! In relations to your story, https:// educationnews.co.ke/2019/10/23/tsc-releasesnew-salary-scales/#max-widget, what is the CBA salary scale? HI! My name is Helen Maina (hellymaina@ gmail.com). Unemployed P1 Teachers upgrading to diploma like mentioned in your story https://educationnews.co.ke/2021/06/03/ unemployed-P1-teachers-to-upgrade-todiploma/#max-widget is a nice idea but I hope KNEC acts. Hello! (V1622460405964926), for the P1 teachers who have not yet been employed, how long will the diploma take?

Hallo there? My name is Lucas Kirui (Kipkoechlucaz@gmail.com) Just an inquiry on whether I can be enrolled in college for CBC skills after graduating as a P1 teacher. Hi! (V1623839441501408) I have graduated as a P1 teacher and I would like to inquire if I will qualify to join the selected colleges for the CBC induction.Assist. Hi! My name is jiruduba350. How can I contribute to this magazine? I am a young article writer.

Hi, I am Humphrey Ringera (Senateeducom@ gmail.com). How can I get in touch with the ECDE teachers union?

come from the rural poor. The rich take their children to train for more significant courses that would realize upward mobility making them policy makers against their ill-fated poverty stricken counterparts who scored the same or even better grades in form four. The ground is not levelled! I petition and challenge our Kenyan legislators to look in to this matter objectively and come to the aid of their voters, my poor colleagues at the countryside. The lives of many poor Kenyans will be ruined just because of a policy that was made in some boardroom in the capital city. Dr. Otsyulah has been a primary school teacher trainer for a long period. He is currently a lecturer and head of department at Kaimosi Friends University College.

NYERI

Sh219m allocated for bursary, polys and ECDE By Asa Maina The county government of Nyeri has allocated Sh34.3 million for the construction, refurbishment and equipping of various ECDEs centres in its 2021/22 financial year budget. County Finance CEC Robert Thuo said the move is meant to improve the learning environment and increase enrollment. A further Sh 160 nillion was set aside for bursary for secondary school, tertiary and university students known as Elimu Fund. "The bursary programme will allow the eligible, bright, but needy students to access basic education especially with the effects of Covid-19 pandemic," said Thuo. Many parents and guardians lost jobs or had their salaries slashed following the confirmation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country that affected the economy. Sh15 million was also allocated for capitation of Youth Polytechnics to support learners to acquire skills for self-employment. A further Sh 10 million was allocated for the construction, refurbishment and equipping of various Youth

Polytechnics in the County. Thuo said the government has continued to invest in the education sector to lay a good and stable foundation in the Education for children. "The County Government has continued to invest in the sector through construction and renovation of ECDE classrooms as well as construction of pit latrines for the ECDEs," noted Thuo. During the 2020/21 financial year, a total of 19 projects were being implemented in various ECDE centres which include construction of classrooms, pit latrines and renovation of existing facilities. The County also undertook the construction of a workshop at Mutonga Youth Polytechnic and the equipping of ECDE centres and Youth polytechnics with the necessary equipment to ensure smooth learning.

‘

The bursary programme will allow the eligible, bright, but needy students to access basic education especially with the effects of Covid-19 pandemic - Thuo.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Kangeso Boys focused on quality education

Principal, Mr Christopher Abayo. By Norah Musega Kangeso Boys Secondary School continues to maintain an upward trajectory in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam results. In 2020 KCSE results, the school recorded a positive deviation of 0.7007 and it is determined to improve further. With a population of 404

students, the school located on the outskirts of Rongo sub County of Migori County provides a serene and quiet environment suitable for learning. The Principal Mr Christopher Abayo said with a team of qualified personnel at the school the future of the institution is bright; they managed to send 28 2020 KCSE candidates to university compared to 15 candidates in 2019. “We have qualified personnel working as a team in the school who are self-driven to enhance provision of quality education. I’m grateful for the team of teachers and subordinate staff,” noted Abayo. Founded in the year 1996 the school has also created jobs for the locals. Kangeso Boys boasts of producing the top 2019 ITOYA teacher in Nyanza region during the event that was held at Kisii School. Mr Victor Ogada who is also a computer studies teacher at the school clinched the regional award in a tight competition comprising

School Gate.

Administration Block. of several teachers drawn from six counties within the region and later took part in the national competition. According to the school principal there is more to be done to maintain the steady growth of its performance as the school has also embraced technology in its teaching

Mr Victor Ogada, ITOYA Regional Award Winner.

1996

The year the school was founded, and since then has continually created jobs for the locals. process. “We have staff shortages but the administration is focused on the provision of quality education hence has employed 10 more teachers through the assistance of its Board of Management (BOM) to assist the 12 employed by the Teachers Service Commission,” noted Abayo adding that there is still need for more teachers. The school has produced top

Deputy Principal, Mr Elijah Odoyo. scholars like Victor Ogoma, a doctor by profession and Jesse Ondimu, a businessman who is also the school’s alumni association chairman. The school’s alumni association has also been on the forefront to help uplift some of the infrastructure in the school and to support students morally towards achieving their academic dreams. “The alumni of this school have worked greatly in support of its administration. Currently they are constructing an ablution block for teachers.” added Abayo The Principal encouraged education stakeholders to continue in the spirit of togetherness and teamwork to ensure the sector is adequately promoted and stabilized.

Comparing national and county schools is a fallacy For many years, high cadre schools (extra-county and national schools) have received praises over good performance in the national examinations. Sub-county and county schools which are regarded as low cadre schools have been denounced over poor results. For a very long time high cadre schools have enjoyed fallacious prominence and praises where in my opinion they do not necessarily deserve. Why celebrate what is apparent? The two categories of schools are not comparable in many aspects. What amazement will someone derive while watching a racing competition between a horse and a donkey? This is falsehood, whopper and taradiddle. My cogent argument is that despite the criticism, the government cannot aspire to achieve 100% transition from primary to secondary schools without the low cadre/ Constituency Development Funds (CDF)/third world schools. Moreover, historical forces explain why there is disparity in terms of school performance in Kenya. Most of high cadre schools are colonial products. They have been in existence for closer to a century, accumulating enough resources and are obviously more advantaged compared to schools which have been established in the resent past mostly by the CDF initiative. From a historical standpoint, European schools can be traced back in 1903 when Governor Charles Eliot

encouraged White Settlers to settle in the colony. Their coming increased the number of the Whites who demanded education for their children. In consequence, European schools were set up as part of the recommendations of the Frazer commission of 1908. The commission had recommended that schools be set up on racial lines. European schools had quality infrastructure and were strategically located. In the post-colonial period they became part of the high cadre schools. Furthermore, from 1950, African District Councils (ADCs) through taxation provided funds to run education in African areas. In the late 1950s, every ADC hankered to have its own secondary schools. ADCs in collaboration with District Education Boards (DEBs) and missionaries worked out to establish secondary schools in the African Districts. Additionally, in the aftermath of the 2nd World War, the British instituted the decolonization policy. The policy paved way for the establishment of Government secondary schools in African areas to prepare Africans to take over the management of the independent Kenya. At independence more secondary schools were established. Most secondary schools established in the colonial Kenya and at independence were renamed as provincial schools while a few became national schools. The aforementioned schools are now part of the high cadre. Most of them have colossal resources in terms land, buildings and so on.

They have also a tradition of good performance in exams which is internalized by learners who join them. Notably, the Ominde Commission of 1964 in one of its recommendations encouraged the establishment of the Harambee schools. By 1970, Harambee schools had outnumbered government sponsored schools. In the year 2003, CDF was started paving way for numerous CDF schools.

Diperius Wanyonyi In essence Harambee and CDF schools form the lower cadre and over 75% of student population is in these secondary schools. Nevertheless, county and subcounty schools are a true reflection of Third World countries because these schools face a myriad of challenges. They have poor revenue base because most parents operate below the poverty level. During school re-opening, a few

parents will be at the banks depositing fees but majority will be at the schools giving pledges or lined up at the school stores with bananas, chicken sweet potatoes, firewood, bricks, cows and calves, sand on oxcarts and so on as fees in kind. Principals in such schools are always stressed and moody because they have to think and innovate survival tactics for the school to run. In terms of management, all teachers have basic training in administration, even though principals of big schools look more successful. In practice, a principal in a national school is much more relaxed and does much of delegation of duties as compared to a principal in a Third World school who literally does everything to ensure ends meet due to meager resources. Poverty in Third World schools negates the basic principles of administration. The work of an administrator is to skillfully mobilize and harmonize human resources to achieve desired results. Nonetheless, lower cadre schools are much more prone to negative local politics because they belong to the community. In fact, politicians and villagers own them because they contributed in their establishment through provision of land, and construction of buildings through Harambees and CDF initiatives. The principal has, therefore, to pledge allegiance to villagers and politicians for survival. In contrast, big schools in most cases are above village politics. However, teachers in these

schools are sometimes in conflict with principals. They demand motivation of all manner, possibly just like in the neighbouring extracounty and national schools. Given minimum school revenue, principals fail to meet all their demands and these degenerates into staff-room politics compromising quality of work. Teaching is a mental process and, therefore, any sense of demotivation or unappreciation compromises performance. Also, a classroom teacher is a stressed person. The teacher has to deal with absenteeism in most cases due to school fees issues, handle very low entry behaviour and so on. Some students do not even have the required literacy level to join secondary schools. In this case, teachers struggle and work to the best of their pedagogical skills to meet their objectives. For the GoK to realize its education goals, it is my clarion call that it should think of affirmative action when it comes to funding of Third World schools. They need almost everything; classrooms, laboratories, libraries, dining halls, name them. More so, low cadre schools have minimal revenue to employ teachers on BOM terms. They should be given first priority in terms of staffing. Diperius Wanyonyi diperuswanyonyi @gmail.com The author is a researcher and a Ph.D candidate at Moi University, Department of History, Political Science and Public administration.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

WESTERN KAKAMEGA

BUSIA

Crack whip over Sh3.7 bn school funds loss-church By Andanje Wakhungu

The Salvation Army Church has called for an expeditious investigation into the allocation of Sh3.7 billion to ghost schools in the country. The church asked the Ministry of Education and that of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government to establish how the funds were allocated to fake schools. The church’s Territorial Commander Kenya West Stephen Chepkurui criticized the Education ministry for failing to establish the exact number of schools in the country He was speaking during the handing over of several completed projects at Salvation Army Makhwabuye Primary School in Malava Sub County. He wondered over what could have happened yet the ministry has staff in all locations across the county who can execute the inspection as part of their mandate and remit the information to the national government. “How can a country be able to allocate a whopping Sh3.7 billion to briefcase schools when in real sense a school like this one is in dire need of infrastructure?,” he posed. The cleric said it is high time people in the Ministry are held culpable because the country cannot allow such huge sums of funds to be misappropriated by a few individuals in the government. “We are grappling with massive corruption and yet some Kenyans have the audacity to loot even more when the country is at its lowest economic status,” stated Chepkurui. He added that it is time Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha walked the talk and cracked the whip to apprehend the culprits. “While many schools are wallowing in challenges on matters

Salvation Army Territorial Commander Kenya West Stephen Chepkurui joins pupils of Makhwabuye Primary School in celebration during handing over of the church’s projects to the school. Photo/Andanje Wakhungu

infrastructure, some few individuals in the ministry have devised a way of fleecing the government,” he said. Chepkurui said investigations should start from the sub county level to establish who presented the fake schools and how funds were allocated yet they do not exist. He handed over one new classroom plus one that has been renovated, six door pit latrines and a borehole that cost Sh4 million. “We will be constructing another four new classes to enable the school’s enrolment grow,” said Chepkurui. He said the church sponsors over 800 schools within the West Kenya territory and most of them were lacking enough infrastructure. “We will do our best to chip in whenever need arises, but it is high time the government reconsidered opening churches so that they can be able to meet and deliberate on development issues,” he added. He asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to be involving the church in decision-making instead of decid-

ing on his own. His wife Grace Chepkurui advised parents to embrace girl-child education and stop pushing them into early marriages. “Let the fathers support their wives in ensuring that the girl-child gets the much needed education just as the boy-child as they all have equal rights,” she said. The Makhwabuye school head teacher Florence Juma thanked the church for the support because pupils were using tents after nearly all the classrooms were condemned as a result of cracks caused by quarrying in the neighbourhood. “The support of the Salvation Army to build for us five new classrooms is welcome as it will bring back the glory to the school after many parents pulled out their pupils,” he said. Township Chief Nechesa Luvale and Parents Teachers Association chairman Jackson Watete blamed a construction firm for blasting quarries and damaging classrooms and thus adversely affecting learning at the institution.

By Gilbert Ochieng

A total of 632 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Busia have been trained on Vitamin A supplementation. The exercise was done by the Department of Health and Sanitation and the Department of Education and Vocational Training. The Deputy Nutrition Coordinator Vincent Kwena said the objective is to equip teachers with knowledge on the importance of learners getting Vitamin A, which is vital in supporting growth and development besides combating infections. Speaking at Kaliwa Primary School in Teso South Sub County recently, Kwena who was accompanied by the County Director of ECDE Douglas Barasa said teachers will be expected to disseminate information to parents who are supposed to work closely with

CS Magoha asked to relook into form one selection procedure By Tony Wafula

David Barasa, Bungoma County Kuppet Chairman addressing the press. Photo/ Tony Wafula

homes to mere extra county schools when they can join our own school here,” said Barasa. He added that head teachers are facing challenges as some schools have already received many students. Barasa dismissed CS Magoha’s reasons for banning of the public from using school buses adding that in most cases buses are the community projects. “Most of the school buses are projects initiated by the community. I don’t see any reason to stop them from using them,” he said. Barasa added that some buses were taken on loan and they should be used in running community errands to help in the payment of outstanding loans balances.

healthcare workers for the benefit of children. "We appeal to the Early Childhood Development Education teachers in Busia County to support efforts by the Department of Health and Sanitation to ensure that children get Vitamin A supplements," he said. His remarks were echoed by Teso South Sub County Nutrition officer Judeline Mbalwe and Mr Barasa who urged the teachers not to ignore the sensitization exercise which he said will help improve the health of children. Mbalwe asked them to take the responsibility of providing guidance to the youth against drugs and substance abuse by instilling in them the required morals and values. ECDE teachers trained in Bunyala are 56, Butula (87), Matayos (82), Nambale (88), Samia (96), Teso North (128) and Teso South (95).

Busia county ECDE teachers attending the training on Vitamin A at Kaliwa primary school in Teso South sub county in Busia County recently. Photo/Gilbert Ochieng

KAKAMEGA

Scholarships for top KCPE candidates in Khwisero By Denis Lumiti

BUNGOMA

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has been asked to relook into form one selection that was done using computer generated lists (Nemis). The Bungoma County Kuppet Chairman David Barasa said many students from Bungoma County who performed above average were selected to join secondary schools to far flung counties. He said that exposed them to Covid-19 and other risks when they travel along the way when they can just join schools in Bungoma. “Computer generated lists are good but at some point it has its demerits because students should not be taken far away from their

Busia trains 632 ECDE teachers

A scholarship fund in Khwisero constituency will pay high school fees for all students admitted to top schools in the country. Area MP Christopher Aseka said he had also marshalled enough resources from different sources for the learners’ scholarships. “All our top learners who have been called to national and extracounty schools will get full scholarships to study up to form four,” he said. He spoke after unveiling the full list of the students and assured the students that they would get money for shopping. He said others from needy families who attend schools in the area would be sponsored. He said some of the cash was sourced from the Constituency Development Fund and other partners, and from his own personal savings.

Aseka said he has dedicated 10 per cent of his monthly pay towards sponsoring education for needy children. Some of the kids have been called to top schools such as Kapsabet Boys, Lenana, Nairobi School, St. Mary’s Mumias Girls, Ng’iya Girls, Butere Girls and Boys and St. Ignatius Mukumu Boys.

All our top learners who have been called to national and extracounty schools will get full scholarships to study up to form four - Christopher Aseka

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Kabianga High posts impressive KCSE results in 32 years since inception of 8-4-4

Dr. Aloo Joash, PhD, Chief Principal.

By Leonard Angatia For the past five years, Kabianga Boys in Kericho County has excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. The national school has mastered the tricks of conquering academics and sports to the envy of other schools in the county and the larger South Rift region. The school represented Rift Valley region in 2019 for national rugby competition in Mombasa. With a registration of 310 candidates, the school had 276 students scoring C+ and above, the pass mark for joining university.

During last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) the school improved with a mean score of 8.99677 from 2019 of 7.7608 at a positive deviation of 1.236. They posted the best results in 32 years since the inception of 8-4-4 system and emerged position two in the entire South Rift region. Student population is at 1,805, with 64 Teachers Service Commission (TSC) teachers and 15 employed by the Board of Management (BOM). The school’s Chief Principal, Dr. Aloo Joash attributes the impressive results to high level of discipline demonstrated by students and commitment from teachers. “My colleague teachers are committed in class. We have maintained our synergy, and we have ensured we are not defeated by our rivals,” said the Principal. The improved results are linked to hard work and early syllabi completion which secured enough time for revision. Lessons begin at 6:20 am and end at 7:20 pm with elaborate weekend for science practicals and mathematics contests.

WORLD OF BOOKS

Mr Dennis Ayieko, Deputy Principal, Administration.

past because of participative leadership approach. His emphasis is on effective teaching where senior teachers empower young teacher recruits through induction and mentorship. “I don’t condone indiscipline and work closely with everyone around me. I have empowered students to mark lesson attendance for both students and teachers and report any absenteeism for immediate attention”, explained Dr. Aloo. He added that his main aim is to see students turn into responsible citizens while at school and afterwards. The school is inviting and was the most sought after Nanyuki school with over 145,000

KCPE 2020 candidates. selecting it. The school now runs 11 streams up from 6 when Dr. Aloo joined. This year, out of the 145,000 who selected it, 500 have been admitted with the lowest entry mark being 392. It has presented and transited the highest number to the university in Kericho County and the entire South Rift region in five years. The major challenges are congestion in both classes and dormitories that the MoE should look into. The school also has a huge teacher shortage that the TSC should also address. It’s in a serene environment and offers attractive subjects like Electricity, Woodwork, Drawing and Design, Building construction, German and French among others. The school has undergone serious infrastructural transformation for the last five years boosting students’

Mr Maurice Nderitu, Deputy Principal, Academics.

morale and ensuring their Each teacher is assigned retention. This year, the 20 students in a way to be teaching staff is looking to foster parents which happens post a mean score of 9.5 for every Thursday as from 4pm KCSE 2021. and students share challenges and air their grievances. Kabianga Boys’ does not view extra-curriculum activities as a compromise to academic excellence. Meals are not worth mentioning because they are simple, but are a balanced diet, no wonder the school is cherished by all its alumni. School Resource CenDr Aloo joined the School entrance. tre -cum Library. school in June 2015 when it had gone KCSE ANALYSIS TABLE through turbulences z Z Ͳ н Ͳ н Ͳ н Ͳ y EdZz D E 'Z s͘ of mass indiscipline ϮϬϮϬ ϲ ϱϯ ϵϬ ϱϬ ϱϬ Ϯϳ Ϯϲ ϳ ϭ Ϭ Ϭ Ϭ ϭ ϯϭϬ ϴ͘ϵϵϲϳϳ нϭ͘Ϯϯϲ for five years which now is a thing of the ϮϬϭϵ ϭ ϭϬ ϱϭ ϴϬ ϲϬ ϱϱ ϰϱ ϯϬ ϭϮ Ϯ ϭ Ϭ Ϭ ϯϰϳ ϳ͘ϳϲϬϴ Ͳ нϬ͘ϴϯϵ

Retired teacher asks authors to brave challenges By Andanje Wakhungu Born in a humble family that is regarded by the community as backward and unsophisticated, Khavokoyi, her mother and half-sister emerge to become local celebrities. Khavokoyi has a Midas touch and everything she touches turns into a golden opportunity for herself and the family. Her father remains an old ignorant geezer ignorant of her exploits and only wakes up to the reality of being a celebrity dad when Khavokoyi excels in her national examination after she is declared the top candidate countrywide. This is a summary of the book: “So different she was” authored by Enoch Shirandula and published by Bestar. He however laments that the biggest hurdle is publishing and marketing of his book as he has meagre resources as he retired many years ago and age has also caught up with him.

The author says the book was received well by readers across all demographics and wishes that one day it will be used as a literature set book in schools. The 74-year-old author says it was a journey of many turns and twists for several years as publishers rejected his manuscripts and bid to have the book published. Born in Kakamega County in 1947, Shirandula attended Tumbeni Primary School then went to Shamberere Intermediate School where he sat Kenya Preliminary Certificate in 1964. He then Author Enock Shirandula displays proceeded to Malava Boys High his book. Photo/Andanje Wakhungu at the time, Malava Harambee School as one of the pioneer

students where he sat Kenya Junior Secondary Education (KJSE) in 1966. Shirandula later opted to train as a P 2 teacher at Siriba Teachers Training College that is now part of Maseno University and later started working as a teacher in 1970. That is when his interest to start writing books began after coming across books written by English writers like William Shakespeare, George Orwel and their African counterparts like Chinua Achebe. “I thought authors like Shakespeare and Orwel were super humans but after reading books by African writers like Chinua Achebe it dawned on me that the authors were ordinary people and that awakened my urge to be a writer,” says Shirandula He wrote the first manuscript in his first year as a teacher but efforts to have his works published hit a snag after the publishers rejected it but that did not deter his desire to write more and more. He taught in many schools as a classroom teacher then got promoted to become head teacher before he was promoted to a Curriculum Support

Officer. He later rose to become a Quality Assurance Officer in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County where he retired in 2002. Shirandula has been writing all through his working career and even in his retirement. He urges youth to embrace reading and writing, noting that the introduction of technology has come with its own bag of challenges. “Nowadays many youth have embroiled themselves in using digital learning materials and hardly write or construct a correct English sentence,” he laments. He advises that as the country acknowledges the digital era, those who have a passion for book harvesting and writing should never give up no matter the frustrations some publishers may pose. “ I have written many manuscripts that were rejected by the publishers but I never gave up and now it seems my writing has matured with age because my works can be published,” he noted.

He urges youth to embrace reading and writing noting that the introduction of technology has come with its own bag of challenges.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

EASTERN MACHAKOS

MAKUENI

Kuppet boss says merging of exam centres misplaced By Lydia Ngoolo Makueni branch Kuppet Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu has faulted the ban on hiring school buses for private events and merging of exam centres. Kimeu observed that the directive by Education CS George Magoha was misplaced, considering that many buses and vans are acquired using loans contributed by the community. He wondered how the same community which is key in the purchasing school buses can be banned from using them. “The buses are acquired as a result of community effort and the cash benefits the schools when they are hired,” said Magoha. “Even if the government disburses funds to school, there is always need for extra cash by the school to maintain the vehicles, paying the loan and so many other major bills,” said Kimeu. He said if Magoha is worried about the spread of Covid-19, institutions should to adhere to the Ministry of Health rules and also observe the protocols in the school buses. Kimeu urged the BOMs and school administration to embrace washing and sanitizing the buses before and after use. He called upon the minister to reconsider the directive and let the BOMs and schools determine how

MERU By John Majau Former Meru Sports County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Daniel Kiogora recently appeared in court in Meru charged with forging academic certificate. He had been arrested by the Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) agents for allegedly forging a university degree certificate that he later used to successfully apply for work in the Meru County government. Kiogora was accused of presenting the fake degree certificate to Meru County Assembly Select Committee during vetting for the job, indicating that he graduated with a second-class, Upper Division Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi in 2010. He appeared before Meru Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Abuya, where EACC also accused him of providing a self-declaration form to them on September 11, 2017 alleging that he held a degree from the university as his highest academic qualification. The court was told that the former CECM was improperly recommended for the appointment as the Sports Executive after presenting the fake document purporting to be genuine degree certificate issued by University of Nairobi.

Makueni branch Kuppet Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu. Photo/Lydia Ngoolo they are going to use the buses in school and as a source of income. He also criticized the directive of merging exam centres, and warned that the union is totally against it. He reminded private sector that they are not the only ones affected by the directive since it cuts across the public and private as well. “There will be so many challenges involved if it’s not revoked and we call upon the ministry to reconsider the directive because it will not be easy to mobilise,” he noted. Kimeu added that space will be the biggest challenge not forgetting that there is lack of control of discipline in congested rooms as well inadequate facilities.

Rural schools get solar power By Roy Hezron Some rural schools that are not connected to the national power grid in Machakos County have received free solar panels. The project undertaken by D.light Solar Company is geared towards improving academic standards of leaners in rural schools. The Company’s Managing Director Alex Olum, says majority of rural schools remain disadvantaged since there is no source of power to enable leaners to carry out their morning and evening preps. They therefore cannot compete effectively with others in schools with improved infrastructure. “We provide clean energy and unlock a brighter future for as many pupils as possible in rural areas where there is little or no power connectivity,” said Olum. Addressing the media after receiving solar panels and lights from D.light, Nzoiani Primary School head teacher Shedrack Ivalo expressed joy that the school will get power. “The school lacks power and that has affected normal learning for quite some time,” said Ivalo. He said the solar lanterns the school had are now not functional and pupils cannot therefore study during the early morning

Nzoiani Primary School teachers displaying solar appliances they received from D.light Kenya. and evening lessons. “We are in dire need of lighting to facilitate these lessons so as to improve academic levels of our school,” said Ivalo. The school’s current population is over 200 pupils with only class eight connected to power. Kakulutuini Primary School head teacher Stanley Kiua lauded d.light Kenya for supporting the education sector through provision of lighting devices. He said the project will enable pupils in rural areas to attend both early morning and evening lessons. His sentiments were echoed by his counterpart of Kyamboo Primary School Onesmus Kyalo who said only one class in his school is connected to electricity. He added that the lighting

Ex-County Sports Executive charged with forging degree certificate number which he purported to be genuine academic transcripts from the university. The court heard that between September 25 and 26, 2017 Kiogora fraudulently presented the false transcripts to the Meru County Government claiming to be genuine first year to fourth year university of Nairobi academic transcripts. While pleading for a favourable bond, his lawyer Marius Maranya, noted that the accused had presented himThe former Meru County self to the police voluntarily Sports CECM Daniel Kiogowhen called to answer charges ra. Photo/John Majau against him. Maranya also termed KiThe court heard that Kiogora ogora as a law-abiding citizen forged the said false documents who voluntarily presented himself on an unknown date with the in- to the court despite having been tent to deceive that he holds a released on a police bond after Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts he was arrested by the EACC ofOption)degree certificate. Kiogora ficers. was also accused of making false He added that Kiogora was first year undergraduate tran- currently jobless after his contract scripts with a registration number ended and is currently seeking a D33/11432/06 purporting to be job. genuine academic transcript isMr Maranya said the defense sued to him by University of Nai- team was ready to prove that the robi. accused did not commit any ofThe accused was further fense but was being trumped pocharged with making false Second litically. year, third year, fourth year tran“The particulars of the charge scripts under the same registration sheet are an alleged offence that

occurred in September 2017 and has been kept under the files and now presented to you four years later especially on the eve of a political campaign where my client is a serious contender for a seat,” Maranya told the court. He called on the court to refrain from being used by politicians to settle their political scores by subjecting law-abiding citizens to suffering. He also urged the court to grant Kiogora a reasonable and favourable bond or a personal bond asserting that he has no income and requires time to set up his defense team. “The essence of the bond is to ensure the accused presents himself to the court which he has done in the past and has done today and he will present himself at whatever time required,” Maranya said. The prosecution, however, opposed releasing the accused on personal bond asserting that he never presented himself to the police station as alleged by his defense team. The DPP noted that Kiogora was arrested at his home in Githongo region before being released on a cash bail of Sh. 100,000.

initiative will now create enabling environment for conducive learning. Matalani Primary School Head teacher Stephen Sayiore said lighting will not only provide sufficient learning but will also boost security for school properties and equipment at night. The lighting of rural schools is a joint initiative being carried on by D.light Kenya and European Investment Bank to provide clean energy and unlock a brighter future for pupils in the country. Among the Schools which have benefited from the project are Nzoiani, Kakulutuini, Kyamboo and Malatani Primary Schools in Machakos County.

EMBU

Protect children’s rights, stakeholders told By Kamundia Muriithi An educationist has asked stakeholders to address challenges such as early marriage, female genital mutilation and child negligence that face the African child. University of Embu Vice Chancellor, Prof Daniel Mugendi said children have rights that must be respected and protected. He said the social and academic environment a child goes through is crucial for their pursuit of education and life. Speaking during the celebrations of the Day of African Child held at the University of Embu, he said the university is in the frontline of supporting children by collaborating with neighboring schools to improve their performance. “The university has established strong connections with relevant stakeholders in matters related to children, such as the department of children services, primary and secondary schools among others to promote the wellbeing and protection of the children,” he said. The don praised the establishment of the Day for African Child, noting that it helps in bringing renewed sense of commitment in addressing the challenges facing the African child. Embu County Director of Children Services, Davelyne Mundi said many cases of sexual abuse have been reported in their office.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

Rude awakening for Napoleon as he makes a stab at MCA seat Nectar has been busy in her grocery which she opened the other day after securing a loan from a micro finance institution which caters for women empowerment. ThatmeantIhadtofendfor myselfasfaraskitchenmatters are concerned. In these difficult times, people are becoming more creative and resourceful and I have not been left behind. There was a chunk of ugali leftoverfromthepreviousmeal whichwasstillfreshwhichIdecided to give a new lease of life by boiling and stirring it after adding some fresh flour. For those conversant with the hustler narrative, this is called ugali maiti or second hand ugali. As a rule of thumb, such ugali cannot be stored to be consumed later as this could lead to serious case of food poisoning. I had just overturned my ugali maiti on the platter when Napoleon walked

in looking excited about something. I let him sit down before I Icould dig through the cause of the excitement. “I have decided to vie for MCA seat in Mavumbi ward. You know I have a genuine degree while the incumbent does not. I will certainly win the seat after he is knocked out by that technicality,” Napoleon ventured. While I’m doubtful about that law being put into use in the forthcoming polls, what I know for certain is that my colleague was putting himself up for a wild goose chase. “I don’t like to sound condescending, but I feel you are taking a risk gambling in politics while you have a permanent job with the government,” I opined. “You do not understand. My desire is to serve the people of Mavumbi ward, not just to make money. In any case if I lose, I can

By Pascal Mwandambo still go back to my teaching work, even at a private school” he persisted. “But you know the mentality of our voters. Most of them, especially the youths do not want ideas that will advance their lives. They only want handouts” I threw another jab at him. I was teasing him, knowing pretty well that Napoleon parting with his

money to convince a voter is like squeezing blood out of a stone. “I know that very well but it’s high time we changed that mentality. Buying votes gives us bad leaders. We should encourage our people to elect leaders who can deliver on development” he said. “Personally, I dislike the habit of voter bribery, but as they say when you go to Rome, do what the Romans do. While you are busy selling policies andideas,yourrivalisdishing out handouts and chances are he will beat you hands down,” I reminded Napoleon. I could see him craning his neck, peeping eyes out through the window, weighing out the possibilities of winning the seat. I asked him to accompany me to Mavumbi town to test the waters with yours truly acting as his campaign consultant. I quickly demolished my ugali maiti and we made a beeline for Mavumbi bar.

The rumour had already filtered out that Mwalimu NapoleonwasvyingforMavumbi ward MCA seat and the local youthswerewaitingwiththeir handsopensaying“mheshimiwausituachehivihivi”meaning heshouldgivethemhandouts. But that could only happen over Napoleon’s dead body: “I’m going to teach you how to fish not begging for free fish” he retorted. The youths, some who looked drunk, were taken aback: “Mwalimu most of us have completed school and we don’t need to be taught anything. There are no jobs out here. Tuachie kitu” Napoleon gave me a knowing wink when the youths began heckling us as we left in a huff. I’m sure Napoleon is having second thoughts about vying for the MCA seat. I expected that kind of scenario because I have seen it over and over in my work as a journalist. It’s the wild world of politics.

Government to provide set books to schools By Roy Hezron The Ministry of Education will supply free set books to form three and four secondary school students starting from July this year. The proposal is contained in guidelines released by the government on the implementation of Free Day Secondary Education which is expected to be effective from July when new 2021/2022 academic year starts. School Principals have been advised not to procure the set books for the two classes in all public secSchool heads sample books at Kenya Secondary Schools ondary schools. The Principal Secretary in the Heads Association (KESSHA) conference. File/Photo Ministry’s State Department of Barequirements,” stated Dr. Jwan in The policy introduced in 2018 sic and Early Learning Dr. Julius Jwan also advised the Principals to the circular, which was directed to all gives the Ministry of Education through the Kenya Institute of Curensure accuracy on the school’s en- County Directors of Education. According to Dr. Jwan, funds to riculum Development (KICD) the rolment data. He said the data posted in Na- actualize the procurement and deliv- task of purchasing and distributing tional Education Management Infor- ery of the set books shall be retained the textbooks. Students are required to have mation System (NEMIS) is what the from the government’s subsidy to three set books for Fasihi ya Kiswagovernment will use to procure the schools. Over 1.4 million students who hili and three for English literature. books. “The Ministry of Education will are currently in form two and three The books are often revised every supply English Literature and Fasihi are expected to benefit under the five years. Currently, the set books which set books to Form three and four stu- government’s textbook distribution policy as from July this year when are in use and are set to be revised dents in all public secondary schools in 2021 as guided by the syllabus they will transit to Form four and include; Blossoms of the Savannah three respectively. and A Doll’s House (both Compul-

sory), The Pearl, Memories We Lost and Other Stories, and Inheritance (all optional). Fasihi ya Kiswahili has Chozi la Heri, Kigogo (Storymoja), and Tumbo Lisiloshiba na Hadithi Nyingine. Those books were rolled out in 2018 when Blossoms of the Savannah had replaced The River and the Source while A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen took the place of Caucasian Chalk Circle’s place. In the Fasihi books syllabus, Kidagaa Kimemwozea was replaced by Chozi La Heri by Assumpta K. Matei. It has emerged that KICD has already come up with a list of new Literature and Fasihi set books for secondary schools. In June, KICD called on respective publishers whose entries won the tenders for the set books and issued them with letters, although the institute has not yet issued an official circular to that effect. Sources revealed that Fathers of Nations, a novel by Paul B. Vitta (Oxford University Press), has been chosen as the English Literature compulsory text; to replace Blossoms of the Savannah by Henry ole Kulet (Longhorn Publishers).

The optional texts are Parliament of Owls (East African Educational Publishers), replacing The Pearl, a novel by John Steinbeck. A Silence Song and other Stories (Spotlight Publishers), an anthology of short stories, will replace Memories we Lost, edited by Chris Wanjala. In Kiswahili, Cheche za Moto by John Habwe (Jomo Kenyatta Foundation) will be studied as the compulsory novel, replacing Chozi La Heri by Assumpta K Matei (One Planet Publishers). Mapambazuko ya Machweo (Mountain Top Publishers) will be the new anthology of short stories, replacing Tumbo Lisiloshiba (Longhorn Publishers). The books will be in use for the next five years guaranteeing the winning publishing houses a steady source of income after the government started buying set books for all learners in public secondary schools. The total population of class sizes average about 750,000 in the country following massive enrolment since the government started the 100 per cent transition policy.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

RIFT VALLEY BARINGO

NAKURU

Baringo KESSHA hails good exams performance By Wasike Elvis and Dennis Bett Baringo Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman John Kapkapto has hailed the good performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) by schools in the area. The Uzalendo School Principal said he was impressed because schools in the region improved in their performance. “We had two students scoring A, 63 with A-, 167 B+, 311 B -, 567 B-, 885 C+, 1186 C, 1893C-, 2095D+, 1776D and 1632D,” said Kapkapto. Speaking during the Baringo KESSHA conference which brought together all secondary school principals, he said over 2000 students got grades that took them to university. “We are going to take teachers for training in terms of seminars and workshops and also induct new teachers that were recently employed,” he added. He said principals will be

Baringo Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman John Kapkapto. Photo/Elvis Wasike visiting each other to work as a team where they will also talk to teachers and students and share ideas for purposes of assisting each other. They also agreed that schools will introduce electrical, music, drawing and design, power mechanics studies to help students diversify their careers.

“We will also do career guidance and training for career teachers and train students in school on career guidance when they are in form two so that they can make good decisions,” the chairman added. He said the principals face challenges such as insecurity especially in places like Marigat Baringo North and floods in areas like Marigat and Lake Baringo. “We also face shortage of teachers and some schools use untrained teachers to cover the shortage, while indiscipline cases among boys is another challenge although we are doing a lot of counselling to change their behaviours,” he said. Absenteeism is also high because students miss classes regularly, some missing class three times in a term. Other problems include early pregnancies which is the biggest challenge because 400 girls in the entire county were pregnant while some gave birth during exam time.

Schools target 5.435 KCSE mean score By Brenda Korir Nakuru County Director of Education Fred Osewe has urged schools in the area to improve the mean score from 4.435 to 5.435 in 2021 KCSE results. In an exclusive interview with Education News, Osewe hailed the schools for improving the mean score from 4.39 in 2019 to 4.435 in 2020. Nakuru County registered a total of 38750 candidates in 2020 for the KCSE exams and presented the highest number of absentees compared to other counties. Fred Osewe, Nakuru A total of 31 scored plain As, County Education Direc782 A- 1439 B+, 2029 B plain, tor . 3001 B-, 3995 C+, 5078 C, 5744 C-, 6479D+ , 7732 D and 1950 E. going on to ensure that top schools Osewe said 49 schools attained gauge the preparedness of their a mean score of 6 and above but the learners, an exercise that is also Ministry has put strategies to ensure extended to smaller schools in the schools in the county post sterling county. He also said the Covid -19 holiresults. He said it is the mandate of day severely restricted learning alschools to cover the syllabus on time though most schools engaged their students in online classes hence imto allow time for revision. Schools joint engagement is proving the performance.

BARINGO

Man sits KCSE exams after 21 years

By Martin Ruto After 21 years of waiting, Ewoi Pkemoi Stephen is proud to have finally sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. He started his early education in North Pokot Sub-county before joining Form 1 at Kamito Secondary School in 1995. He dropped out of school in form three in 1998 after he failed to register for the KCSE exams. “I became a Catechist at the Holy Trinity Girls Secondary School church for the next 21 years, where I was also employed as a security officer,” says Ewoi. All that time, he still had the burning desire of sitting the KCSE exams and secured the services of private teachers to assist him in his studies. He then registered for KCSE and scored grade D which he says is better than thousands of regular students who scored grades D- and E. Ewoi currently works as an Assistant Librarian at Holy Trinity Girls Secondary School and is also pursuing a secretarial course as a part time student. He is well known in Riwo zone, West Pokot county as a no nonsense

Ewoi Pkemoi Stephen did KCSE after 21 years out of school and passed. Photo/Martin Ruto character who has rescued more than 10 girls this year from early marriages and ensured they were taken back to school. In his other role as the youth chairman, Ewoi ensures that young people are actively engaged in community development. The father of nine says no single child student will remain at home even if he is physically challenged. “One of my child Jecinta Chepkemoi is in form 2 at St. Cecilia Girls Secondary School Ywalateke while the third born is at Kacheliba Girls Primary School in class 6,” Ewoi says with a confident smile on his face. He urges all parents in West Pokot County to take their children to school becauses education opens all gates of success in life.

BRIEFS KAJIADO

UASIN GISHU

Protest over deaths at weighbridge

Deputy Governor urges TSC to employ teachers

A weighbridge along the Namanga- Nairobi highway in Isinya Subcounty has turned into a death trap for primary school pupils. Parents and pupils at Isinya Primary School have lamented over the dangerous bridge that has led to the death and injury of learners at the school. Over the last three years, the school has lost two pupils, while scores more have been injured in multiple road accidents involving trucks. The Isinya weighbridge that is under construction is 500 metres from the biggest public school in the area with a population of 987 pupils. The weighbridge at the Kajiado-KitengelaKiserian roads junction causes a heavy traffic jam that creates problems for the smooth movement of vehicles.

Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno has faulted the Teachers Service Commission for not employing over 300,000 P1 teachers. Speaking to the press recently, Chemno said the move by TSC is an injustice to teachers who did their PI certificate. “The move by TSC is uncalled for and only meant to punish teachers who did their certificate course,” said

- Abdi Hussein

Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno. Photo/Elvis Wasike Chemno. He asked TSC to give the teachers a refresher course for them to transit from what they trained for to what the commission desires. - Wasike Elvis

NAKURU

Nakuru ECDE centres get chairs, tables

Pupils at Orthodox Primary School in Elburgon A total of 15 schools in Bahati Sub-County in Nakuru have received furniture in phase two distribution of learning material to Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres. Schools drawn from Dundori, Kiamaina, Kabatini, Umoja /Lanet and Bahati wards received a total of 400 chairs and 60 tables during the event. Speaking during the distribution exercise, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education Francis Mwangi said they will ensure that ECDE learning is conducted smoothly and in a condusive environment. Mwangi said highly populated schools will be given priority. -Brenda Korir

TRANS NZOIA Former Kenya Seed boss ordered to surrender school land The Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission (EACC) has ordered a former Kenya Seed Managing Director to surrender land title deeds belonging to Kitale School Complex. In a letter seen by education news, he has been asked to surrender the documents of the property in question following investigations. The commission says the land was irregularly allocated to him and issued a directive that the private developer should surrender the property documents for cancellation and return of the land to the learning institution. “In exercise of its mandate conferred by law, the commission hereby demand from you the immediate surrender of the property, certificate of lease, lease both issued on march 2013 and other documents incidental thereto for cancellation”, reads the letter dated 28th of June 2021 - Philemon Kiprop

FOCUS ON PERFOMANCE CONTRACTING RATINGS 2019 - 2020

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

By Roy Hezron

airobi Technical Training Institute (NTTI) was ranked the best tertiary institution in the Public Service Performance Management and Monitoring Unit report. The report was released recently during the Public Service week celebrations in June this year. NTTI had a composite score of 2.7225 followed by Kabete National Polytechnic in the second position with 2.7756 composite score, while Thika Technical Training Institute came third with a composite score of 2.8230. The other tertiary institutions among the top 10 were Mukurwe-ini TTI (2.8248), Michuki TTI (2.8333), Karumo TTI (2.8404), Godoma TTI (2.8683), Kaiboi TTI (2.8894), and Siaya TTI (2.9679). “The performance of the Public Sector is paramount because it forms the glass ceiling for the performance of the private and public sectors of the economy,” said Prof. Margaret Kobia, Public Service Cabinet Secretary in the report. Further analysis of the evaluation report for tertiary institutions showed that Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) performed better than Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) and the national polytechnics. That was attributed to enhanced capitation by government and also support from Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) through provision of education loans and bursaries to students. The 10 bottom tertiary institutions were Technical and Vocational Colleges (TVCs) that are newly established, which attributed their dismissal performance on low student enrolment. They include Kaimosi TTC (3.8633), Gatanga TVC (3.8956), Okame TVC (3.9010), Konoin TTI

Glory Mutungi, Principal Nairobi TTI.

Nairobi TTI best tertiary institution, says report (3.9573), Narok TTC (3.9734), Murang’a TTI (3.9853), Weru TVC (4.2216), Nachu TVC (4.2216), and Nuu TVC (4.3410). None of the Teacher Training Colleges and Technical Training Institutes achieved their annual performance targets. The top ten (10) Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) whose performance evaluation results were rated as good include St. John’s TTC, Kilimambogo (3.0157), Shanzu TTC (3.0413), Machakos TTC (3.1006), Mosoriot TTC (3.1387), Kamwenje TTC (3.2118).

Others are Meru TTC (3.2781), Kagumo TTC (3.2791), Egoji Teachers College (3.3072), Garissa TTC (3.3366), and St. Paul’s Kibabii Diploma Teachers College (3.3465). A total of 18 colleges representing 66.7 per cent achieved good performance grade while nine colleges representing 33.3 per cent achieved fair grade. A total of 57 TTIs representing 70.4 per cent achieved good performance grade while 20 institutes representing 24.7 per cent achieved fair grade with only four representing 4.9 per cent achieved poor performance

grade. Performance evaluation results for National Polytechnics shows only three National Polytechnics out of 11 whose evaluation were undertaken, representing 27.3 per cent, were rated as very good. These were the Kabete National Polytechnic (2.7756), the Meru National Polytechnic (2.8340) and the Kenya Technical Trainers College (2.9707). The rest of the National Polytechnics representing 72.7 per cent failed to achieve the agreed targets, with seven National Polytechnics’

performance results being rated as good. They include the Nyeri National Polytechnic (3.0417), Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (3.1232), Eldoret National Polytechnic (3.1761), Kisumu National Polytechnic (3.2027), Sigalagala National Polytechnic (3.2285), North Eastern National Polytechnic (3.4584), and the Kitale National Polytechnic (3.5399). Only Kisii National Polytechnic had its performance evaluation results being rated as fair with a score of 3.8007.

Performance Evaluation Results for Tertiary Institutions

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Region’s best performing TVET rolls out new courses By Erick Nyayiera

3000 trainees owing to its stellar performance in national examinations and roll out of new market driven courses by NITA and CDACC. Alongside the NITA and CDAAC courses, Randa has also introduced clothing and design, beauty therapy and hair dressing, dietetics and nutrition courses among others. The recent national examinations results which came out saw the Institute do very well after registering many students scoring distinctions and a large number of them scoring credits which is not a norm in TVET institutions. “Most of the students in Technical Institutes are not very serious but here we have made it mandatory that each Head of Department must have class attendance records and work covered for each trainer so that we know exactly which areas are doing well and those that need improvement,” he adds. The Principal added that even where there was a deficit of trainers, the Board of Governors swiftly employed people to improve the performance of the trainees. Our core mandate of training supersedes any other interest or

The government has ranked Siaya Institute of Technology as one the best performing tertiary institutions in Kenya. In fact, it is the best institute in Nyanza and Western region, according to the latest report on Evaluation of Performance of Ministries, State Corporations, and Tertiary Institutions for the year 2019/2020. It emerged tenth overall among tertiary institutions in Kenya after Nairobi TTI, Kabete National Polytechnic, Meru National Polytechnic, Thika TTI, Mukurweini TTI, Michuki TTI, Karumo TTI, Daniel Randa, Principal Godoma TTI and Kaiboi TTI. Performance contract the team leader of the Principal management is a measure Committee of performance index of Management comprises senior an institution’s operations which management of the institution both in terms of re-currents and developments including and the performance contract achievements attained as coordinator. “We have ensured a envisaged in their strategic plan thorough working system in the and annual work plan. In the performance contract institution which addresses the exercise, the Institutions sign best interest of our trainees and with the Ministry of Education the satisfaction of our relevant who act on behalf of the customers,” Randa noted. At the Institute, the government. The institutions measurable and achievable set then engage with the Ministry through their Boards of targets are cascaded down to Governors throughout all the the Heads of Department who have the responsibility to ensure processes. During the scoring to proper implementation. “For Siaya Institute we determine performance, the have done a lot of development government does monitoring and evaluation after which in terms of infrastructure and institutions are ranked also properly re-branded the depending on how much they institution,” says Randa. Within a short period, the have scored against the indexes. This is how Siaya Institute college has witnessed increased of Technology was able to score enrolment from 1800 to over the good indexing and managed to beat the rest in their category. Principal Daniel Randa has revamped the Technical Training Institute and given it a new facelift. He has ensured the roll out and monitoring of rich training programmes including adding new marketable courses like NITA and CDACC courses. “As Siaya Institute of Technology, we have reached a point where we want to have evidence of performance and see it done,” said Randa. Beautiful cabro paving across the institute. As the principal, he is also

The Tuition Complex.

activity,” he said, adding that set targets have always been met through team work methodology. It is done at every level with key strategy of capacity building to the trainers and all other personnel being crucial in offering services to the trainees. On infrastructural

We have ensured a thorough working system in the institution which addresses the best interest of our trainees and the satisfaction of our relevant customers, - Daniel Randa

improvement, the Principal has plans for putting up of key facilities that is rolled out according to priorities. “Managing an institution is a matter of setting priorities right, you don’t put so much buildings

Performance contract management is a measure of performance index of an institution’s operations both in terms of re-currents and developments including achievements attained as envisaged in their strategic plan and annual work plan.

New Gate under construction.

that won’t get completed easily since infrastructure are a permanent. You just take one or two and do it to final finish for use,” he believes. His vision is to see the institution being identified as a clean state corporation to make the trainees to be proud and own their institute. “We have put tile floors in our tuition areas and across the buildings and also done cabro floor designs to make sure the buildings are neat,” he stated. They also did numerous hand washing points in line with Covid-19 protocols to meet the Ministry of Health protocals. Siaya Institute of Technology is currently putting up a Sh77 million four storey building library and Tuition Complex and a modern gate. “The government gives resources to the institutes hence Principals must strive to ensure they use the monies prudently,” said Randa. The Principal has also adopted the technique of engaging his trainees in small civic works for the school which has enabled him develop more infrastructure. “The trainees are paid small stipends and they love the experience which also gives them on-job experience while at the Institute,” he added. They therefore no longer use contractors for those constructions on which they used to spent millions of shillings and only engage contractors on constructions that are too technical.

Trainees holding discussions inside the institute’s park.

Workshop complex.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

SIAYA TTI COURSES VISION To be a market leader and regional trendsetter in the provision of top-notch training research and innovation

MISSION To produce a specialized human resource with creative, innovative and adaptive skills to face the challenges of globalization

FULL TIME COURSES SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CODE

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EET 400

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CORE VALUES Creativity Integrity Professionalism Social Responsibility Team Work Equity

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AGR 500 AGR 600

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2 Years

FBM 600 DURATION 2 Years

KCSE Mean Grade KNEC C- (Minus) LSV 600 Diploma in Land Surveying KCSE Mean Grade KNEC C- (Minus) LSV 500 Certificate in Land Surveying KCSE Mean Grade KNEC D (Plain) DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ICT 500 Certificate in Information and KCSE Mean Grade KNEC Communication Technology D (Plain) ICT 600 Diploma in Information and KCSE Mean Grade KNEC Communication Technology C- (Minus) LIS 500 Certificate in Library and Information KCSE Mean Grade KNEC Studies D (Plain) LIS 600 Diploma in Library and Information KCSE Mean Grade KNEC Studies C- (Minus) SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY STUDIES ENV 600 Diploma in Environmental Science

Address

EXAM BODY

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND SPATIAL PLANNING ARC 600 Diploma in Architecture

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGR 400 Artisan Certificate in Agriculture

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENT KCPE/ KCSE Mean Grade D- (Minus) KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus)

FBM 500

KNEC

2 Years

Jan / Sept

KNEC

3 Years

Jan / Sept

KNEC

3 Years

Jan / Sept

Certificate in Social Works and Community Development DEPARTMENT OF ENTREPRENURSHIP CPD 600 Diploma in Cooperative Development

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EET 650 Higher Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Power) EET 450

Certificate in Solar PV installations

DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SCIENCE ACH 650 Higher Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

APB 650

Higher Diploma in Applied Biology

Diploma Electrical Engineering KCPE/KCSE Mean Grade D- (Minus)

KNEC

1 Year

May /Sept (Evenings & Weekends)

NITA

1 Year

May

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry Diploma in Applied Biology

KNEC

3 Years

August/April (School Based)

KNEC

3 Years

August/April (School Based)

KCSE Mean Grade D+ (Plus) KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) KCSE Mean Grade C+ (Plus) KCSE Mean Grade C+ (Plus) KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain)

KASNEB

1 Year

Jan / May

KASNEB

18 Months

Jan / May

KASNEB

1 Year

Jan / May

KASNEB

3 Years

Jan / May

KNEC

2 Years

Jan / May

KCSE Mean Grade D+ (Plus)

KNEC

2 Years

August/April (School Based) August/April (School Based) August/April /December

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ATC 500 Certificate in Accounting Management Skills ATD 600 Accounting Technician Diploma CFA 600

Certified Investment Financial Analyst

CPA 600

Certified Public Accountant

SEC 500

Secretarial Single & Group

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES ECD 500 Certificate in Early Childhood Education ECD 600

Diploma in Early Childhood Education

KCSE Mean Grade C (Plain)

KNEC

3 Years

HTS 650

HIV Testing Services

Diploma in any Relevant Social Sciences

NASCOP

1 Month

KNEC Diploma

KNEC

1 Year

August/April (School Based)

Level 3 – 1 TERM Level 4 – 2 TERMS Level 5 – 4 TERMS Level 6 – 8 TERMS

August/April

DEPARTMENT OF ENTREPRENURSHIP CPD 600 Higher Diploma in Entrepreneurship Development CBET COURSES BLDC HDBC FOOC EETC PLBC WELC CMC MCC CCPC RTC CPC SWDC

Level 3 - KCPE Level 4 – KCPE/KCSE D LEVEL 5 – KCSE D LEVEL 6 – KCSE C- and above

TIVET CDACC

Varsities sign research contract with counties Fredrick Odiero Lake Region governors have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 11 universities for research and innovation programmes. Lake Region Economic Bloc chairman Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the MoU will help the 14 counties collaborate with universities in creating local knowledge that can impact the lives of the residents. Oparanya said they have already appointed a committee that will oversee the implementation of the programme in the counties. He said the pillars they will work on include trade, tourism, climate change, persons with disability, medical research among others.

Maseno, Kibabii, Alupe, Jaramogi Oginga University of Science and Technolgy and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technlogy are among the universities that signed the MoU. The member counties are Kisumu, Migori, Nandi, Kakamega, Bomet, Siaya, Busia, Homa Bay, Kisii, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kericho and Nyamira. Oparanya said the outcome of the collaboration between counties and universities will inform their LREB Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya (centre) with Goverpolicymaking and overall planning nors Anyang Nyong’o (right) (Kisumu) and James Ongwae (Kisii). Photo/Fredrick Odiero on matters of development. “We have realized that there are many universities in the lake region that we have to make good seventh summit in Kisumu that higa), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), use of in research and innovation,” governors will also involve relevant Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), committees of Parliament. James Ongwae (Kisii) and Siaya he said. Governors Anyang’ Nyong’o Deputy Governor James Okumbe Oparanya said after the bloc’s (Kisumu), Wilbur Ottichilo (Vi- attended the meeting.

Bloc CEO Abala Wanga and a host of LREB advisory committee members were also present. Kisii University vice chancellor Professor John Akama lauded the landmark move said it has been long overdue. Akama said counties have very qualified personnel who can ably work with universities provided there is a conducive environment. The don said that countries such as South Korea are way ahead since they have invested heavily on research and innovation. Akama said South Korea invests some 65% of its gross domestic product on research and innovation. “That is why the country today is a major power house in computer software and the manufacturing world’ he said.

FOCUS ON PERFOMANCE CONTRACTING RATINGS 2019 - 2020

By Roy Hezron

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

Embu ranked best Varsity in Kenya

der the ministry of education. An indepth analysis of the report reveals further that Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) which had a score of 2.9091 was the best tertiary education in service delivery to the public. It was followed by Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) with a score of 3.0922 and Kenya Water Institute (3.2828). Kenya Utalii College (3.2867), Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (3.2970), Bukura Agricultural College (3.5723), and Kenya School of Law (3.5869) followed in that order. Commercial or manufacturing state corporations under Ministry of Education, Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) had a score 3.0879, Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB) (3.2828) and School Equipment Production Unit (4.1464). Performance Contracting (PC) in the public service is aimed at improving efficiency in service delivery through ensuring that holders of public office are held accountable for results.

niversity of Embu is the best performing state corporation in service delivery in the country. The university was ranked in the recent evaluation report of performance contracting carried out by the public service. The report was on evaluation of the performance of Ministries, State Corporations and Tertiary Institutions for the 2019/2020 Financial Year. It found the University had a composite score of 2.1250 meaning it exceeded the performance targets agreed upon at the beginning of 2019/20 Financial Year by more than 30 per cent. The report released during the Public Service Week in June by the Performance Management and Monitoring Unit of the Public Service also listed the public universities as the best performing State Corporations under functional category. The universities had a composite score of 3.0312 which is rated as very good under performance grade and composite scores. The new Administration block at the University of Embu. Photo/Kamundia Muriithi That meant that a maPublic Universities Perfomance jority of the universities in their achievements during the Evaluation Results For FY 2019/2020 CDAC) topped the list of edu- composite score of 2.7793. 2019/20 Financial Year (FY), cational service providers. Also rated were the Highexceeded their set targets by They registered a com- er Education Loans Board up to 30 per cent. posite score of 2.2587 among (HELB) with a composite The universities have State Corporations that were score of 2.9830 and the Kenya maintained the trend since in listed to have “Excellent” per- Accountants and Secretaries 2018/19 FY, when they also formance, taking position three National Examinations Board emerged the best under the (KASNEB) (3.0195). functional category among the Also in the list are Kenya State Corporations. National Examination CounAn analysis of the report The report was on cil (KNEC) (3.0509), Kenya shows that five public univer- evaluation of the National Commission for sities were among the top 10 UNESCO (3.0712) and Kenya performance of State Corporations, with three Institute of Special Education obtaining an “Excellent” per- Ministries, State (KISE) with a score of 3.1330. Corporations and formance grade. Other corporations includThat implied that their Tertiary Institutions ed Kenya National Innovation achievements in the 2019/20 for the 2019/2020 Agency (KENIA) with a score FY exceeded the set targets by of 3.1532 and Centre for MathFinancial Year. more than 30 per cent. ematics, Science and TechnolThe three were University It found the ogy Education in Africa with a of Embu (2.1250), Tharaka University had a score of 3.3324. University College (2.1791) composite score The TVET Authority led and the University of Nairobi of 2.1250 meaning the list of educational regula(2.2621) at first, second and tors with a composite score of it exceeded the fourth positions respectively. 3.0016 followed by the CounChuka University and performance targets cil of Legal Education (CLE) South Eastern Kenya Univer- agreed upon at (3.3503), the Commission for sity were among the top five the beginning of University Education (CUE) universities but were rated as 2019/20 Financial (3.3709), and National IndusState Corporations with “Very trial Training Authority (NITA) Year by more than Good” performance grade tak(3.6439). ing sixth and eighth positions 30 per cent. The National Commission respectively. for Science, Technology and Other Public Universities Innovation (NACOSTI) in the in the top 10 were Kibabii overall. education training and research (2.6940), Kenyatta (2.7260), Other educational ser- state corporations category had Murang’a, (2.7750), Multi- vice providers’ rated highly a composite score of 3.8662. media (2.8557), and Rongo included the Kenya Institute The University Funding (2.8604). of Curriculum Development Board (UFB) and National Technical and Vocational (KICD) with a composite score Research Fund (NRF) had a Education Training Curriculum of 2.6355, Kenya Universities’ composite score of 3.0537 and Development, Assessment and and College Central Placement 3.2683 respectively among the Certification Council (TVET Service (KUCCPS) with a financial state corporations unSource: 2019/20 Public Service Report

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Godoma TTI voted among best TVET Colleges in Kenya

Ms.Hafsa Seif, Institute Principal. By Tsozungu Kombe

odoma Technical Training Institute (GTTI) in Kilifi County is ranked among the top 10 colleges in its category across the country. The Institute was ranked position eight overall in Technical Training Institutes which were recently evaluated. “The college has recorded

News in her office at the institute, located at Matano Manne area in Vitengeni Division in Ganze Sub County along the Vitengeni – Kilifi road. The Principal attributes the top marks the college scored in the performance contracting to dedication and hard work by all staff and teamwork. She further revealed that Periodic and quarterly returns and adherence to timelines and providing all evidence available is also important as regards performance contracts. Other appraisal areas where they scored highly include meeting targets and having work plans that contributed towards achieving good performance contract grades. Others issues that mattered included strictly following the budget and procurement plans as provided for the contracting guidelines. The Principal says performance contracting has been assigned for the third time and they are looking forward to bigger things in future. The Institute has also managed to complete phase two buildings as a department in Building and Civil Engineering. The principal apprciates MOE/AfDB for the

Principal, Seif Hafsa and a section of teaching staff. tremendous growth in terms of infrastructure and student enrolment among other developments,” says Principal Seif Hafsa. It is the shining beacon of technical training needs in the Coast region, where it was ranked first among the many colleges across the vast area after the performance contracting process. Ms. Hafsa spoke to Education

recently completed phase 2, and was looking foward to a phase 3 which is the institution stratergic plan read “ Department of Tourism and Hospitality”. Godoma TTI sits on a 26 acre piece of land and was officially opened by the Deputy President William Ruto on November 17, 2016. The Principal says the college BOARD MEMBERS

started admitting students in January, 2016 for Electrical and ICT Craft and Diploma levels courses. From the first group of 75 students admitted in 2016, the number increased to 350 students in 2017 and gradually grew to a population of more than 1000 students as at today. The first group of students sat the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) exams in July 2017. In 2016, a total of 50 trainees registered for the Electrical Engineering course while 22 students were admitted to the ICT class. In the second batch of 2018 here there was a 20% increase of those who registered for the KNEC exams because the courses offered had also multiplied. A total of 70 trainees were registered for Business studies exams, while 44 sat technical exams. Currently Godoma Technical Training Institute is offering Diploma/Craft Courses as follows: • Electrical and Electronics Engineering • Business Courses • ICT • Building and Civil Engineering • Food and Beverages • Tourism Management

• Overall performance 2nd runner up • ICT - position 1 • In Mechanical (Solar Water Purifier) - 1st runner up • Agriculture-2nd runner up respectively. The Principal says that the Institute is currently self-reliant on vegetables it produces from its kitchen garden and also has bread bakery.

The Institute currently has 16 trainers employed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) while14 were hired by the Board of Management (BOM). The TTI also participates in all extra curriculum activities like sports, athletics, drama and music at both regional and national levels. They also participated in the TVET Fair and Exhibitions in 2020 at the regional and national levels and won trophies in the following categories.

Glance box

Tuition Block. She asked residents of Kilifi County to co-operate and enrol their children who have completed KCSE so that they can be trained in various hands on skills. “Skill based courses will enable youth to get exposure and be ready for the competitive job market in the developing world,” noted Madam Seif.

The institute vans.

Students showcasing their hospitality skills during a workshop at the institution.

MOTTO: Quality learning for Academic and Technological Excellence, VISION: A Centre of Excellence in Technological Training, MISSION: To become a world class TVET Institution in training for academic development.

Phase 2 on strategic plan building

Students in the Building and Construction workshop.

Varsity Bulletin JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

24 EDUCATION NEWS

THE PLATFORM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

UASU Election – Lecturers elect first woman union chair By Staff Reporter

isii University lecturer and lawyer Grace Nyongesa is now the new University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Chairperson. She is the first woman to hold a top seat in the county’s trade unions, as Dr. Constantine Wasonga defended his National Secretary General (NSG) seat. Nyongesa, who is also a practicing lawyer in Nakuru, won the hotly contested seat by 248 votes in the recently concluded national elections held at Nakuru Athletics Club, vowed to be a tough unionist like her predecessor who, she said, gave the government a hard time in labour negotiations. “My predecessor was tough, but I promise to be tougher. Iam glad to be the first female chairperson of this trade union,” said Nyongesa after being declared the winner. The seat attracted three contestants, with Muiga Rugara from Jomo

Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) Chapter coming second with 245 votes, and Dr. Richard Bosire from the University of Nairobi (UoN) Chap-

ter being at third position with 20 votes. The seat was left vacant after long-serving UASU boss Prof. Muga K’Olale resigned just days

Addressing the SDC in Nakuru, Prof. K’Olale urged the newly elected national officials to steer the union to greater heights. “I am leaving this union with my head high. I have never Godoma Technical Training Institute been compromised despite the P. O. Box 1808 – 80108, Kilifi, Kenya UASU NEWLY ELECTED NATIONAL OFFICIALS 2021 Tel – 2026 0720 755 952 Email info@godomatti.ac.kemany temptations. I urge the new office not to be ethnocen Position Name Name Chapter Chapter Position tric. Be professional and stand COURSES STARTING SEPTEMBER 2019 for the ideals of UASU,” Prof. advised. National National Applications areMurang’a invited for Fulltime and Evening CoursesK’Olale as outlined below:Kisii Grace Weldon Dr. Wasonga of Maseno University of Chairperson Assistant University Nyongesa Keter ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT University Chapter who deTechnology Treasurer Minimum Entry fendedMode hisOfSG seatExam stated that S/No Course Duration Study Body Requirements in his second term, he shall foDiploma in Electrical and Electronics 1 KCSE Mean C - (Minus) 3 Years KNEC cus onFull-Time bridging the inequaliEngineering University of National Cyprian Onesmus Multimedia National Certificate in Electrical and Electronics ties that public university dons 2 KCSE Mean grade D 2 Years Full-Time KNEC Kabianga Vice ChairEngineering Ombati Maluki Organizing face as part of their demands University person 3 Electrical Installation Artisan Open Full-Time KNEC Mutio Secretary 1 Year in their next Collective BarShort Courses gaining Agreement (CBA). 1 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Open 3Months Time GTTI HeFull/Part noted that the promoJaramogi 2 Solar Installation Open 3Months Full/Part Time National tion of lecturers GTTI had been Dr. Maseno National Oginga Odinga Dr. 3 Electrical Wiring Open 3Months Time GTTI Secretary left toFull/Part individual universities Constantine University Trustee 1 University of Francis General which are never in a hurry to Wasonga BUILDING & CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Odundo Science and do so, hence limiting dons’ caTechnology Minimum Entry S/No Course Duration Mode Of Study Body reer growth whichExam eventually Requirements Technical National demotivates them. 1 Diploma in Building & Construction Tech KCSE Mean C - (Minus) 3 Years Full-Time KNEC Jacob University of Deputy have been KNEC re-elected Dr.in Building Jane& Construction Tech 2 Certificate KCSE Mean grade D 2 Years “I Full-Time Musembi Moi National Kenya Secretary alongside a very KNEC able team Michael KCSE Mean grade D 2 Years Full-Time 3 Certificate in Plumbing and General Fitting University Trustee 2 General and our message KNEC to Salaries KCSE Mean grade D 2 Years Full-Time 4 Certificate in Welding and Fabrication and Remuneration Commis5 Artisan in Masonry Open 1 Year Full/Part Time KNEC sion (SRC) is simple-We shall Dr. Pwani 6 Artisan in Plumbing Open National 1 Year Full/Part Time KNEC Egerton National John negotiate. Article 230 of the Janepha University 7 Artisan in Welding & Fabrication Open 1 Year Full/Part Time KNEC Trustee 3 University Treasurer Malii constitution is not superior Kemunto Open 1 Year Full/Part Time KNEC 8 Artisan in Carpentry and Joinery to Article 41,” stated Dr. WaKumba Short Courses songa 1

Full/Part Time

GTTI

Minimum Entry Requirements

Duration

Mode Of Study

Exam Body

Diploma in Social Work

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

COURSES STARTINGSEPTEMBER 2021-20222019 COURSES STARTING

Diploma in Sales and Marketing

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Diploma in Supply Chain Management

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Applications are invited for Fulltime and Evening Courses as outlined below:-

Diploma in Business Management

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Diploma in Human Resource Management

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Diploma in Clerical Operations

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Minimum Entry Requirements

Duration

Mode Of Study

Exam Body

Certificate in Social Work

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Sales and Marketing

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Supply Chain Management

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Business Management

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Human Resource Management

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Clerical Operations

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Agribusiness

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Storekeeping

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Course Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Certificate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Electrical Installation Artisan

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Open

1 Year

Full-Time

KNEC

Short Courses 1

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Open

3Months

Full/Part Time

GTTI

Solar Installation

Open

3Months

Full/Part Time

GTTI

Electrical Wiring

Open

3Months

Full/Part Time

GTTI

BUILDING & CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT S/No

3Months

Course

Open

S/No

P.O.Box 1808- 80108,Kilifi,Kenya Tel 0720 755 952 Email info@godomatti.ac.ke Tel 0720 755 952 Email info@godomatti.ac.ke

Brick Making, Tilling

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT

Godoma Technical Training Institute Godoma Technical Training Institute P. O. Box 1808 – 80108, Kilifi, Kenya

S/No

before the national elections after serving as the National Chairperson from 2016 during the Special Delegates Conference (SDC) held in Kisumu.

Course

Minimum Entry Requirements

Duration

Mode Of Study

Exam Body

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM DEPARTMENT S/No

Course

Minimum Entry Requirements

Duration

Mode Of Study

Exam Body

Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Tour Guiding and Operations

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Diploma in Building & Construction Tech

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Food and Beverage Production, Sales and Services

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Building & Construction Tech

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Plumbing and General Fitting

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Catering and Accommodation

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in Welding and Fabrication

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Artisan in Hair Dressing and Beauty Therapy

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Artisan in Masonry

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Artisan in Catering and Accommodation

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Artisan in Food & Beverage Production, Service and Sales

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Artisan in Plumbing

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Artisan in Welding & Fabrication

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Artisan in Carpentry and Joinery

Open

1 Year

Full/Part Time

KNEC

Short Courses 1

Brick Making, Tilling

Open

3Months

Full/Part Time

GTTI

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT

Application Procedure Minimum Entry S/No online Course through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Duration Mode Of Study- KUCCPS. Exam Body - Apply Placement Services Requirements - Download the Application Form with instructions from our website www.godomatti.ac.ke or 1 Diploma in Social Work KCSE Mean C - (Minus) 3 Years Full-Time KNEC collect the Application from the institute. 2 in Sales and Marketing Mean C - (Minus) 3 Years Full-Time KNEC - Send or Diploma hand deliver the Application Form KCSE to: The Principal, Godoma Technical Training Institute 3

Diploma in Supply Chain Management

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Diploma in Business Management

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Diploma in Human Resource Management

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) DEPARTMENT Minimum Entry Requirements

Duration

Mode Of Study

Exam Body

Diploma in ICT

KCSE Mean C - (Minus)

3 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

Certificate in ICT

KCSE Mean grade D

2 Years

Full-Time

KNEC

GTTI

S/No

Course

1 2

Short Courses 1

Computer Maintenance

Open

3Months

Fulltime/Parttime

Computer Networking

Open

3Months

Fulltime/Parttime

GTTI

Computer Packages

Open

3Months

Fulltime/Parttime

GTTI

Application Procedure 1. Apply online through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service - KUCCPS (https://student.kuccps.net). 2. Download the Application Form with instructions from our Website: www.godomatti.ac.ke or collect the

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

Varsity Bulletin

Undergraduates are trained on the uses of ebooks databases so that they can maintain social distance by reducing contact while sharing printed books.

THE PLATFORM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Safe food laboratory launched at Egerton varsity The facility will contribute to production of quality human and animal feeds The SAF LAB will serve as a food safety reference laboratory equipped with modern research facilities aimed at benefiting researchers countrywide. By Correspondent The National Research Fund (NRF) and Egerton University have partnered to establish a Safe Food Laboratory (SAF- LAB) worth 39 million shillings funded by the National Research Fund. The facility will contribute to production of quality human and animal feeds, says Principal Secretary Ministry of Education, State Department for University Education and Research Amb. Simon Nabukwesi. Speaking after launching the laboratory during the 43rd graduation ceremony at Egerton University, the PS said the lab will help create a healthy nation and increase production leading to overall economic development. “We need to assess whether we are progressing in research or stagnating. Investing in research and innovation is progressive. It is from the findings of research and development of new innovations that we find solutions to our problems and consequently improve the quality of our life and standards of living” said Amb. Nabukwesi. The SAF LAB will serve as a food safety reference laboratory equipped

with modern research facilities aimed at benefiting researchers countrywide. It will enhance the horticultural industry in Kenya to meet standards for the export market as farmers will be in a position to have their produce tested for the detection of pesticides and herbicides in vegetables, fruits, flowers. The Vice Chancellor Egerton University Prof. Isaac Kibwage was pleased that NRF had chosen to collaborate with Egerton university in carrying out research that will support one of the country’s priority areas in fighting poverty, disease and hunger thus enhancing food production in maize and beans.

National Research Fund (NRF) Dr Jemima Onsare was pleased that the university had partnered with the Technical University of Mombasa and Rongo University in the food safety research adding that NRF would continue to provide support when required and monitor the progress. On his part the Chief Executive Officer Kenya Innovation Agency (KENIA) Dr.Tony Omwonsa encouraged farmers to plant crops which can be used to produce non-poisonous pesticides and enhance food production. He said the safe food research laboratory at Egerton University will assist in producing price user friendly

PS Amb. Simon Nabukwesi being shown facilities at the Safe Food laboratory launched at Egerton university recently. He noted that aflatoxin fungi contaminate and kill the farmers’ harvest contributing to cancer thus leading to human death. Prof Kibwage said the use of natural bio pesticides using medical plants such as Aloe Vera will assist in controlling cop disease therefore making the food produce less harmful for human consumption. The Chief Executive Officer

pesticides which can be sold locally to farmers within the East African region without relying on European and Asian produced pesticides. He encouraged the researchers at the university to produce pesticides in large quantities that can be commercialized locally and enable Egerton University to restore its niche as an agricultural institution.

Library promotes online learning and reading

Irene Sang’ - user services librarian explaining to Rongo University students the various services they can get online during the University’s Library week. Photo/Michael Oduor By Michael Oduor Rongo University in Rongo Sub-County, Migori County is championing educational development in the community and the Country at large through online learning and reading. The University based in the South Nyanza region recently held its Library Week event with the theme, “Read more! Do more! Be more! amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Apart from training different professionals, the university library has decided to use the library week to create awareness to the community at large on the availability of electronic materials subscribed at by the University in the form of ebooks databases, which they can access. Speaking to Education News, the acting University librarian, Mr. Joel Nakitare said the Library week is targeting undergraduate and post-graduate students. Others are the Rongo University staff training as well as participating in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Undergraduates are trained on the uses of ebooks databases so that they can maintain social distance by reducing contact while sharing printed books. Post-graduate students are also informed about the various resources so that they can use to do their research away from the University library. The children’s section targets primary school children whose parents are members of the RU staff and have the privilege of using books from the University Library. Staff members with class 4 and 6 pupils have the chance to take the books for the pupils who currently are at home after finishing their exam. That prevents them getting into vices that may have a negative impact in their lives. The library team and some well wishers will visit the Good Samaritan Children Home in Migori for donation of childrens’ books, food, money, toiletries among others in supporting the children during this Covid-19 season.

University to house Green Innovation Centre By Kamundia Muriithi The University of Embu has partnered with GAPL Kenya and Kenya Climate Innovation Centre to construct a certified zero carbon building, called The Green Innovation Centre. The building to be located inside the university will house and incubate entreprenuers and businesses addressing climate change, sustainable agriculture and food security initiatives challenges. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Daniel Mugendi, Director of GAPL Kenya and Green Building Consultant Mugure Njendu and Kenya Climate Education Centre CEO Dr Edward Mungai signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding committing to partner towards a greener future through the development of the centre.

According to Prof Mugendi, the GIC is a landmark project that responds in three ways to the challenges of climate change, unemployment and agricultural challenges. The university and GAPL, an architectural and urban planning firm signed an MoU in November 2020 towards working together to deliver the GIC. GAPL Kenya “We are proud to bring on board a key ally and progressive institution in climate action and strong anchor in the support of green entrepreneurship, the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre,” said Mugendi. Mugure who is an Architect, explained that the lead consultants developed the concept for the university on the realization that it is focused on addressing climate change challenges, and with a strong history in the agricultural sector. “The GIC as conceptualized is a

zero carbon building that will house an innovation centre that incubates, supports innovations and research and grows businesses for the local community, the nation, and larger East African region around sustainable solutions that will impact climate challenges,” she said. Mugure added that the country

Prof Daniel Mugendi, University of Embu Vice Chancellor.

will not manage to solve the climate crisis if does not tackle the building sector. She noted that the constructrion sector has become one of the mnost significant sectors that cause real environmental impacts by emitting large amounts of emissions into the atmosphere. Mugure cited studies that show that buildings are responsible for 39 percent of carbon dioxide emissions and 36 percent global energy consumption. She added that the building sector has the largest potential for significantly reducing greenhouse emissions compared to other major emitting sectors. Dr Mungai said they will mitigate climate change, support enterprises and agricultural based technologies through the partnership. “KCIC will support by provid-

ing business incubation and acceleration services by providing advice on related intellectual property rights and strategies, commercial licensing options for the technologies and developing partnerships with commercial and industry partners for the purpose of deploying the technologies and innovations acquired,’’ said Munga. A zero-carbon building is a highly energy-efficient building that produces onsi, carbon-free renewable energy or high-quality carbon offsets to counterbalance the annual carbon emissions from building materials and operations. All buildings must be net zero carbon by 2050 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and from 2030 all new buildings should be zero carbon. However, fewer than 1% of buildings are certified zero carbon buildings today.

TERTIARY INSTITUTI 26 EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

Shedding light on TTCs, TVETS and Other Colleges

Let private TVETs access Helb loans-Principal Not all students can go to public institutions to access TVET training and that is why private institutions come in to bridge the gap. He asked the government to allow students who join private institutions to access HELB funding just like their counterparts in public institutions. - Akoko. By Erick Nyayiera The Ministry of Education has been urged to fast-track the listing of private TVET institutions to enable students benefit from HELB funding. The Principal of VITECH College Julius Nyerere Akoko says the delayed approval of private TVET institution to benefit from HELB loans and bursary is denying some students training opportunity. “Not all students can go to public institutions to access TVET training and that is why private institutions come in to bridge the gap,” said Akoko. He asked the government to allow students who join private institutions to access HELB funding just like their counterparts in public institutions. Akoko disclosed that efforts by private intuitions offering TVET courses to get listing and approval for HELB funding have been frustrated for many years. The institutions have fully complied with the Ministry of Education standards and have been certified to offer TVET courses. “We have made application to be considered for listing but nothing has been fourth coming,” he complained. He added that lack of access to

HELB loans has also affected the enrollment in private colleges yet we play a critical role in training students. Akoko said both public institutions and private colleges offering TVET courses are training human resource necessary for the country’s development and attainments of vision 2030. “We are all contributing to one pool of highly qualified individuals who are expected to drive the growth of the country and there-

Dr. Margaret Mwakima, Technical and Vocational Education PS. fore students across the two divides should be accorded fair treatment,” Akoko said. He argued that they should not

be denied loans because individual students will pay back the money Akoko on the other hand asked principals at various secondary schools to redefine success. He said the current definition of success at secondary school level has contributed poor career choices by many students. He said majority of secondary schools work towards sending as many students as possible to universities without bothering the kind of courses they will pursue in the name of success. That he said leads to the students ending up with less marketable careers. “Focus should be shifted to strengthening career guidance at secondary school level to help the students choose what is required in the job market,” said Akoko. He advised that the parameters should be guided towards pursuing marketable careers instead of trying to send everybody to university. “A student who has chosen to pursue a career in engineering can start off at a TVET institution before joining an Engineering degree program instead of joining the university directly to pursue any available or less marketable course” Akoko stated.

TVETA to audit all VTCs

The auditing team at Wumingu Technical and Vocational College recently. Photo/Michael Oduor. By Staff Reporter The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) department is undertaking a quality audit exercise of Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in Taita Taveta County. Speaking recently at Mwagafwa

VTC in Wundanyi, the TVETA Compliance Enforcement Deputy Director Josephine Kasera said the move is aimed at indicating quality and standard of training. She said the authority will be looking into the leadership, physical resources, governance and management and human resource.

Other key training areas to be looked into are innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration, training delivery, program evaluation, trainees support, and co-curricular activities “This exercise will ultimately assist the authority to identify challenges facing the training sector to ensure that the government’s efforts in transforming technical training are fruitful”, She said. “We acknowledge the support from the national government that has seen more than 28 VTCs in our county offer quality training, added the County Director for Vocational Training Mr. Raphael Chola as he welcomed the move. He added that they will ensure necessary action is taken for the betterment of the institutions where mistakes have been noted. Chola further urged the govern-

Some TTCs have no students for many years By Lydia Ngoolo The Kenya Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) Principals Associations Nairobi region chairman Margret Kahiga has said TTIs are looking forward to admitting quality students and offer them quality education. Speaking at Mwingi Teachers Training College during private and public TTC principals meet-

She lamented that some colleges like Narok and Kitui have no students but hoped that they will now still get more admissions. She pointed out that Machakos and Thogoto TTC are the CBC piloting colleges and they are ready to train the teachers. The vice chairman Nairobi region and host Director Julius Mutukaa of Mwingi TTC expressed his joy that with the current Basic

Chairman Kenya Teacher Training College Principals Association, Nairobi region Margaret Kahiga (centre) with Vice-Chairman Julius Mutukaa during a recent meeting in Mwingi. Photo/Lydia Ngoolo. ing, Kahiga welcomed the recent raise of the qualification grade for students joining TTIs. “That’s a clear indication that we will be admitting and training high qualified teachers,” she said. Kahiga told the meeting that the current scheme focuses so much on Competency Based Curriculum and all the colleges now compliant. “Sports is much emphasised and we are deeply in it,” Kahiga.

ment to develop a scheme of service that can be used by counties to employ instructors in grade 1 and 2 as the current scheme being relied on is from the national government. Earlier, the team joined officials from the Ministry of Education led by Chief national government has set aside funds to construct boys’ and girls’ hostels Administrative

Education Act, private institutions have been recognised. He thanked the ministry of education for allowing private and public sector to work together as a team. Mutukaa called for continued partnership and called upon other stakeholders to join them. “Let us all bear in our mind that no leaner is private, only the institutions are private,” Mutukaa.

Secretary Hassan Noor and Principal Secretary State Department of Vocational and Technical Training Dr. Margaret Mwakima on a visit to Wumingu Technical & Vocational College. They urged the County government and the Wundanyi Member of Parliament office to construct a staff quarters.

The auditing team being taken through some student innovations at Wumingu Technical and Vocational College recently. Photo/Michael Oduor

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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EDUCATION NEWS

Sept/Jan Sept/Jan May/Jan May/Sept The Jan

Kaiboi TTI adopts Performance Contracting to boost service delivery

P.O. Box

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineerin Mechanical Engineerin Mechanical Engineerin

PC has different stages which we as the committee are tasked to implement. The stagesWelding in- And Fabricatio clude pre-negotiation, then negotiation with the government agencies, agreement and theElectrical final and Buildin Sept/Jan stage is implementation. We look at activities which we wish to do, for instance provision of Electrical wa- & Electronics Sept/Jan ter, sanitizing materials, undertaking projects like building of classrooms, reviewing courses, Electrical & Electronics Sept/Jan Building & Constructio Sept/Jan attachment and apprenticeship and offering attachment to students - Principal, Charles Koech Land Survey May/Sep Jan Jan Jan/May May/Sept Jan May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept

Sept/Jan May/Sept Jan

tiation with the government agencies, agreement and the final stage is implementation. We look at activities which we wish to do, for instance provision of water, sanitizing materials, undertaking projects like building of classrooms, reviewing courses, attachment and apprenticeship and offering attachment to students,” he said. He said that during the implementation stage, each chairperson gives their report after which

evidence based,” he said He said that through the programme, they have been able to implement many programmes which include automatic temperature measurement point, construction of science lab, poultry and hatchery unit, food and beverage unit, and a facelift of the institution. He said that since the programme came into being, it has greatly improved on transparency,

ing institutions to embrace the program which he said produces good results as it aids in proper utilization of college funds through budgeting and procurement. He said that with the program, the institute has put in place an elaborate plan which will ensure that they rise to a National Polytechnic level in the next three years. Prior to the meeting as the principal receives the PC cycle,

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Sept/Jan aboi Technical Sept/Jan Training Institute Jan/May has witnessed May/Septt r e m e n d o u s Jan/May/Sept growth in service delivery by adopting Performance Contracting (PC). Sept/Jan Contracting is a us) Performance Sept/Jan us) model of management style which is runSept/Jan through a committee led by us) the chairman who is the principal. Sept/Jan us) ItSept/Jan is undertaken by a PC Cous) ordinator who receives and acts Sept/Jan us) on information from the PC Comus) mitteeSept/Jan Chairpersons who represent Sept/Jan us) Committee members during the May/Jan ) meeting. The Committee is tasked with May/Jan ) the responsibility of implementMay/Jan ) ing school programs on a quarterly May/Jan ) basis.May/Jan ) Kaiboi TTI situated in Nandi ) May/Jan County, Mosop Sub-County has us) ; KCPE May/Jan grown gradually to become one us) of theMay/Jan leading Technical Training Institutes in Kenya courtesy of its good management strategy aided s) Aug/Dec Contract (PC) by Performance s) whichAug/Dec the college management has s) Aug/Dec embraced. s) Aug/Dec Speaking to Education News in his office, the institute’s Principal (Minus) Aug/Dec Koech, said that the manApril/Aug/Dec ove Charles agement supports the programme April/Aug/Dec in Elect by giving training and upscaling. quirements April/Aug “The PC has different stages which we as the committee are tasked to implement. The stages include pre-negotiation, then nego-

Information Commun

Administration and Tuition Block. vetting will be done by the BOG Chairperson and Education Cabinet Secretary then implements. He added that after the implementation, a media review is done by the committee to share the progress of the report on PC implementation. “We do evaluation after every financial year whereby the Ministry evaluates based on activities we’re undertaking. Everything is

‘

Since the programme came into being, it has greatly improved on transparency, infrastructure, and service delivery to clients as well as increased enrolment. - Mr Johana Chesire.

infrastructure, and service delivery to clients as well as increased enrolment. He added that it has greatly assisted on gender parity issues and ensured recognition of Persons with Disabilities (PWDS). The PC Co-ordinator, Mr Johana Chesire said it is through the full support of the administration including even the students’ leadership as was demonstrated by the newly elected students’ President, that the programme has become viable. “I Gibson Kiptoo in full realization of a high calling as the student’s President at Kaiboi Technical Training Institute, promise to be faithful servant, serving with total diligence and lead the institution as per the prescribed laws of the institute,” says the newly elected president. According to Mr. Chesire, all the participating leaders whether employed or elected have ensured team-work and dedication in implementing the program. He called upon other upcom-

he sends a copy to the coordinator and the entire team through WhatsApp and requests his team, which includes a secretary, to prepare a rough draft in guidance with the cycle and request for a pre-negotiation meeting. During the presentation, every committee gives their progress of

Information Communi achievements made,Information and targets in Studies the coming financial year whichStudies Computer are rated in quarterlyInformation basis Communi The Committee is tasked by government agencies such as Business Studies Dep NACADA, HIV/AIDS, EACC, and Ministry of Social Education to & Commun Work implement the activities assigned Diploma Accountancy during a financial year. Human Resource Mana Kaiboi Technical Training InBusiness Management stitute is located 50km from EldoSupply ret town in Nandi North, RiftChain Val- Managem ley Province. It is 22Cooperative Kms from the Managem Eldoret - Kapsabet main Highway Library & Information S from Mosoriot Town.Secretarial The instituteStudies is furnished with hi-tech CertengineerIn Human Resourc ing equipment that has boosted the quality of training. Cert In Supply Chain M Cert In Cooperative Ma Cert In Library & Inform Cert In Social Work and Secretarial Studies (Sin Accounting Technician

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EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

UNION POLITICS

Sossion’s resignation sealed allies’ fate Sossion’s resignation took by surprise candidates who were in his line-up and suffered a huge blow during the national elections since they were swept away by Oyuu’s wave. In one of the interviews with Education News Namisi had admitted that he was going for a seat that is vacant (National Chairman) and which traditionally is for Western region. He was working round the clock to ensure he had full support from the region before making any further declarations. His candidature faced opposition from some officials in Western region who vowed not to vote for him if by election day he was still be in Sossion’s camp. However, after Sossion announcing his resignation it is alleged that Namisi reverted to the second vice-National Chairman where he lost it to Mumias branch Executive Secretary John Wesonga. Namis’ decision of going for the second vice-National Chairman gave Patrick Karinga a walk over since he had no candidate hence be-

By Staff Reporter Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion’s resignation just hours to the national election dealt a blow to close allies in his line-up. It is believed that Sossion’s chances of retaining his seat during the union elections appeared slim after members from different regions rejected his bid, made him to resign from the helm of the union leadership after three years of leadership conflict within the union. While delivering his resignation speech at Windsor Hotel in Nairobi on June 25, 2021, none of the union officials were with him. His resignation gave Collins Oyuu a through way of landing on the most powerful Secretary General’s seat since he had no candidate to contest with. Oyuu at one point said he wanted to bring the union back to its original factory setting and was one of the major strong candidates who came out openly to face Sossion during the elections. Majority argued it out that could Sossion proceeded to the ballot, he could have been embarrassed by Oyuu, hence his decision of resigning just hours to the national elections to avoid embarrassment of being defeated by Oyuu. According to the union traditions and of which Oyuu’s team was keen to revert back, the slots of the National Chairman were left to Rift Valley, Western and Central. The Secretary General slots were left to Nairobi, Nyanza and Coast, while the National Treasurer slots were left to Eastern and Kisii Nyanza. Sossion’s resignation took by surprise candidates who were in his lineup and suffered a huge blow during the national elections since

Dan Aloo, Kilindini KNUT branch Executive Secretary. they were swept away by Oyuu’s wave. Key among them was Dan Aloo, the Kilindini branch Executive Secretary, who was vying for the position of first National Vice Chairman and a close ally of Sossion. Aloo lost the election to Kericho branch Executive Secretary Stanley Mutai who was in Oyuu’s line up which termed itself as Team Change. Mutai was elected in absentia since he was undergoing some medication, hence didn’t manage to attend. He was among the major critics of Sossion who at one point stated that they will support any formula that will send Sossion home and was fully aggressive to campaign for their team (Oyuu’s team) in the vote rich Rift Valley region. The team swept nearly all the seven seats allocated for Rift Valley region in the National Executive Council. Another victim was Bungoma East branch Executive Secretary Aggrey Namisi, who Sossion was fronting to face Patrick Karinga for the National Chairman position.

2021-2026

Mechanical Engineering Department Mechanical Engineering (Plant) Mechanical Engineering (Prod) Mechanical Engineering (Prod)

National Steering Steering MembersOfficials 1. National

No. Name 1 Patrick Karinga 2 Stanley Mutai 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14

Information Comm.Technology (ICT) Department Information Communication Technology Information Studies Computer Studies Library & Information Science Cert In Library & Information Science Information Communication Technology International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL)

Mechanical Engineeering (Prod.)

Duration

Module 2

Exam Body

2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 1 YR 2 Terms

Minimun Requirements

Intake Period

KNEC KCSE C (Minus) KNEC KCSE C (Minus) KNEC KCSE D (Plain) KNEC KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D(Minus);KCPE KNEC KNEC - Pass Dip in Mech Eng. Mod. 1 (Plant)

May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May

- Craft Cert in Mechanical Eng.

2 Terms

KNEC - Pass Dip in Mech Eng. Mod. 1 (Prod)

Automotive Engineering Agricultural Engineering Cert in Automotive Engineering Cert In Agricultural Engineering Agricultural Engineering Motor Vehicle Mechanics Driving Automotive Engineering

Diploma (Modular) Diploma (TEP) Craft (Modular) Craft (TEP) Artisan (TEP) Artisan (TEP) B, BC, C, DS Module 2

2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 1 YR 1 YR 1 Month 2 Terms

KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC NTSA KNEC -

KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE D Plain KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D- (Minus), KCPE KCSE D (Minus); KCPE Over 18 Years

Automotive Engineering

Module 3

2 Terms

KNEC

- in Dipl.Automotive Eng Mod.2 Pass

May

- Craft Cert in Mech Eng.

May/Sept Jan /May/Sept

May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept Continuous May

Pass in Dipl Automotive Eng Mod.1

Craft Cert in Automotive Eng

Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department

Duration

Exam Body

Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular)

2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS

KNEC KNEC

Electrical Installation Solar Water Heating System Electrical Wireman Solar PV Electrical installation (CBET)

Artisan (TEP) Trade Test Trade Test Trade Test Level 5

1 YR 2 Weeks 1 YR 2 Weeks 2 Terms

KNEC NITA NITA NITA

Building and Civil Department Building & Construction Technology Land Survey Land Survey Road Construction Technology Building and Construction Technology Plumbing and Building Services Building Technology Plumbing and Building Services

Agriculture & Environmental Studies General Agriculture General Agriculture Poultry Breeding & Hatchery Operations (CBET) Food and Beverage (Production, Sales and Service) General Agriculture

Information Comm.Technology (ICT) Department

TOWARDS A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE AND PROSPEROUS NATION

Course

Electrical & Electronics Engineering (Power) Electrical & Electronics Eng. (Controls and Instrumentation)

Course

Diploma (Modular) Diploma (TEP) Craft (TEP) Craft (TEP) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular) Artisan (TEP) Artisan Course

Diploma (Modular) Artisan (TEP) Craft (TEP) Level 5 Craft (Modular) Module 3 Course

Information Communication Technology Information Studies Computer Studies Library & Information Science Cert In Library & Information Science Information Communication Technology International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL)

Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular)

ICT Technician Information Communication Technology Information Communication Technology

Level 6 Mod 2 Mod 3

KTTI/CDACC

Duration

Exam Body

2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 1 YR 1 YRS Duration

2 ½ YRS 1 YR 2 YRS 1 YR 2 YRS 2 Terms Duration

2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 3 Months 3 Months 2 YR S 2 Terms 2 Terms

KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC

May

Minimun Requirements

Intake Period

KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE D Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Minus) or KCPE KCSE D (Minus ) or KCPE

May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept

Minimun Requirements

Intake Period

KNEC KNEC KNEC

KCSE C (Minus) KCSE D -(Minus), KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain)

Jan/May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept

KNEC KNEC - Pass in Dipl Gen. Agric Mod.2

Exam Body

KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC ICDL KTTI KTTI/CDACC

KNEC KNEC

kasneb Fully Accredited TVETA

ati onal Education Training Au thor it y Tec hnical and Voc

Fully Accredited

Intake Period

May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept KCSE D (Minus); KCPE May/Sept KCSE D (Plus) April/Aug/Dec KCSE D (Minus); KCPE May/Sept Jan/May/Sept KCSE D ( Plus) KCSE D (Plus) Jan/ May/Sept

Jan/ May/Sept

Minimun Requirements

KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C ( Minus) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Minus) F4 Cert KCSE C (Minus) Pass in Diploma in ICT Mod 1 Pass in Diploma in ICT Mod 2

Jan/Sept May/Sept

Intake Period

May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept Continuous Jan/May/Sept Jan/ May/Sept

May May

ICT Technician Information Communication Technology Information Communication Technology

Business Studies Department

KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus)

Exam Body

KTTI/CDACC

TOWARDS A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE AND PROSPEROUS NATION

bempowered

Welding and Fabrication Mechanical Engineeering (Plant)

Course

Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular) Artisan (TEP) Module 2

Food and Beverage (Production, Sales and Service) General Agriculture

State Department of Vocational and Technical Training

Mechanical Engineering (Plant) Mechanical Engineering (Prod) Mechanical Engineering (Prod)

Course

Duration

Exam Body

Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS New NEC Members Craft (Modular) 2 YRS Craft (Modular) 2 YRS Region No.1of Artisan (TEP) YR Module 2 2 Terms Members

Minimun Requirements

Intake Period

May/Sept KNEC KCSE C (Minus) KNEC KCSE C (Minus) May/Sept KNEC KCSE D (Plain) May/Sept KNEC KCSE D (Plain) May/Sept KCSEofficials’ D(Minus);KCPE Name May/Sept KNEC New KNEC - Pass Dip in Mech Eng. Mod. 1 (Plant) May

New NEC Members

No Welding and Fabrication Position Mechanical Region Engineeering (Plant) - Craft Cert in Mechanical Eng. National Chairman Central Allocated in Mechanical Engineeering (Prod.) Module 2 2 Terms KNEC - Pass Dip in Mech Eng. Mod. 1 (Prod) May NEC - Craft Cert in Mech Eng. 1st Vice National Rift Valley 1 Rift Valley 7 members 1. Joseph Malel Lang’at 2 ½ YRS KNEC KCSE C (Minus) May/Sept Diploma (Modular) Automotive Engineering Chairman Agricultural 2. Francis Bundotich Jan /May/Sept Engineering Diploma (TEP) 2 ½ YRS KNEC KCSE C (Minus) 3. Josphat Cert in Automotive Engineering 2 YRS KCSE D PlainSerem May/Sept Craft (Modular) KNEC John Wesonga 2nd Vice National Western 4. Richard Lentaaya May/Sept Cert In Agricultural Engineering Craft (TEP) 2 YRS KNEC KCSE D (Plain) 5.KCSE Sammy Kimtai Bor Chairman Agricultural Engineering May/Sept Artisan (TEP) 1 YR KNEC D- (Minus), KCPE 6.KCSE Alice Chepkoech May/Sept 1 YR D (Minus); KCPE Artisan (TEP) KNEC Motor Vehicle Mechanics Collins Oyuu Secretary General Nyanza 7.Over Dorcas Jacinta Kiptoo Continuous B, BC, C, DS 1 Month NTSA 18 Years Driving 2 Nyanza 5 members Owino in DiplOduor Automotive Eng Mod.1 May Automotive Engineering Module 2 2 Terms KNEC - 1.PassAlex Hesbon Otieno Deputy Secretary Nairobi Craft Cert Machuki in Automotive Eng 2. Lucy General Pass in Dipl.Automotive May Automotive Engineering Module 3 2 Terms KNEC - Calleb 3. OpondiEng Mod.2 4. Eunice Atieno Rosalia Mkanjalla Assistant Secretary Coast Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department Course Duration Exam Body Minimun Requirements Intake Period 5. Edward Olando Diploma (Modular) KNEC KCSEMilimo C (Minus) Electrical & Electronics Engineering (Power)3 General Western 4 members2 ½ YRS 1. Keneth Nganga May/Sept May/Sept Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS KNEC KCSE CMaurice (Minus) Electrical & Electronics Eng. (Controls and Instrumentation) 2. Challenga James Ndiku National Treasurer Eastern May/Sept 3. Omuse Fidelis Olakachuna Electrical Installation Artisan (TEP) 1 YR KNEC KCSE D (Minus); KCPE May/Sept (Lower) 4. Emily Mito Barasa Solar Water Heating System Trade Test 2 Weeks NITA KCSE D (Plus) April/Aug/Dec 4 Central 4 members 1. Michael Muna Electrical Wireman Trade Test 1 YR NITA KCSE D (Minus); KCPE May/Sept Ali Abdi Hussein Deputy National North 2. JohnKCSE Karanu Jan/May/Sept Trade Test 2 Weeks NITA D ( Plus) Solar PV 3. Alexzander Ngondi Treasurer Electrical Eastern installation (CBET) Level 5 2 Terms KTTI/CDACC KCSE D (Plus) Jan/ May/Sept 4. Ann Wairimu Kennedy Assistant National Kisii-Nyanza Building and Civil Department Course Duration Exam Body Minimun Requirements Intake Period 5 North Eastern 3 members 1. Kullow Sheikh Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS KNEC KCSE C (Minus) OdowaMay/Sept 2. Bashir Abddullahi Treasurer Building & Construction Technology Nyamwanda May/Sept Land Survey Diploma (TEP) 2 ½ YRS KNEC KCSEAli C (Minus) 3. Nasteha Mercy Kiambati 1st Woman Land Survey Eastern Craft (TEP) 4 members 2 YRS KNEC KCSEKasimba D Plain) Ngui May/Sept 6 Eastern 1. Michael Road Construction Technology Craft (TEP) 2 YRS KNEC KCSE D (Plain) May/Sept 2. Samuel Kathinuku Representative (Upper) Building and Construction Technology Craft (Modular) 2 YRS KNEC KCSE D (Plain) May/Sept 3. Julius Taitumu Services Craft (Modular) 2 YRS KNEC KCSE D (Plain) May/Sept Mercy Muthoni 2nd Woman Plumbing and Building Rift Valley 4. Liz Kithumba Muthui Building Technology Artisan (TEP) 1 YR KNEC KCSE D (Minus) or KCPE May/Sept 7 Coast 3 members 1. Bashir Kilalo Representative Ndung’u Plumbing and Building Services Artisan 1 YRS KNEC KCSE D (Minus ) or KCPE May/Sept 2. Warda Mohamed Bonvse Tenai National Trustee 1 & Rift Valley Studies 3. Ali Nganga Agriculture Environmental Course Duration Exam Body Minimun Requirements Intake Period 8 Nairobi 2 members Macharia Mugwe General Agriculture Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS KNEC 1. Danson KCSE C (Minus) Jan/May/Sept Albert Njeru National Trustee 2 Eastern General Agriculture Artisan (TEP) 1 YR KNEC 2. Jane KCSEAdhiambo D -(Minus), OchwedoMay/Sept KNEC Craft (TEP) 2 YRS KCSE D (Plain) May/Sept Nguma Fredrick National Trustee 3 Coast Poultry Breeding & Hatchery Operations (CBET) Level 5 1 YR KTTI/CDACC KCSE D (Plain) Jan/ May/Sept

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Mechanical Engineering Department

000 teachers across the country, Karinga lost his bid for the position of first National Vice-Chairman to Oyuu, a position that was occupied by Wycliffe Omucheyi. At that time Oyuu was the Assistant Secretary General while Karinga was Chairman Nyeri branch. Sources familiar to the union politics revealed to Education News that majority of the candidates who lost the elections were from Sossion’s camp. Could Sossion have proceeded to the ballot, some of his allies that Aggrey Namisi, Bungoma he was fronting could have won in East KNUT Executive Secvarious positions. retary. Those who lost the elections include Edwin Onyuka Okoth who ing elected unopposed. was seeking the Assistant SecreDuring the 2018 Annual Del- tary General seat that was won by egates Conference (ADC) held Rosalina Mkanjala (coast), Albert at Bomas of Kenya in December Onkoba Onsare who was seeking when the union used to enjoy over- the Assistant Treasurer seat which MINISTRY OF EDUCATION whelming membership of over 180, was won by Kennedy Nyamwanda. State Department of Vocational and Technical Training

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2 YRS 2 Terms

Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS Diploma (Modular) 2 ½ YRS Craft (Modular) 2 YRS Craft (Modular) 2 YRS 3 Months 3 Months Level 6 2 YR S Mod 2 2 Terms Mod 3 2 Terms Course

Diploma (Modular) Diploma (TEP) Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Diploma (TEP) Diploma (Modular) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular) Craft (Modular) Stage I, II &III Dipl. (Level I, II & III) Course

Exam Body

KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC ICDL KTTI KTTI/CDACC

KNEC KNEC

Duration

Exam Body

2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 ½ YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 2 YRS 6 Mnth @ Level Mnth @ Level

KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC KASNEB KASNEB

Duration

Exam Body

7 Sessions 7 Sessions 7 Sessions 7 Sessions 6 Mnth @ Level 2 ½ YRS 1 Month T1,T2 3 Weeks Diploma, Professional 2 Sessions

Jan/Sept May/Sept

Minimun Requirements

KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C ( Minus) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Minus) F4 Cert KCSE C (Minus)

Intake Period

May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept Continuous Jan/May/Sept Jan/ May/Sept

May May

Pass in Diploma in ICT Mod 1 Pass in Diploma in ICT Mod 2 Minimun Requirements

KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE C (Minus) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Plain) KCSE D (Minus) KCSE C ( Minus ) KCSE D (Plus) Minimun Requirement

KNEC KCSE C (Minus) KNEC KCSE C (Minus) KNEC KCSE C (Minus) KNEC KCSE C (Minus) KNEC KCSE D (Minus) ; KCPE KNEC KCSE C -(Minus) KTTI KCPE and Above NITA Basic training in Elect KASNEB As per KASNEB Requirements Mnth @ Level KASNEB KCSE D Plus P. O. Box 937- 30100 Eldoret Kenya, Web: www.kaiboitech.ac.ke, Email: kaiboi@kaiboitech.ac.ke +254 727937937/+254 734937937, Fax: +254 20 2029886

Diploma in Accountancy General Agriculture Human Resource Management Business Management Secretarial Studies Secretarial Studies Computer Systems Application Packages Solar Pv Training ATD, CPA

Diploma (TEP) Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Diploma (Modular) Stage I, II &III Diploma (Modular)

KNEC KCSE D (Plain) KNEC - Pass in Dipl Gen. Agric Mod.2

Duration

Intake Period

May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept May/Sept Jan/May/Sept Jan/May/Sept Intake Period

Aug/Dec Aug/Dec Aug/Dec Aug/Dec Jan/May/Sept

Aug/Dec April/Aug/Dec April/Aug/Dec

April/Aug April/Aug/Dec

P.O.Box 937-30100 Eldoret Kenya, Web: www.Kaiboitech.ac.ke, Email: Kaiboitech.ac.ke +254 727937937 / +254 734937937 , Fax +254 20 2029886

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

NEWS FEATURE

Shame as learners use bush toilets health officers to move with speed and build new latrines but my hands are tied because I need support from well-wishers,” he said. He said the last time the school received funding from NG-CDF was in 2016 from the late MP James Mukwe. Mr Wanyonyi also pointed out that Chebunyinyi had been performing poorly in national exams but improved this year when the A dilapidated pit latrine. first candidate scored over 300 marks. By Tony Wafula “No candidate had ever scored over 300 marks in KCPE over the upils at Chebunyinyi past seven years. I want to work ACK Primary School with parents and other stakeholdin Kabuchai constitu- ers to recover the lost glory of this ency Bungoma Coun- school,” he said. ty are using bush toilets because of The school received a commeninadequate pit latrines. dation certificate from the education Teachers at the school fear the open defecation could either cause a disease outbreak or that some of the more than 450 pupils could be bitten by snakes while relieving themselves in the bushes. Speaking to Education News at the school, head teacher Maurice Wanyonyi, said the school has only four latrines serving both the primary and secondary sections. He appealed to area MP Majimbo Kalasinga to help build new laMaurice Wanyonyi, Chetrines because public health officers bunyinyi ACK Primary have threatened to close the school. School head teacher. “I have been warned by public

office stating that it’s the most improved school in Bungoma Central after posting good results in KCPE. “ I’m asking parents and the community around the school to work together so that we can realize better results in future years,” he said. Public health officers have condemned the state of the school latrines and the kitchen as it risks the learners’ health. He said an old boy had started building an administration block at the school, but the project stalled due to Covid-19 pandemic and lack of funding. “ The alumnus was getting funding from abroad to facilitate the building of the administration block but the spike of Covid-19 pandemic made the donor withdraw. We therefore ask other well-wishers to chip in and help us finish this project,” Wanyonyi said. He said a road connecting Sikusi junction and the school is in a pathetic state and asked the Bungoma county government to improve it. Heavy rain in the area makes many learners fail to report to school on a daily basis due to poor road networks in the area and that causes poor performance in national exams. Deputy head teacher Pamela Biketi, who spoke to the media, appealed to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to help the school get more teachers. She asked well-wishers to help

Chebunyinyi Primary school pupils in class.

the school drill a borehole which will also supply water to the local community.

Teachers at the school fear the open defecation could either cause a disease outbreak or that some of the more than

450 pupils

Pamela Biketi, Chebunyinyi Primary School Deputy Head teacher. Photos/ Tony Wafula

could be bitten by snakes while relieving themselves in the bushes.

CENTRAL NEWS MURANGA

Teamwork is crucial for good grades

Ricahrd Ng’ang’a, Murang’a East Director For Education. Photo/ Kage Njoroge. By Kage Njoroge Stakeholders in the education sector have been asked to be actively involved in the formulation of strategies to enhance quality teaching and learning in Murang’a county. Murang’a East, sub county, Director of the education department Richard Ng’ang’a said the partners are crucial in management to improve delivery. He observed that performance standards in his region had grown due to measures put

in place by concerned players. Addressing a party organized to celebrate the 2020 KCPE and KCSE examination results, Ng’ang’a said team work among the stakeholders contributs to effective teaching. He said the sub county emerged the best in Murang’a as a result of efforts employed by parents and members of Boards of Management (BOMs) who provided support to motivate teachers and learners. Ng’ang’a added that close working efforts among parents, teachers and officers a created positive mindset that uplifted educational standards in the region. Capacity building and civic awareness meetings where parents were enlightened on their roles in education also brought positive changes in the sector. . That empowered the parents to participate in the implementation of curriculum to the benefit of the learners.

KIAMBU

Schools get titles to ward off grabbers By Felix wanderi Schools in Thika constituency are set to be issued with title deeds to ward off land grabbers. Thika MP Patrick Wainaina said that surveying of 50 percent of Thika schools’ land has been done and the exercise is ongoing to establish the actual acreage of the land. He said that the move to have the schools issued with title deeds was informed by the rampant encroachment and grabbing of land parcels belonging to public schools by unscrupulous and well-connected individuals. The MP noted that land grabbing cases in Thika constituency have reached alarming levels with public utilities including parcels set aside for schools, hospitals, social halls, recreational facilities and land belonging to squatters being targets for

the notorious grabbers. “I have reached out to the Ministry of Lands and Cabinet Secretary Faridah Karoney has agreed to have our schools issued with title deeds so as to protect their lands from being grabbed,” he said. In 2019, the lawmaker and his office thwarted attempts to grab a five-acre piece of land belonging to Kiboko Primary School in Thika town and a 22-acre parcel belonging to Mbagathi Secondary School in Kilimambogo, Thika East. Some unknown individuals who had allegedly acquired the land through crooked means had already subdivided and planted beacons on the schools’ land and were planning to develop the parcels. He noted that lack of title deeds has exposed many public institutions to land grabbing by the corrupt individuals.

NYERI

Well-wisher, parents partner to renovate Kieni schools By Asa Maina A Nyeri businessman has urged parents, teachers and school management boards to complement the government’s efforts of refurbishing schools in the vast Kieni constituency in Nyeri County. Nyeri businessman

Nyeri businessman Njoroge Wainaina. Photo/Asa Maina Njoroge Wainaina said this will help speed up infrastructure improvement in dilapi-

dated schools in the constituency and improve education standards. Kieni, which is 52 percent of Nyeri county landmass, has the biggest number of dilapidated schools in the county. Wainaina said the improvement of the learning environment will greatly motivate learners and teachers to work hard and record good performance. “Quality education is key to the economic, social and political development of the region,” he said. The businessman spoke at Chaka primary school in Kieni when he officially handed over a grade one classroom he had helped to renovate. “We have partnered with parents to rehabilitate this classroom that was not in use though the school has a high number of pupils and does not have enough space,” he said.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS time and also installed 12 tonnes water tanks with a volume of 10,000 litres for water harvesting which are connected to the tuition and boarding sections.The drilling of water borehole is ongoing courtesy of Konoin NG-CDF under leadership of area MP Hon Brighton Yegon and Kapset tea factory has continiously supported the school in water supply during dry season. The Principal managed to grow students’ number from 791 in 2018 to the current population with trust emanating from parents, teachers and students. “We sorted out issues of

Julius Rotich, Principal

cows. They have began constructing a 672 capacity dormitory for all students with the help of Ministry of Education (M.I) programme. The seven streamed institution has two deputies Mr Gilbert Bor for administration and Mr Timothy Koech for academics who work closely with others to bring out the best from students. “I have two deputies who are my foot soldiers and school pillars and when you glow with such good people of pure intentions in life, then everything becomes simple,” boasts principal. Teachers and essential staff

Development (TPAD) tool and work plan. The introduction of biometric data ensures teachers clock in and out and embark on lesson attendance to reduce absenteeism and improve accountability. With that in place lessons coverage is rated at above 97% , aided by regular meetings among teaching staff and extra learning activities. Concentration is given to sciences and every Thursday is planned for chemistry lesson. There are fortnight contests in all subjects while Math tests are done daily in all classes, with

Samwel Sang, BOM chairman.

By Leonard Angatia

imulot High is an extra county boys’ school in Konoin, Bomet County nestled in a serene environment that is conducive for studies. The school has enough infrastructure that has always been capable and ready to accommodate over a thousand students. With a student population of 1032, the school performed well in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams with a mean score of 6.3551 That was an improvement from 5.8253 of 2019, enabling 103 students to qualify for university degree courses out of the 276 candidates registered. “Patience as a virtue among the stakeholders who appreciate every effort made has created a paradigm shift towards excellence,” says School Principal Julius Rotich. He joined the school from Meteitei Boys in 2018 and installed CCTV cameras in two months’

David Chepkwony, PA Chairman.

Kimulot High registers improved KCSE performance, boosts facilities

Mr Bor Gilbert, Deputy Principal in charge of Administration.

Mr Koech Timothy, Deputy Principal in charge of Academics.

discipline, drugs and substance abuse through counseling and with the help of CCTV cameras. He works with a team of two deputies, heads of departments, dorm masters, a guiding and counseling team and student leadership in running the school. There is also motivation of Members of Student Council (MSC) who meet regularly with the principal and his deputies to deliberate on the daily running of the school. “We constructed two classes in 2018 using school savings and proceeds from tea farming and then laid tiles in all the 15 classes and worked on pavements in 2019,” added principal. They now intends to construct sheds on those pavements to protect students from rain when they are walking to different sections of the school. A perfectionist, the principal introduced dairy farming in October last year and they now produce 36 litres of milk used for making tea for students and he plans to buy four more

Patience as a virtue among the stakeholders who appreciate every effort made has created a paradigm shift towards excellence. -Julius Rotich.

have been supportive in realization of the school dream and vison. Early syllabus coverage is an old norm and the principal now insists on professional documentation among teachers on how to cover topic outlines using schemes such as the Teacher Performance and Appraisal and

another Mathematics hour also done every Sunday. The introduction of Kimz news on parade every Monday which began last year has improved spoken language. The school has 31 TSC teachers, 13 employed by the Board of Management (BoM)

who have helped the school to perform well. It also does well in co curriculum activities especially indoor games and went up to regional level while the Rugby and football teams reached the county level. Finally, the school is founded on the principles of strong christian values under the sponsorship of Kimulot AIC Church. The school has prayers on every wednesday and Sunday. So, with the help of God they believe and trust that the set target of 7.39 will be achieved in 2021 KCSE

Kimulot High school teaching staff.

Administration block.

672 student capacity dormitory put up by the help of Ministry of Education (M.I) programme.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

BEHIND THE CURTAINS

2002 he was the Deputy Principal at Isena Mixed Secondary School in Kisii County.

Land was donated and a church compound used for the establishment of the proposed Isena Mission Girls Secondary School.

Meet Nyang’acha, man who served as head at girl’s school By Erick Nyayiera It is the norm that almost all girls schools in the country are run by female head teachers but Ugenya Boys High School Senior Principal Clement Nyang’acha has challenged the established order in his long teaching career. It happened in 2002 when he was the Deputy Principal at Isena Mixed Secondary School in Kisii County, when the local community noticed his good work in helping his Principal initiate rich academic programmes. The mixed school was performing very well in academics, making the community come up with the idea of establishing a girls secondary school. To realize the idea, they insisted that he was best placed to steer the initiative of establishing the school that would take care of the education needs of the many girls from the region who travelled long distances to look for schools. So the community through their leaders including the Isena Mixed Secondary School Board Chairman donated land and a church compound for the establishment of the proposed Isena Mission Girls Secondary School. He says the 20 months that he served as the Deputy of Isena Mixed Secondary School was so pivotal because he ensured good academic programmes were in place. “I wanted the girls too to be in

Senior Principal Nyang’acha.

Clement

school and I didn’t condone issues of teenage pregnancies and the girls dropping out of school and also made sure that the girls performed just well as the boys,” states Nyang’acha. After all processes had been followed, the Ministry of Education okayed the establishment of the school and he was posted to be the Principal of the girls school. “I reported and began from rickety church structures which had a dilapidated hall and a kitchen which was turned into my office,” he recounts, adding that he started from scratch when eight students joined Form 1 in 2004. By the end of the year the school had registered 60 students across all

classes to form four helping him to save over Sh200,000 from the small population to built a laboratory. They also received Sh130,000 from a fundraiser, as the girls continued studying from the church in partitioned corridors. Nyang’acha’s stint as Mr. “Headmistress” would see him rescue girls who had fallen prey to predators, in one instance tracking a school girl to Nairobi where he managed to arrest the culprit who was later jailed. He carried out key infrastructural developments and improved academic performance during his seven year stay at the school and left when the population had increased to 220 girls. They included 150 boarders and over 70 girls who are day scholars before a substantive female Principal was posted to the school in 2007. He would later move to Rigena Mixed Secondary where he did good

Isena PAG Church kitchen that served as the ‘Headmistress’ office.

work before heading to Sameta High and then Ugenya Boys High School.. At Ugenya, his daily routine begins at 3:00 am when he conducts early morning lessons before embarking on administrative duties at dawn to ensure students are ready for breakfast. As the students head for breakfast, he moves to his office ready for the ever busy administrative schedule that would take up the rest of his day. His proven leadership track record has seen him create meaningful and positive impact in all his former stations. Nyang’acha was posted to Ugenya, a County school in 2018 that had just been started in 2010 by the then Ugenya MP James Orengo, who is now serving as the Senator. Since taking over, Nyang’acha has steered the school into one of the best performing institutions in Siaya County and the entire Nyanza Region in successive Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams results. He had earlier served as the Senior Principal of Sameta High School, an established Extra-County school in Kisii County, where he improved its discipline record. “The school had witnessed cases of arson attacks that saw the student numbers reduce tremendously but I changed it to a school of choice in the Kisii County that performed well through my open-door policy management approach,” he explained

He says TSC made an error when they transferred him to Ugenya High School, which appeared to be a demotion because he was already a Senior Principal from 2011 and was supposed to be moved to another Extra- County. But unlike his colleagues who also got erroneous transfers and camped at the Commission headquarters to complain and were later reassigned to new stations, he headed straight to his new station and faced the challenges head on. “Today the school is a success story and our hard work has enabled it to be upgraded to Extra-County status,” Nyang’acha stated, adding that he operates an open door policy which makes him address issues properly and give satisfying solutions.

Some of the students of Isena PAG Church school at the time.

NEWS FEATURE

The 15-year wait to join university By Andanje Wakhungu

student who scored grade B in the 2006 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams is still hoping that he will be admitted to university. Sunday Mulombi opened up for the first time on the predicament that has hindered him joining university for many years. The 31-year-old soft spoken man has seen all that cruelty life can push one into but continues to harbour hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. He is currently a jack of all trades in his village and it pains him that some of his close relatives and nighbours gossip about his wasted good exam grades. They, however, assign him to do for then odd jobs ranging from cultivating sugarcane, maize, cane harvesting and constructing structures. “I do these jobs not because I like it, but as the only available option for me because I fend for my mother, myself as my brother who is a Boda boda rider also helps to put food on the table,” he says. Mulombi sat his 2006 examination at Friends Mugai Secondary School in Malava sub county. He emerged as the best student but could not get financial support to join university and his effort of

getting sponsorship has been futile. “I still aspire to study Building and Construction Engineering at any university that is offering such a course and I appeal to any well-wishers to assist and then I will repay them when I secure a job, “ says Mulombi.

He left home after failing to get necessary assistance from the then area MP the late Soita Shitanda and some close relatives and found himself in Mombasa in 2012. Mulombi got a casual job through the help of some friends at a confectionary company which ended after some t i m e , forcing him to work at a

building site. He then moved to Export Processing Zone (EPZ) factories before the outbreak of Covid-19 forced most companies to lay off staffs, forcing him to return home and start a fresh. “I tried to engage my MP Soita Shitanda many times but he always kept telling me to repeat form four,” he said. Even some of the relatives who are in a position to assist him have always been elusive. only giving him a lot of empty promises that never materialized. His father died in 2005 and it took a lot of sacrifice from his mother who is a housewife to pay for his school fees for two years. “His death destabilized the family and we are now a laughing stock as I know, had he been alive I could not be here working for the villag-

ers,” he explains. Mulombi says sometimes the villagers do even pay him fully as agreed after finishing their errands and instead ridicule him over why he went to school to score a B and now cultivates their shambas. “I’m hoping that someone out there will hear my plea and come to my rescue as I really want to prove my critics wrong that I’m an educated failure and assure them that God’s time will come,” he says.. The passion to continue with his education is still strong despite staying out of class for years and he promises that given the chance he will excel in his studies at the university. “I know that the current MP Malulu Injendi has the CDF kitty and the County government has bursaries and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) can assist and so they should please consider me,” he pleads. He is not ready to start a family just yet because he does not have the means, but he is confident that he will accomplish his dream and God will provide the right partner for him. Mulombi can be reached through mobile phone number 0716748833

I still aspire to study Building and Construction Engineering at any university that is offering such a course and I appeal to any well-wishers to assist and then I will repay them when I secure a job - Mulombi.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Collective responsibility makes Nanyuki School the best Oliver Minishi, Chief Principal.

By Leonard Angatia

anyuki School is the only boys’ national school in Laikipia County providing excellent academic results using collective responsibility. The school offers excellent teaching and unique opportunities that help students achieve exceptional grades and develop strong values and ambitions. “Our teaching approach enables every student to reach high levels of academic and social success”, said the school Chief Principal Oliver Minishi. Nanyuki school current enrollment stands at 966 students, 45 teachers and 29 subordinate staff. It offers 18 examinable subjects English, Kiswahili, French, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Christian Religious studies, History, Geography, Islamic Religious Education, Aviation, Agriculture, Computer studies, Electricity, Music, Business studies and Wood work. However, the school is making preparations for the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) pathways by having technical subjects like Aviation, computer studies, Electricity, Music and Wood work. Incidentally, the pioneer Avaiation class of 2020 posted an impressive 10.059 in the KCSE. There are plans

to start Art and Design, Building and Construction and Home Science; it is due to these strong foundations, that the school has been picked to be model centre for the CBC. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean score improved with a positive deviation of 0.854 with 165 students joining university out of the class of 186. Minishi said that when he joined the school in 2018 from Kakamega High, he introduced 4 schools in one. Meaning form one is a school on its own with a principal and deputy. Same applies to forms 2-4, Dr. Julius Jwan (third right) poses for a photo with, among others the school’s BOM with shared parade on Mondays and chairman Robert Mburu (centre) during the commissioning of library phase 1 and 2 individual form parades on fridays. on 11th June 2021. There is a programme that empowers students to own their doing well at national categories. available at Nanyuki School. The school has challenges knowledge through strategic “Books alone without games Veteran principal is a gifted of inadequate teachers’ houses, planning and research. makes Jack a dull boy,” re- phrased renowned script writer and has hazardous asbestos roofing on many They work independently and the principal. won drama competitions the most buildings and unreliable water for put in extra time in research and Philanthropist Minishi is a times in the Kenyan history and has the school farm which is envisioned make presentations which have playwright, Maths and Physics written more than 40 plays some to attain self-sufficiency in food and gradually improved performance. teacher whose Midas touch was felt converted to films besides being a a surplus for income generation. A charismatic principal, the in less than two years making the trained science teacher and author They also request support to equip school under his tutelage, has premier institution one of the most of physics books used in secondary workshops in order to fulfill the achieved excellence in both co- sought after by candidates who sat school syllabus. CBC. curriculum activities and academics. for KCPE examinations in 2020. With a lot of room for The Ministry of Education gave He shifted same philosophy The school had a total of 154,524 improvement, they have a set Sh15 million towards construction employed at Kakamega High applicants fighting for 384 slots target mean of 10.0 and this will be of a library which has been spent on school where he left the school achieved through theatre acting and building the ground floor and second a powerhouse in both sports and academic forums. floor to partial completion. academics. “Many parents have confidence They need at least Sh1.5 million In 2019, Nanyuki school and faith in me because I have to put it to completion. They have participated in Drama and went up demonstrated abilities in many shortage of classrooms and hostels to Nationals. The school scooped schools that I have taught and that’s especially with the 100 per cent position 1 overall. why they feel endowed with their transition, they anticipate to receive In rugby they went up to children at my expense,” revealed more students thus need more regionals in same year both in 15/7 Minishi. funding for expansion. a side something that had never been students joining experienced before. university out of Music, Hockey, Basketball, the class of 186. Handball, Volleyball, Soccer and Athletics have been revived and

165

In 2019, Nanyuki school participated in Drama and went up to Nationals scooping position 1 in French solo verse and play.

Administration block.

PS Dr. Julius Jwan signs the visitors’ book as Chief Principal Oliver Minishi looks on during the commissioning of library phase 1 and 2 on 11th June 2021.

Main entrance to the school.

Tuition block.

KCSE ANALYSIS TABLE

YEAR

ENTRY

A-

B+

2020 2019

186 187

ʹ ͳ

ʹͲ Ͷ͸ ͳͶ ʹͶ

B-

C+

Ͷ͵ ʹͺ ʹ͸ ͵ͷ ʹͻ ͵͹

C-

D+

ͳͶ ͸ ͳ ʹͶ ͳ͸ ͹

Newly constructed library.

D-

Ͳ Ͳ

MEAN GRADE 8.683 7.829

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

St. Albert’s Ulanda Girls sustains its winning streak

Mrs. Phinorah Buyengo, Principal.

By Norah Musega

t. Albert’s Ulanda Girls High School is ranked among the top performing girls schools in the country after it attained a mean of 8.53 in 2020 KCSE. Under the leadership of Mrs. Phinorah Buyengo, it has in the recent past maintained an upward trend in its performance and infrastructural development creating a conducive learning environment for its students and working atmosphere for both teaching and non-teaching staff at the institution. Buyengo who took over the management of the school in 2019 says it is through God’s grace that the institution has made it to the top with the supportive input from parents to academic programmes, hence motivating learners and teachers even to sacrifice more for better results. The Catholic sponsored school traces success to Christian values and depends on the church for spiritual nourishment under the leadership of parish priest. Buyengo lauds the support of Education Parish Priest Father Ayub Aduda, school Chaplain Brother Daniel Ouma and

staff Chaplain Mr. George Achola. “The secret of success is prayer and smart work with laid structures which must be adhered to. There

Michael Okiro, Director Of Studies.

Fredrick Ombim, Exam Officer.

is no turning back and Ulanda will not be the same,” she said. “We embrace the fear

School gate.

and faith in God as we strive to produce an allround girl-child able to adjust and survive in the ever changing world,” stated Buyengo. “Given girls, we give out ladies of substance as ambassadors of Ulanda.” she added. Buyengo also applauded candidates, teachers, parents and other education stakeholders for the good results witnessed in the 2020 KCSE saying it wasn’t an easy task to achieve it but through God’s intervention and teamwork they have managed to send 529 candidates to the university out of a candidature of 546 registering 96.89 per cent transition to university. “We first aim at inculcating the spirit of excellence change of attitude and the fear of God is the core and foundation of success. We have a sympathy kitty under the Ulanda family welfare that helps in school fees payment and shopping for identified vulnerable students in the school as a way of ensuring they are able to acquire equal opportunities at school for fair competition,” she noted. The principal also noted that Ulanda School is a home and family that reaches out to the community and other schools from primary, secondary and to colleges in the belief that they are created to create and mentor others. “We are grateful to Britam Insurance Company who came through and built a new modern dormitory in the school and the MOE for its support towarrds infrasstructural development,” noted Buyengo. PRINCIPALS’ VISION -Vision to make Ulanda realize the core value of a God fearing school under the direction of a St. Albert the great the doctor of the church. -Create an environment able to provide academic empowerment for holistic learning and to make Ulanda a hub of integrity. -Produce a holistic girl-child to fit in

YEAR A 0 2020 0 2019

A19 3

B+ 61 16

B 211 39

Mr Tom Ogolla, Deputy Academics.

the ever changing society where God and education is paramount for transformational achievements insociety. -Create an innovative and creative new Ulanda and a school of choice with all softwares for progressive growth. -Create a visionary family with room for choice, chance, and change consistently. -Build and adjust on the modern infrastructure yet with uncomfortable zone to make human resource to fight for future. -Making Ulanda an agent of hope for the future where they travel in the students hearts with a slogan of excellence in a triangle formula

Tuition Block.

with God at the top and the student besides a committed teacher and a supportive parent. -To have a theory moving school that has a strategic implemented ideas geared towards creating a virtual school where everybody has a value added to his/her name, “we address each other with an excellence tag for instance teacher or parents of excellence” she explained. -The vision to empower support staff through education of their children and home making for a passionate perceiving of a school. Mrs. Evaline Onyango, he Deputy Principal (administration) said under the stewardship of Mrs. Buyengo, the school is destined for greater heights after the principal had shown good leadership techniques that have created an environment where the students are free to express themselves for the administration to address some of the challenges arising through class and house assemblies. “We have meetings of different days of the week

Beatrice Odoyo, HOD Languages.

Asernath Othoo, HOD Technicals And Applied Subjects. B171 68

Ms Eveline Onyango, Deputy Administration.

KCSE ANALYSIS TABLE

C+ 67 128

C 13 114

C2 76

D+ 0 28

D 0 4

D0 0

E 0 0

X 2 0

ranging from class meetings to house/ dormitory meetings and to form meetings since we realized it’s the best way of

To next page...

Joshua Akoth, HOD Mathematics.

Alex Amayo, HOD Clubs And Societies. ENTRY MEAN DEVIATION 546 8.5349 1.871 476 6.6639 1.5288

EDUCATION NEWS

...from previous page

Mr. Muchumbe Alfred-2020 Class Coordinator.

addressing challenges faced by our learners owing to the large population at the school”, said Onyango. “To achieve all these it’s through the assistance of our dedicated team of teaching and non- teaching staff at the school. We are not only teachers but also passionate parents who strive to ensure our learners are comfortable and their needs are well articulated,” explains

Onyango. With a population of above 2300, the administration is up to task to ensure discipline is the first virtue instilled in their learners through the help of prefects’ body in the school. According to the deputy in charge of administration, the prefects are motivated through tours and empowerment through motivational talks on leadership skills. “We have entertainment hours on Sundays to help the students ventilate by exhibiting their different

Pamela Orwa, HOD Sciences.

talents,” she said. Through stressing on STEM related subjects , the school has been performing exemplarily well in the science fair exhibitions and through this the school can comfortably purify water from its own purification plant within the school compound Mr. Jared Maraba, thus cutting down on costs. Onyango also noted 2020 Class Coordinator.

Section of the newly constructed dormitory by Britam Insurance Company.

that in the achievements the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Education has equally played a role through staffing and funding for infrastructural development in the school. Mr. Tom Ogolla , the deputy in charge of Academics said the results are a great achievement since tthe candidates met the targeted mean score. He noted that the effort put by teachers to prepare candidates for the national exams was immense, adding that their main goal is to soldier on to 9.5 mean score in 2021 KCSE. “We have several joint exams with schools like Vihiga, Chavakali, Kisumu Boys, Nanyuki among others which enables us assess our candidates on basis of preparedness for the national exams. The girls are disciplined hence ease time to focus on more academic programmes and goals,” he added.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

Mrs. Phinorah Buyengo, Principal and students exhibit water purified at the school’s facility.

Theme: maths is our daily bread, language is pride, humanity is in Ulanda, technicals our pride and unity is strength. 2020- Winners 2021- Team number one 2022- Destiny changers 2023- Grand matchers 2024 (yet to join form one)-Super eagles. “We are proud to have hit the target by 8.53 and this wasn’t a walk in the park but we earned it through dedication and positive attitude by the candidates. Through this 529 candidates

Benard Oduong, HOD Careers.

have qualified to join the university to take different courses and we wish them well”, he added. The Director of Studies (DOS) at the school, Mr. Michael Okiro noted that the time at which candidates across the country resumed learning after seven months COVID-19 holiday break created more room for reteaching and horizontal teaching. It created time for teachers and candidates and this enhanced more time for the candidates to catch up where necessary in readiness for the national exams. Okiro noted they have programmes that envision the way ahead. “Core strength and confidence of the candidates comes from early and timely syllabus coverage,” said Okiro. He noted that the school through assistance of the administration has also been bringing in experienced and qualified motivational

speakers and experts in different subjects offered at the institution to help motivate and guide their learners. The exam officer Mr. Fredrick Ombim told Education News that a mean of 8.5 was set with implementation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programmes for candidates where they were fully engaged during the COVID-19 holiday. Ombim noted that the school also has academic

Linet Asuma, HOD Kiswahili.

families for parenting, tagging of top students with academic friends, abrupt principle exams that are incognito to create preparedness across the board and peer teaching for broken units as some of the techniques used to enhance results.

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Sivilie Mixed emerges top school in Navakholo

Principal, Isaac Mpalwe Wandera. By Leonard Angatia A mixed day and boarding school located in Navakholo sub county, Kakamega county is celebrating the stellar performance it exhibited in

Mr Andrew Ndombi, Deputy in charge of Academics.

the 2020 Kenya Certificate of testing. majority of teaching staff TSC should also post Secondary Education (KCSE) T h e passed through the school more teachers to the school exam. Principal who and were posted back after in order to save it from huge They increased its mean joined the school training which strengthen wedge bill directed towards score by posting 6.437 from on 11th January, the students’ bond and BoM teachers whom the 5.971 in 2019, with a positive 2021 said every motivate them to the core. school spends over 200,000/= deviation of 0.466. stakeholder is Sivilie like any per month. It emerged in position concerned about other school in Kenya Navakholo Constituency one in the sub county with a the school’s is requesting for support Development funds (CDFcandidature of 174, a total of welfare and because it has inadequate NG) office has also been 81 managing to score C+ and parents are also Administration and Tuition Block infrastructure of urged to consider assisting put up by the Kakamega County above and qualified for direct supportive only classrooms, lack of enough by paying bursaries for needy Government. university slots. that the majority desks and few latrines for students because the school is The school has student are unable to pay students. struggling. “Everyone is focused population of 1317 taught by fees because of poverty. and the emphasis is put 21 employed by the Teachers He promised to improve on academics. Despite the Service Commission (TSC) on both the performance myriad of challenges, students and a similar number hired and students population and convert that into positivity under Board of Managment expects that in years to come, and hence work hard to uplift terms. the school will be among top their families livelihood. No “Intrinsic motivation 100 best performing schools wonder the school performed among teachers and in the country. better,” shared Wandera. supporting staff has seen The school is registered wonderful performance in under the sub county category school and this is the tradition with six streams and has Sivilie teachers led by Principal Isaac that helps learners to work two deputy headteachers, Wandera on the left followed by Deputy in harder,” said Principal Isaac Mr Andrew Ndombi who charge of Academics Andrew Ndombi. Mpalwe Wandera. is in charge of academics He however, lamented and Mr Moses Ingubu for that they need more teachers, administration. since the school has more Thorough and constant student population to meet the guiding and counseling Competency Based Education sessions by the Friends (CBE) requirements. Quakers chaplain Aeneah He attributed the success Wamae helps in discipline and to students’ commitment Moses Shiasha Ingubu, spiritual growth. and discipline, early syllabus Another motivational Deputy in charge of coverage and frequent exam Students in class. aspect for excellence is that Administration.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

NYANZA MIGORI

SIAYA

Support new KNUT leaders, teachers told elected leadership of the Kenya National Union of Teachers The Kenya National Union (KNUT) to work of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary closely with the govGeneral Collins Oyuu has asked ernment to revive the teachers to have confidence in union. the new leadership of the union. The Rarieda He assured them of the branch Executive team’s commitment to bringing Secretary Willis back all members and reviving Odhach Achola said the union to reclaim its lost teachers want the glory. new Secretary Gen“We have already begun eral and his entire the journey of getting back Former SG Wilson Sossion and his successor national office to recthose who may have got out of Collins Oyuu at a past ceremony in Bondo. ognize and work with the union due to one reason or the government in adthe other,” he said. dressing the plight of Oyuu said they are already The Secretary General issued a the Kenyan teachers. in talks with the Teachers Service stern warning to the KNUT members KNUT Rarieda branch chairCommission (TSC) to bring back all and officials who are fond of tarnishman David Okwama Madao exuded their members. ing the image of the union through confidence in the new leadership. “We want to work under a new social media platforms. The teachers spoke at Oyuu’s principle of uniting all the Kenyan The KNUT Secretary General home in Rarieda to celebrate his victeachers,” he said. lamented the union had in the past He was speaking during the buri- been destroyed by a community of tory where KNUT Bondo branch chairman Isaiah Oulo thanked the al of KNUT Bondo branch Execu- bloggers. Kenyan teachers for having confitive Secretary Gilbert Ndolo Owuor He warned that any union of- dence in him. in Bondo sub-county. ficials who are bloggers must now “The support that Oyuu got from The KNUT boss said that they ensure they do it sensibly or alternawant to roll out a difference under tively quit the union posts because the Kenyan teachers and was was their new leadership and ensure that KNUT is a professional body that elected unopposed as the new Secall the structures of the union are re- cannot condone any form of disre- retary General of KNUT cannot be taken for granted,” said Oulo. spected from the grassroots level. spect to its leadership. “We will always give an ear to Meanwhile Teachers in Siaya all their opinions in terms of resolu- County have challenged the newly tions and giving directions,” he said.

Magoha slammed over ban on use of school buses

By Erick Nyayiera

KISUMU

Raila’s school to recapture past glory By Fredrick Odiero Kisumu Union Primary School in the lake side town of Kisumu prides itself as one of the oldest learning intuitions in the region, having been founded over 100 years ago. Among the big names that went through the school are famous politicians like former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga and his brother Dr. Oburu Oginga. Others are Dr. Frank Okuthe, Prof. George Kokwaro a former pupil in 1940’s, Prof. Khama Rago, Prof. Larry Gumbe, Dr. Eric Nyanjom and Dr. David Olima Onyango who is now a surgeon. Others include Dr. George Otieno Rae, Dr. Hezron Oranga, Doris Ombara and Dr. Maria Gumbe, who was the

Mr Erick Nyambok, Head teacher Kisumu Union primary school. Photo/Fredrick Odiero

1st old girl from Kisumu union to join university among many others. The current head teacher, Mr Eric Nyambok says Kisumu Union today has a student population of over 372. Started by a Church Missionary Society priest Reverend Reuben Omulo fondly called ‘Komulo’ it was first named after him before its name was changed to Kisumu Union Primary School. Komulo St Stephen Cathedral in founded the Kisumu which previously school in 1918, housed Komulo school. Photo then situated at Fredrick Odiero

the St. Stephen Cathedral Church that was also at the time known as Komulo by local people. “It was the first African protestant school in Kisumu which was catering for the educational needs of the growing numbers of African protestant children in the region,” says Nyambok. Rev. Omulo played a dual role-preaching and classroom teaching, thus inspiring young minds to acquire education. It was later elevated to a premier school by the Alliance of Protestant churches in 1954, thus becoming an elite’s African children protestant school to cater for the ever increasing protestant children yearning for education. It was in that year 1954 that various protestant schools were merged to create Kisumu Union School. Pupils and teachers from the Salvation Army School were also transferred to Kisumu Union School after the colonial administration dissolved the former.

By Norah Musega

Migori Senator Ochilo Ayako has scoffed at the ban imposed by Education CS Prof. George Magoha on the use of public school buses by the general public. He said the ban will hinder the generation of extra income that is necessary for school management which use the money to hire more teachers and also pay non- teaching staff.

Hon. Ochillo Ayako, Migori County Senator. Photo/Norah Musega

KISII

Nyanchwa lacks facilities for its large numbers By Our Reporter

Nyanchwa Girls High School in Kisii County is working on an ambitious programme to improve and expand infrastructure facilities to meet the

swelling number of students. The large number of students has forced the school administration to increase streams at the extra-county school to three per class.

St Elizabeth Lureko Girls elevated to county status

Principal, Mrs. Everlyne Chebukati Bukhuni. By Richard Shichangi

t Elizabeth Lureko, a fast growing school in Mumias West, has recorded improved performance in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education by registering an improved mean score of 4.87 The school principal, Mrs Everlyne Chebukati Bukhuni said that the school has also improved on its infrastructure so as to provide a conducive learning environment for quality teaching. The head added that the school had also improved on the quality grades where more than 9 candidates out of 65 attained the minimum university entry of C+. She said that this year they have set the target to 5.5. She noted that Lureko Girls was ranked as the second best girls school in the

sub county while the school has also been elevated to county status which she said has given them a platform to improve on infrastructure to match the new upgrade while working hard to improve on their academics. The principal noted that school has also acquired a new bus which will assist the girls during academic trips. She said that the school has so far put up three dormitories with a capacity of 120 students each to boost their boarding section which she noted as wanting. The principal also hinted that she is currently working on the kitchen upgrade while landscaping the school to

School bus.

inspire the girls’ cleanliness, hygiene and morale for effective learning in and out of class. The principal has put up a modern gate and repainted the school for a face lift. The Catholic-sponsored school running both day and boarding with more than 500 students has its priorities in place. The head observed that all stakeholders including parents, teachers, politicians, students and the church are working tirelessly to ensure that projects are implemented within the set time-frame. She said that the school management team led by the BOM chair, Rev. Fr. Evans Songai is up to the task to ensure that Lureko Girls move to the next level in academics and infrastructural development. The principal however said that they still have challenges like lack of adequate teachers and infrastructure such as dining halls, classrooms and more dormitories to cater for the ever soaring population.

School gate.

EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 16 - AUG 2, 2021

COAST TAITA TAVETA

TANA RIVER

Schools with low enrolment risk closure By Collins Akong’o Mwambolembole Primary Primary School that was started in 1943 now risks being closed because it has the lowest number of learners in Taita Taveta County. According to the school head teacher Johnson Mwadime, the enrolment has reduced from 67 pupils in 2014 to the current 39. He attributed the situation to the increasing school dropout rate caused by drug abuse among students. “Currently we have nine KCPE candidates, three pupils in class seven pupils while classes 6, 5 and 4 have six, four and three pupils respectively. He added that they also have five pupils in grade three, six in grade two and three in grade one. Mwambolembole Primary

Poverty stricken community has also contributed to the dwindling enrolment -Johnson Mwadime Increasing school dropout rate caused by drug abuse among students. -Alphone Mwanyika has seven teachers posted by TSC and two teachers employed by the school’s board of management. The head teacher revealed that due to overwhelming challenges, the school lacks good infrastructure, teaching materials and a playing ground. The school does not get any Constituency Development

Lamu requires 1,000 more teachers Mr Ibrahim Shaibu, Lamu County KNUT Executive Secretary. By Tsozungu Kombe The Lamu KNUT Executive Secretary Ibrahim Shaibu has said the County requires 1,000 more teachers to end understaffing. He told Education News that teachers in the county are currently overworked due to the shortage of teachers. “The government should recruit more teachers and deploy them to the county to enhance effective teaching and learning,” he added.

Funds (CDF) money for renovation of classes due to its low enrollment. The deputy head teacher Alphone Mwanyika said the poverty stricken community has also contributed to the dwindling enrolment. “Only 25 parents have brought their children to school and yet we receive very little allocation from the Ministry of Education under free primary education programme which forces us to ask for assistance from parents,” he said. “The number of learners in the school have been reducing as the years go by and right now I only have three pupils,” said Esther Makumbo, a teacher at the school. She expressed fears that the school might be heading to closure due to the continuing dropout rate.

Fathers marrying off school girls warned By Amoto Ndiewo Fathers in Tana River County have been told to stop the culture of marrying off young girls and instead embrace values of educating them. The Wailuwana Council of Elders who issued the statement said the number of girls being married off in the region was worrying. Led by their traditional King Hayu Ramadhani Babisani, the elders said the number of girls being married off to older men in Tana had increased considerably during the Covid-19 period. “There is no fun in a man marrying a young girl instead of letting her pursue her education which will lead to a more

KILIFI

ECDE model schools made centres for excellence By Staff Reporter The Kilifi County Executive Committee Member for Education Ministry Racheal Musyoki has said 36 ECDE model schools have been equipped with furniture. She said each school has received desks, five tables and chairs to enable the young nursery school children learn under a healthy environment. Musyoki further revealed that the county government has prioritized the nursery education section in the county in order to enable all children attend school. Ms. Racheal Musyoki, Kilifi county Executive Committee Member in charge of Education, Information, Communication and Technology Ministry.

Mr Avungwi Muganda, School Principal. By Shichangi Richard Teachers, parents and staff from St Maurice Mwira Secondary

This is our best performance since the school was started. - Principal Avungwi

Kwale needs 100 more teachers By Tsozungu Kiombe The government has been asked to post 100 teachers to Kwale County to address the teacher shortage in schools in the region. Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Executive secretary

6.9 Current mean of the school, a deviation of +2.1 from the previous year of 4.9. C- and 6 D+ to emerge the top in Matungu Sub-County. The school which is located in Matungu Sub County of Kakamega County was among the most improved schools after registering the impressive 6.9 mean score from the last year 4.9 hence positive deviation of 2.1 “I want to thank the almighty, St Maurice Mwira Secondary School community for giving us this exemplary performance. This is our best performance since the school was started,” said Muganda.

Kadiri Mwakodi attributed the poor performance in national examinations to lack of teachers. He f said that the government should employ more teachers and deploy them to the county to enhance delivery of quality education.

NORTH EASTERN Divorce increasing school dropouts By Amoto Ndiewo

St Maurice Mwira Secondary School celebrates sterling performance School in Kakamega County celebrated their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2020 exam results. According to the Principal Avungwi Muganda, with a population of 177 registered candidates, they managed to send 95 to universities. The school had 1 A minus 7 B+, 24 B plain, 35 B-and 28 C+. It also got 14 C plain, 31

meaningful life,’’ said Babisani. He said at some point the older men are unable to fulfil conjugal obligations to the young wives leading to promiscuity, immorality and spread of sexually transmitted Wailuwana community diseases. He added that King Hayu Babisani of some old men in- the boat people. Photo/ sist on marrying Dennis Amoto the young school age girls, yet they change that. The young neither have the financial girls’ place is a classroom nor physical stamina to because such marriages sustain such unions . often end up in divorce,” The King warned that he added. beliefs by local people Tana River County that young girls can ignite Commissioner Matthias an old man’s limp libido Rioba stressed that such were misleading. practices are retrogressive “No small girl how- and do drag communities ever steamy or spicy will behind.

Wajir based cleric Sheikh Athman Abdiwahab has decried the high rate of divorce amongst Muslim couples in the county which has affected the levels of education. Abdwahab said that more than 200 divorce cases were reported last year and another 95 have so far been filed this year. He noted that once a couple separates the family fabric is disconnected and thus not only, does the family system suffer but children can’t concentrate in school. “Some children end up dropping out of school all together while others cannot concen-

trate on school work is hugely stretched,” he said. The Wajir based Muslim scholar explained that societal demands and pressure by families and parents were the main causes of family separations. “Most people are oblivious of the Islamic education on the rule of marriage as an institution. This makes it difficult in making the right decision when approaching the otherwise noble institution of marriage,’’ he noted. Revealing that over 70% of the Kadhi‘s court cases are related to divorce, the cleric called on Muslim scholars and clerics to engage the Muslim citizenry in creating awareness.

Garissa High School emerges top By Our Reporter Garissa High School in Township Sub County emerged top in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with 92 students out of 243 candidates qualifying for university admission. Garissa High, one of the oldest secondary schools in the region registered an improve-

ment of 0.98 to post 6.10 mean grade points or C up from a grade C- in 2019 exams. Beaming with happiness the school’s Senior Principal Lawrence Ombasa Nyakweba who joined in 2019 lauded the 243 boys and the teachers for shooting up the university intake level from 41 in 2019 to 92 in 2020 KCSE exams.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

KAKA37 MEGA

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Chebilat Boys builds on improved KCSE performance that number to the current population of 932. TSC teachers number 24, BOM 20 with a CBE requirement of 48. The biggest challenge the school faces is teacher shortage at 50% as it has 24 TSC teachers aganist

By Leonard Angatia

hebilat Boys High is an Extra county school, located near Kapkatet town, Sotik sub county in Bomet. The school offers an inviting look to both visitors and locals with its smartness and discipline among students. Under the school’s tradition, student leadership is done on basis of top performance and discipline is at the core of initiatives that make these students to stand firm and represent the school very well because they own the process. The school has recently started using professional security officers to train student leaders on how to gather information from others with a view to improving discipline situation in school by sharing appropriately with the school aministration. In last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), among the top students are those

Mathew Korir, Senior Principal,

Mr Wesley Chirchir, Deputy Principal (Academics).

Mr Kipkorir Kirui, Deputy Principal (Administration).

Last year’s candidature was 245 and

108

qualified to join public universities a number which was double compared to 58 candidates of 2019. The Senior Principal, Mr Mathew Korir who joined the school towards the end of 2017 has spearhead the institution to greater heights in terms of performance , population growth and expansion of infrastructure. who are student leaders. The 2020 KCSE it had a mean score of 6.47 up from 5.26 of 2019 with a positive deviation of 1.2 and it emerged among the most improved schools in Bomet county. They are working on a formula to see results improve further and have a set target of 7.9 in this year’s KCSE. Last year’s candidature was 245 and 108 qualified to join public universities a number which was double compared to 58 candidates of 2019.

The Senior Principal, Mr Mathew Korir joined the school towards the end of 2017 and the mean score was at 4.2. He has spearhead the institution to greater heights in terms of performance, population growth and expansion of infrastructure. He immediately began teachers’ forums and psyched them to double up their efforts and carry more responsibilities which has worked and performance is gradually improving. Student population stood at 770 in 2017, but he has pushed

the school’s CBE OF 48.The principal hopes TSC shall soon intervene and add the school more recruitment slots to address the acute shortage. The visionary principal has constructed 10 classrooms within 3 years, the latest being construction of a two-storey six classrooms block using M.I votehead. The school appreciate services of BOM chairperson Mrs Nancy Chirchir and PA Chair Mr Samwel Koech. There is also a new computer lab with 20 new computers whose construction was through principal’s request to WEMYSS charitable trust. He has also constructed a new staffroom, a dormitory with students capacity of 150 and bought a backup generator

which works efficiently during power blackout as opposed to the past when students could stay in darkness. “We demand respect and expect all students to remain focused. Do not allow actions of others to derail your good manners, because you represent yourself at the end of four years in this school,” Principal advises students. The institution has a rigorous programme put in place for extra lessons taught at remedial hours in the morning and evening plus weekends which has propelled the school to record improved results. Departments run their affairs independently in liaison with school administration. “Discipline is paramount formed under discipline committee where we meet every Tuesday and invite student leaders who give information about students’ welfare. Teachers on duty also brief us and everything picks up from there,” explained Principal. The school rarely suspends

students because of indiscipline but, rather make use of guidance and counselling to handle any emerging discipline related problems. “With continuous exams released on timely in a ceremonious manner and rewards by giving prizes to most improved and weaker ones, this makes them work harder. This has seen results shoot up and the school expect to be among the top in the country in years to come,’ stated Mr Korir. They have baptized top performers “Heroes class” meaning the top performed class normally receive attention as heroes and accorded support and encouragement for the whole week making other classes to scramble for top performance. However, there is no reliable source of water because county water supply is not enough making it hard for survival. On the issue of water shortage, the principal constructed three storage tanks of 60,000Litres each to partly address a biting water problem.

Students in class.

The teaching and non-teaching staff.

New staffroom.

Dining Hall.

Newly completed classes.

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

OPINION

Use unabsorbed money for teachers pay rise

Recently, The Salaries and Remuneration Commission delivered the sad news to civil servants and teachers that salary increment cannot be sustained by the economy. It thus announced the freezing of salary increments and Collective Bargain Agreements (CBA) negotiations it said is necessitated by the declining government income. This is due to the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic that has made it impossible for Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to collect sufficient funds to sustain government expenditure. Consequently, the Teachers’ employers have expressed unwillingness to negotiate new Collective Bargaining Agreements from 2021 to 2025 that would have cushioned the teachers against adverse economic challenges. Admittedly, the pay rise for workers remains elusive so long as we continue viewing the government budget as inflexible. This suggests that the government expenditure in the education sector must be relooked. Fair pay means the compensation in wages and salaries is supposed to commensurate with the work done by an employee and should be sufficient to cater for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, travel and cater for medical bills. Let me illustrate using a male teacher Mr X who graduated with a bachelor’s degree and got employed at age 25 fifteen years ago at job group K. Possibly the single newly employed teacher did not require a three-bedroom house for accommodation and therefore had sustainable income. After three years, the teacher

possibly got the automatic promotion to job group L (C3) which guaranteed him a salary increment of about Ksh. 15,000. That is good news to the teacher because he can now plan for an expanded family. Suppose Mr X married a housewife and had 3 children in his 5th year as an employee. In the 7th year of employment, Mr X’s children have grown and are schooling. As the children are growing, the family needs more space. Equally, the family needs are also growing exponentially while the income of a C3 teacher is stagnant and so school fees and other expenses are gnawing the family budget terribly. Remember that the teacher stays on a rented premise because he does not work in a home county and has no extra time to venture into business at his age of 40 years with children in advanced primary school. He is expecting an increment to sustain the ever-growing family demands in terms of food, clothing, housing, school fees and utility bills. For this reason, Mr X has to work hard to earn a promotion to C4 to earn an increment. To be promoted to C4, he is told that he has to be perfect in filling many forms and ensure his students pass highly to get a salary increment. Mr X retires to bed at 9 pm and wakes up at 4 am to continue lesson planning, marking assignments and CATs, setting exams, planning guidance and counseling sessions etc. He faithfully clocks in at the school gate by 7 am and at 5.30 pm he clocks out carrying some weekly CATs to mark at home. Mr X doesn’t earn any extra

income apart from the monthly salary and doesn’t have any time left for his personal development since he attends to the needs of slow learners at grade C3 and earns a gross salary of about Ksh. 60,000. Let’s compute the monthly expenditure; Income tax obligation Sh13,000, rent (3-bedroom house) Sh20,000, food Sh10,000. Clothing Sh10,000, fees Sh20,000, utility bills Sh7000 and Transport to work (motorbike Sh10,000).

The morale dies as well because if we peg fair salary with the economy, there will be no day a teacher will walk with pride and satisfaction. Stable and sustainable income to a teacher has fundamental advantages because it improves the performance of a teacher, minimizes work-related depression and improves working relations at work and with stakeholders. The employer will have little resources for litigations and monitoring consequently, the teacher will have more quality time to attend to the needs of students thus alleviating possible conflicts and strikes. Nonetheless, the government is insisting that the recurrent expenditure is unsustainable. Looking at the National Government Budget Implementation Review Report First Half Financial Year 2020/2021 puts Education as the highest spender of the national budget (15% of the gross National Budget). The education sector spent a whooping Kshs 505.10billions where 481.17 (95%) was for recurrent expenditure). Teachers Service commission received the highest budgetary allocation of Sh257.97 billion (51.1% of the education sector’s allocation). Given the accuracy of the data, TSC was able to spend Sh135.804billion (absorption rate of 52.5%), leaving Sh122.17 billion unspent. Going by the report, there is sufficient cash that is not absorbed by TSC that should be used to employ more teachers and improve their salaries. Similarly, other Ministries,

Charles Mogunde As can be seen, the teacher remains with a deficit of about Sh30,000 which he must borrow from the SACCO or bank. The cycle of borrowing goes on and on until a typical teacher in a common cadre is trapped in perennial borrowing until CRB creeps into his financial life. A cursory look at the teachers’ pay slip will tell you the desperate state of affairs in the same way, other lower cadre employees suffer in silence. If you mention that there is no possibility of a new CBA, the teacher torments and dies in silence.

Directorates and Agencies (MDAs) had more than 50% of un-absorbed cash that can be re-allocated to pay low cadre workers who in return will pay income taxes, buy goods and services from the local market and thus improve money circulation. Leaving monies unspent creates an appetite for stealing by a few “intelligent brothers/sisters”. Fair pay will minimize labour disputes which have been witnessed to affect social harmony and coexistence. Recurrent expenditure that includes: Domestic travel, foreign travel, printing and advertising, rentals and rates, training, hospitality, maintenance expenses of motor vehicles, legal fees and other expenses can be set at a specific ceiling. The SRC and the foreign donors should not deny employees their fair pay in the context of unsustainable recurrent expenditure. Labour unions should show the treasury and SRC that there are more benefits of improving the salaries of civil servants and teachers than the disadvantages. For example, the economy improves by having more money circulating buying goods and services thus stimulating production and revenue collection. Secondly, the budgetary reallocations to all ministries, directorates and agencies should focus on the big 4 agenda. Local manufacturing can be boosted if workers have improved purchasing power. Mogunde Charles (mogundecharles@gmail.com) FCPA, B.Ed.(Sci), M.Sc., Mediator, SMC and PhD candidate

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION STATE DEPARTMENT OF TVET

KIMASIAN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COLLEGE

P.O. BOX 1149- 20200, KERICHO Email: kimasiantvc@gmail.com MOBILE NO: 0748186340

imasian Technical and Vocational College is a registered public TVET institution located along Kericho-Nakuru highway in Kipkelion East Constituency, Londiani Sub-County Kericho County. The college sits on a 30 acre piece of land donated by the County Government of Kericho in agreement with the local community. The college offers nine accredited demand driven courses at Artisan, Craft Certificate and Diploma levels and is a certified Kenya National Examination Council Centre. Kimasian TVC admitted its pioneer Trainees in May 2019 and has since gradually admitted over 609 handled by 32 qualified and motivated trainers. We are working hard to increase the enrolment and offer quality training for self-reliance and growth The college is a centre of excellence in Welding and

Fabrication course and has state-ofthe-art equipment from China in the Trade area and gradually improving infrastructure in the other areas. Trainees receive financial support from Government Administration and Tution Block capitation and towards attainment of the ‘Big prospective students are assisted to apply for HELB Four Agenda’, Vision 2030 and loan. Since inception, NG-CDF Sustainable Development Goals. Kipkelion East has also supported a good number of our trainees through bursaries amounting to over Ksh.6000,000 which has enabled many youths from the constituency to access the muchneeded technical training. As a National Technical and Vocational College, we are committed to offering quality and relevant training tailored to meet dynamic job market needs Computer Laboratory

COURSES OFFERED

Intake

Level/course

Qualification

Examination Body

DIPLOMA

C- AND ABOVE

KNEC

CRAFT

D PLAIN AND ABOVE

KNEC

ARTISAN

E AND ABOVE

KNEC

TRADE TEST GRADE 111

KCPE AND ABOVE

NITA

• • • • • • •

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EDUCATION NEWS

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Mpeketoni Boy’s High school records improved KCSE performance 0.54. Tole lauded the 2020 class Severini Tole, for the good Chief Principal. performance and attributed the success to By Collins Akong’o discipline and commitment. peketoni Boy’s H i g h School posted impressive results in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination. The results put Mpeketoni Boy’s High School in the limelight over their good performance in Lamu County. The school was the leading in Lamu County with 55 candidates who scored C plus and above thus qualifying to join Abdul Hakim Bwana, university. Deputy Governor Lamu According to the county. Chief Principal Severini Tole, the school recorded an improvement in 2020 He attributed the with a mean score of 5.77 good performance on the compared to 2019 a mean team efforts exhibited by of 5.233. the teachers, students, The school improved parents and the Board of by a positive index of + Management (BOM).

Currently the school has 34 teachers from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and 7 teachers employed by the BOM. The school enjoys the support from the local leadership and the community at large.. The Lamu County

The school was the leading in Lamu County with 55 candidates who scored C plus and above thus qualifying to join university. We attribute the good performance to the team efforts exhibited by the teachers, students, parents and the board of management. -Severini Tole

Top student being awarded by Guest of Honour, Lamu County Deputy Governor, Abdul Hakim Bwana.

School Gate.

deputy governor Abdul Hakim Bwana said that the county government will continue to support the school through bursaries and scholarship programmes. Mpeketoni Boys is one of the pioneer schools

Riziki Daido, Lamu County TSC Director.

in Lamu County that will quarters, currently 3 take the region and the classrooms. county to greater heights With a 93 per cent of development. transition for pupils joining Among the strategies secondary school in Lamu is to improve the school County, the school has put performance and ensure in place a raft of measures completion of syllabus to tackle the huge number in time to allow thorough of learners ready to join it. revision and planning and bench marking with other top schools. The TSC, County Director Riziki Daido challenged the students to focus on their studies for their better future and lauded teachers and Board of Management for the sterling results. According to the Chief Principal, the school is undertaking development projects like constructing a new school gate and renovation of school administration block, Joshua Kaaga, Lamu toilets and teachers County Director of Education.

KCSE MEAN SCORES OVER THE YEARS

YEAR 2020 2019 2018

ENTRY 218 159 116

MEAN SCORE 5.77 5.233 5.155

Deputy Governor, Lamu County Abdul Hakim Bwana, TSC County Director, Riziki Daido, County Director of Education, Mr Joshua Kaaga and Chief Principal Severini Tole awarding the 2020 KCSE best candidates.

From left-Lamu County CECM for Education, J. Thairu, Deputy Governor Abdul Bwana, County Director of Education Joshua Kaaga, and Chief Principal Severini Tole.

Lamu TSC County Director, Riziki Daido, County Director of Education, Joshua Kaaga, Chief Guest Deputy Governor awarding Chief Principal Severini Tole.

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EDUCATION NEWS

INSIDE

www.educationnews.co.ke

JULY 18 - AUG 4, 2021

Employ and pay nonteaching staff, urges union The Ministry through the recent circular titled Guidelines for Implementation of Free Day Secondary Education for the Year 2021-2022 dated June 2021 allocated a total of Sh. 9,400 per learner annually. By Our Reporter The Kenya Union of Secondary Schools’ NonTeaching Staff (KUSSNTS) has urged the government to either employ non-teaching staff and pay them directly like other civil servants or channel funds to County Education Boards. The Union’s National Administrator Alexander Muthiani who also doubles as the Eastern Regional Secretary is against the current practice of money for nonteaching staff being sent to school accounts. Speaking to Education News, he said: “Its better the funds be channeled to Coun-

KUSSNTS officials National Administrator Alexander Muthiani (left) with Marketing Chair Josphat Kamau (right) with one of their clients.

Muthiani decried the manner in which the non-teaching staff are discriminated against since their salary is pegged at the number of students at a school.

ty Education Boards or the Ministry to employ the nonteaching staff directly like any other staff working in other public entities.” The Ministry through the recent circular titled Guidelines for Implementation of Free Day Secondary Education for the Year 2021-2022 dated June 2021 allocated a total of Sh. 9,400 per leaner annually. Parents with children in boarding schools are however required to pay an additional amount besides the government grant on the vote head. The other vote heads include Local Travel and Transport (abbreviated as

LT & T in most cases), Administration, Electricity and Water Conservation (EWC), and Personnel Emolument (P.E). The circular was directed to all County Directors of Education and copied to Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry, Chief Administrative Secretaries in the Ministry, Chief Executive Officer of the TSC, Directors School Audit Services and Quality Assurance and Standards, and Regional Directors of Education. According to Muthiani, money which the Ministry allocates to pay the non-teaching staff is not enough and at some point not clearly defined under the vote head. “The School management stretches these expenses leaving peanuts to the vote head of Person-

Govt pays Sh1.8bn for ghost students By Staff Reporter The government paid Sh1.8 billion to over 2,000 secondary schools with ghost students and another Sh26.8 million to five ghost schools. The damning report over loss of the colossal sums of money is contained in the 2019/2020 Financial Year by the Auditor General. The report also faulted the Ministry of Education for not properly accounting over Sh58 billion allocated in subsidies under the State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education. With audit report revealing its massive wastage during the 2019/2020 Financial Year which ended June 30, 2020. The report released by the Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu said the government overpaid Sh1.8 billion to 2, 610 public secondary schools in different counties. The overpayment was attributed to erroneous computations of the July and September 2019 disbursements, double payments to some schools and inflation of enrolment numbers in January 2020 leading to the big number of the ghost students.

“The balance includes an amount of Sh.1, 815,126,548 being overpayment of subsidies to 2610 public secondary schools in different counties,” reads the report. The other anomaly found by the Auditor General was that around 26.8million was send to schools whose existence was in doubt. Shs.26, 835,700 was disbursed to the five ghost schools whose since registration certificates, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) appointment letters and posting of principals were not provided. Boards of Management (BoM) minutes approving opening of bank accounts and other documents required under the State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education annual guidelines on disbursement of Free Day Secondary Education Funds (FDSE) were also not provided. “In the circumstances, it is not possible to confirm the accuracy and validity of the reported subsidies of Sh58,778,993,798 for the year ended 30 June, 2020,” the report says. Under FDSE, the government normally provides

George Magoha, Education CS. a subsidy of Sh 22, 244 per year for each learner in boarding schools that is equal to the subsidy for each leaner in a day school. It includes Sh 4, 144 for tuition (teaching learning materials and exam), Sh 2, 000 for medical or insurance, Sh 1, 500 activity fees and Sh 200 for strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education (SMASSE). Other vote heads includes local travel and transport, electricity and personnel emolument that are allocated Sh 9, 400 and Sh 5, 000 for maintenance and improvement. In November 2020, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof.

George Magoha revealed that taxpayers have been losing billions of shillings every year funding education of more than half a million ghost learners. Prof. Magoha released a statement in early November statement defending his abrasive style of management and why it has been effective. According to the CS, the anomaly was unmasked by the task force on implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) that collected data from all learning institutions in the country. “Due diligence in the primary school sector identified an inflation of numbers of learners from 8.47 million to 9 million learners,” said Magoha. He revealed that the shortfall of 529,997 learners led to the saving of Sh752,594,740 annually. While touring Machakos County in November last year, the CS said that the ministry has now what he referred to as “virgin data” on schools. “We are no longer wasting Kenya government money using assessed numbers. We are paying for a child that is alive, that has been seen and counted,” said Prof Magoha.

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nel Emolument (P.E), hence making schools to go for months without single coin,” he added. The new guidelines to be effected from July this year say parents with children in boarding national and extra county schools in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Nyeri, Thika and Eldoret will pay a total Sh. 17, 267 annually for other vote head. Those with children in boarding schools outside the stated towns will pay Sh 11, 670 annually as other vote head which include LT and T, administration, electricity and P.E. Personal emolument or P.E will not be restricted to payment of Non-teaching staff but it however will continue to disburse funds to support the Board of Management (BOM). “It shall be the responsibility of the boards to hire non-teaching staff at terms commensurate with qualification and capacity to pay,” said Dr. Julius Jwan, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Early and Basic Learning. Muthiani decried the manner in which the non-teaching staff are discriminated since their salary is pegged at the number of students at a school.

Muslims call for more Islamic teachers By Amoto Ndiewo The National Chairman of Kenya Muslim Advisory Council (KEMNAC ) Sheikh Juma Ngao has urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to step up recruitment of Islamic Religious Education (IRE) teachers. Ngao complained that TSC allocated very few vacancies to those teaching IRE in the latest recruitment in Coast region . He said most qualified IRE teachers are jobless in the region and have resorted to providing private tuition yet they can be hired to teach in public service schools. “Those teaching IRE and CRE studies should be accorded equal chances,’’ said Sheikh Ngao He added they have Islamic universities that are also churning out qualified graduates’ year

in year out in every region of the country. “They have nowhere to go after graduating . We want them to be

Ngao complained that very few vacancies were allocated those teaching IRE in the latest recruitment in Coast region . hired because the number of vacancies advertised will not equal the number of unemployed IRE teachers,” said Ngao. “In public schools you find more teachers teaching Chriatian Religious Education (CRE) than those teaching IRE and the government needs to revisit these to ensure equality,” he said.

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