EDUCATION

Varsity governance changes suspended

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has provisionally suspended any changes in governance and administrative structures of all public Universities and Constituent Colleges pending approval by »» Page 4 his Ministry.

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1,400 Primary school children council leaders trained »» Page 3

Mr Johnstone Nzioka, KEPSHA National Chairman.

Queries as retiring school heads retained »STORY PAGE 2

Equity Bank’s solution to firewood use in schools »» Page 3

Big-hearted alumni visit school Principal 32 years later »» Page 17

Deputy Principals from Mwigwani Sub-county in Kitui County during a workshop at Minni Hotel in Embu County organised by area secondary school heads. Some of the deputy principals will be affected by the new policy to extend the retirement terms of the Principals. Photo/Kamundia Muriithi

Confusion as TSC posts TMOs to Counties Teachers Service Commission CEO NancyMacharia

»» Page 2

Unemployed P1, ECDE teachers to bear cost of upgrading to Diploma »» Page 3

Food vendors banned in schools »» Back Page

EDUCATION NEWS

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Sub County Directors worried as TMOs deployed The officers were deployed to various subcounties that did not have TSC SCDs to facilitate the processing of teacher registration.

By Roy Hezron Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has deployed 47 Principal Teacher Management Officers (TMOs) to various parts of the country who will perform teacher management functions at sub-county level, a task that was previously handled by Sub County Directors (SCDs).

The Commission advertised the 47 positions between January and February this year and reportedly conducted the interviews of the shortlisted candidates when schools proceeded for halfterm on June 3, 2021 to June 7, 2021.

The officers were deployed to various sub-counties that did not have TSC SCDs to facilitate the processing of teacher registration.

The move has created fear among SCDs who say TSC is creating a parallel teacher management layer equivalent to positions they hold.

Other roles reserved for TMOs include, implementing policies and guidelines related to teacher management functions, identifying vacant posts as per the establishment in all public learning institutions and preparing advertisements for the posts.

They will also analyze data on teachers relating to the teacher management and identify gaps in the teacher establishment for decision making.

They are to identify and establish skills inventory for teachers in public learning institutions and advise the management on issues pertaining to special needs education.

Furthermore, the officers will be responding to queries on special needs education, sensitize all teachers on gender and disability mainstreaming in all public learning institutions.

They will also compile sub-county public complaints report on matters affecting teachers and co-ordinate professional teacher development programmes to ensure continuous improvement of teachers’ skills.

Other duties that the officers will perform include investigating allegations of professional misconduct within the sub-county and receive applications for transfer of service of teachers to public institutions for submission to the county office.

They will receive applications for release of teachers to other institutions for submission to the county office, receive retirement documents and submit to the county office, supervise staff within the sub county office and any other duty as may be assigned by the County Director.

The duties and responsibilities of TMOs are similar to the one the Subcounty Directors are performing.

In addition, the two they have been placed in an almost equivalent Job Group, with Sub-County Directors being placed at T-Scale 6 and the TMOs at T-Scale 7.

“They are performing duties of Sub-County Director and they are in the

Nancy Macharia, TSC CEO. same Job Group with some of the SubCounty Directors. What distinguishes a TMO and a SCD?” posed one TSC field officer on condition of anonymity.

Initially, TMOs were placed to operate at various TSC County offices but because of shortages of Sub-County Directors they have been deployed to avoid overworking the SDC’s.

Some SCD were managing more than one sub-county and the deployment is expected to cushion them though the biggest question is what distinguishes a TMO from a SCD. In 2019, the Commission revised the grading structure for its secretariat staff which saw the merging of Senior Deputy Director, County Director and Deputy Director into one post as Deputy Director or County Director and placed them at TSC Scale 5.

Their equivalent Job Group was R which also included Regional Directors.

The positions of Chief Officers and Principal Officers were also merged and renamed Principal Officer and placed at TSC Scale 7.

Sub-County Directors were renamed as Assistant Directors from Assistant Deputy Director.

The Assistant Directors at the SubCounty where the county offices were domiciled had their jobs enriched by having them assigned the additional responsibility of Deputy County Director.

The other positions which were also merged were that of Principal Officers and Chief Officers who initially were in Job Group N and M being merged to new designation of Principal Officers at TSC Scale 7 with equivalent Job Group being N. Senior Deputy Director (TSC Scale 13), Deputy Director (TSC Scale 12), Assistant Deputy Director (TSC Scale 11) are being placed on a five year renewable contract.

The constitution under Article 252(1) empowers each independent Commission like TSC to recruit its own staff.

12 - 26 AUG, 2021

Blow for Deputy heads as TSC retains retiring heads

By Douglas Dindi

vice from June 30, 2021 onwards.

TSC is justifying the decision to retain the retiring heads on the grounds that they need to tap into their experience in the implementation of the new CompetencyBased Curriculum (CBC) and also as compensation for the lost learning period during the long school closure arising from the outbreak of Covid-19.

Learning in all learning institutions was disrupted for most of last year and the early months of 2021 occasioning a crash academic calendar across schools, colleges and universities.

In 2019, the Parliamentary Committee on Education termed extension of term of retiring principals as illegal and demanded the revocation of the contracts.

The Department of Technical Ed-

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu, however, denied reports that the union had agreed to the contract extension for its members and urged those retiring to be cautious over entering into fresh agreements.

“We have asked the commission for a meeting to discuss this issue. We expect the meeting not later than mid-September. We have a raft of issues to discuss with them and this is one among them,” Oyuu said on phone.

His Deputy Hesbon Otieno added that as long as people whose contract is being extended are comfortable and it’s not being loaded on them, then they’ve no reason to complain.

“It’s an individual decision when your contract is being ex-

Thousands of deputy heads and senior teachers at public schools are in for a rude shock as Teachers Service Commission (TSC) moved to extend terms for retiring principals.

This drastic action effectively means that thousands of these teachers who were within breathing distance in the succession chain of school management will either have to wait longer for their chance or forfeit their hopes altogether especially for those who are nearing their retirement.

Several County Directors and other field officers who spoke to Education News in confidence as they are not authorized to speak to the press said the extension option affects head teachers of primary schools, Principals of secondary schools and teachers’ colleges.

It is understood that the offer is popular with heads of national and extra county schools and this group are said to have gone for the option in droves. Those manning county institutions, however, are reported to be content with straight retirement as scheduled.

Education News has further learnt that the decision to retire or extend contract is optional for the concerned school heads and Tharaka Nithi County KESSHA secretariat led by their those interested to remain chairman, Mr Rachi Kirimi (second left) during secondary in office were required to schools deputy principals Conference held in Mombasa express their interest in writCounty. Photo/Kamundia Muriithi ing and channel their letters through the offices of the ucation and Vocational Training tended you’re requested so you Regional Directors.

The Commission conducted came under a hail of criticism for either accept or refuse, if they interviews for Deputy Heads at offering extra years to administra- accept it means that they’re comT-Scale C4 in February this year tors who had attained their retire- fortable,” stated Otieno.

Kakamega County Knut Secand were set to be promoted to ment age without the approval of Grade C5 and posted as Princi- Parliament. They said such deci- retary Achadius Liyayi claims the pals, but this will have to change sions was unfair and affected the contracts could be a cover-up of a as some of the people they were morale of those waiting to suc- messed up pension fund at TSC, accusing the commission of causto succeed will remain in office ceed them.

Kenya Union of Post-Pri- ing stagnation in the service. for another one and a half years mary Education Teachers (KUP“Someone who has clocked to two in some cases.

Out of the interviews con- PET) in its report of November 60 is tired. What guidance can ducted, 2,111 deputy head teach- last year signalled that half of he offer under the Competency ers qualified to be promoted to 25,000 teachers on the TSC re- Based Curricular (CBC)? If you Grade C5 and were set to be ap- tirement queue had one year left keep recycling the old hands, when do you expect the gradupointed as Principals and head to retire.

Kenya Primary Schools ate teachers to get employed?” he teachers.

TSC records show that Heads Association (KEPSHA) posed.

Efforts to reach the Commis12,500 school heads in both pri- National Chairman, Mr Johnson mary and secondary schools were Nzioka who is also the Head- sion’s Chairperson, Dr. Jamleck due to retire by June 30th this teacher of Donholm Primary Muturi and Chief Executive Ofyear. Another 25,000 teachers School in Nairobi confirmed to ficer (CEO), Dr. Nancy Macharia will retire by June 30, 2022 after Education News that the terms of for their side of the story on this the heads were extended, but the matter were not successful since turning the requisite 60 years.

This July, the Commission decision was optional and no one neither of them picked our calls nor replied to Short Test Mesquietly asked retiring school was compelled to do so.

“Yes but this applies only sages (SMSs) sent to them by the heads who wished to stay on in office to apply for contract exten- to those willing to take the offer. time of going to press.

(Additional reporting by sion, a directive which affected They were given an opportunity Roy Hezron). school and college heads that to apply for extension. I have no were set for retirement from ser- problem with that,” said Nzioka.

This July, the Commission quietly asked retiring school heads who wished to stay on in office to apply for contract extension, a directive which affected school and college heads that were set for retirement from service from June 30, 2021 onwards.

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

3

Equity Bank unveils Clean Cooking project in schools of their annual budget on wood fuel Wood will never be a sustainable source of fuel because the for cooking.

“We also do biogas for schools rate at which we are cutting trees for firewood is not the same so that they are able to utilize the waste of animals to create energy for as the rate at which we’re growing trees - Eric Naivasha. cooking. It’s very efficient because once you install the bio-digester, you just feed in, get your gas then use

By Staff Reporter it,” added Mr Naivasha. According to the Clean Cooking Alliance of Equity Bank has called upon Kenya (CCAK) study on ‘Use of all learning institutions to embrace Biomass Cook-stoves and Fuels in cleaner, sustainable and environinstitutions in Kenya report of 2018’, mental sources of cooking and 97 per cent of primary and secondlighting instead of depending on the ary schools use firewood derived wood-fuel based cooking which is from forests as cooking fuel and this costly and contributes to environcounters the government’s efforts of mental pollution. attaining 10 per cent forest cover.

The initiative,dubbed ‘Clean CCAK estimates that one milCooking Project’, is aimed at suplion metric tonnes of wood-fuel porting learning institutions in the are used by primary and secondary installation of environmentally safe schools every year with a value of modern technologies for cooking Sh10 billion. The increased oversuch as steam-based cooking, biofureliance on wood and charcoal as els, sustainable biomass and Liquid the primary sources of fuel by inEducation CS Prof. George Magoha (right), Environment Petroleum Gas (LPG). stitutions requires urgent attention PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo (2nd right) and Equity Group MD and In an interview with Education for the country to reduce greenCEO Dr. James Mwangi (3rd right) are taken through meal News in his office, Equity Group house gas emissions by 30 per preparation process in a kitchen fitted with modern Foundation’s Energy and Environcent by the year 2030 under the ment Associate Director, Mr Eric cooking technology by Alliance High School Principal Intended Nationally Determined Naivasha stated that learning instituWilliam Mwangi. Photo/Equity Bank Contribution (INDC). tions could save up to 40 percent of “Wood will never be a sustheir entire cooking budget if they tainable source of fuel because the equipment as well as meet the atten- ens, is tabulated based on the size of transformed to clean energy. the institution, the population and the rate at which we are cutting trees for The clean cooking project initia- dant installation costs.

Mr Naivasha stated that schools number of meals prepared in the in- firewood is not the same as the rate tive which has been rolled out by the at which we’re growing trees,” stated bank in partnership with Liquefied can start repaying the loans from the stitution.

These learning institutions, espe- Mr Naivasha.

Petroleum Gas (LPG) firm will see savings they realize after switching to Alliance High School is the first Equity Bank finance learning insti- cleaner energy.ZThe loan, which tar- cially those offering boarding facilischool to join the clean energy initiagets learning institutions with kitchties, spend a significant percentage tutions in order to buy the necessary

Unemployed P1, ECDE Teachers to bear cost of upgrading to Diploma

By Staff Reporter Unemployed P1 and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers will have to cater for their upgrading programme. The programme which will take nine months and three months for teaching practice, will involve P1 teachers upgrading to Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) while ECDE teachers will upgrade to Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE).

Applicants with valid P1 and ECDE certificates registered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will be considered for the upgrade programme, whose application started on July 29, 2021.

Employed teachers will have to wait for the school calendar to normalize before benefiting from the school-based upgrading programme.

According to the school calendar released by former Principal Secretary of Education Dr. Belio Kipsang’, the traditional JanuaryDecember school calendar is expected to resume in January 2024.

The resolution of coming up with an upgrading programme came after it emerged that no teacher will be employed by TSC in future without a diploma.

Dr. Reuben Nthamburi Director Quality Assurance and Standards prepared a framework on entry requirements to the teaching profession which required teachers who have certificates in ECDE, Primary Teacher Education (PTE) and Di-

Graduands at Igoji TTC keenly follow procedings during a previous graduation ceremony. Such graduands are now required to upgrade to diploma to secure employment in future. File/photo ploma in Teacher Education (DTE) to have Post Training Certificate (PTC) to be certified for teaching the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

According to the Commission, PTC will involve teachers being taken through CBC Learning areas and Pedagogy, 21st century principles and practices of teacher education, andragogy and Lifelong Learning Assessment, action research and inclusivity. Teachers will also be instructed on Blending Content and Pedagogy Micro teaching, Practicum Supervision and Assessment Reflective Teaching and Pedagogical and Reasoning.

Only 1,400 applicants qualified to join DPTE and DECDE in June this year. They were distributed to six Public Teacher Training Colleges: Machakos, Thogoto Kiambu, Shanzu, Egoji, Baringo, and Migori.

The second intake of trainee teachers to Public Diploma Primary Teachers College (DPTC) that was to take place in July this year was postponed to a later date, with the

1,400 school children council leaders trained

By Roy Hezron

Ministry stating that the process will proceed after necessary logistics were completed.

Chairperson of Kenya Teachers College Principals Association (KTCPA) Saul Baraza urged those interested in the upgrading programme to apply in large numbers.

He also encouraged them to upgrade their skills to ensure compliance with the current curriculum.

The commission has a budget of Sh1 billion for teacher capacity development and targets to train 180,000 teachers on CBC and 23,000 school administrators in the 2021/2022 financial year.

Secondary school teachers haven’t been trained on CBC yet they are expected to receive the first class in January 2023.

For effective implementation of the curriculum, the Task force recommended that the Education ministry ensures all tutors in preservice teacher education training colleges are inducted on effective interpretation and implementation of the teacher education curriculum framework and designs.

tive. Cabinet Secretary of Education Prof. George Magoha presided over the launch of the initiative together with Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. James Mwangi on March 8, 2021.

“With the installation of clean cooking infrastructure, the school can now reap the benefits of cleaner and environmentally friendly cooking solutions. This is a project that is transformative and in line with the government’s agenda,” said Prof.

Magoha during the launch of the initiative at Alliance High School.

Prof. Magoha called on all schools to switch to the use of clean energy to save on costs and improve health. Dr. Mwangi stated that lack of appropriate financing and innovative technologies are major barriers to clean transition.

“Lack of appropriate financing and innovative technologies have been the biggest barriers to clean energy transition. To close this gap, we have decided to partner with learning institutions to install more environmentally friendly cooking and lighting facilities,” said Dr. Mwangi.

Last year, Equity Bank committed to planting 35 million trees to contribute and rally the country towards the achievement of 10 per cent forest cover.

Out of the 35 million trees, Equity Group intends to plant 20 million in learning institutions. So far, it has planted 3.2 million trees, 2 million of which have been planted in 2,133 schools across the country. About 780,000 households and businesses have been supported to access clean energy products including solar panels for lighting and heating in homes, schools and hotels.

vention, we shall engage the Ministry of Education to provide capitation grant to support the process right from the school level to the national level,” added Nzioka.

Student leaders drawn from 47 counties will be expected to cascade the knowledge gained during the congress to fellow leaders and students in their respective schools.

CFS model was launched by the Ministry in 2010 and since then, the United Nations Children’s Fund originally known as UNICEF, has offered both technical and financial support.

Children Councils were started in 2014 and were meant to replace prefects who were seen as agents of school administrators.

The Councils have promoted an environment of open discourse and holistic learning in schools. They have also proactively represented the children’s voice to the school administrations and School Board of Management.

Principal Secretary in the State Department of Basic and Early Learning Dr. Julius Jwan was the chief guest during this year’s congress.

Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) recently trained 1, 410 children council leaders from public primary schools on leadership, life skills, career guidance and community service during this year’s 5th Annual National Children Council Congress.

The congress, which was hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission (TSC), was held at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) between July 22 and 23, 2021. Its theme was “Children Mentorship.”

Addressing the participants during the virtual congress, KEPSHA Chairman, Mr Johnson Matheka Nzioka lauded the Child Friendly School (CFS) model for creation of student councils, stating that it has increased the move towards child centred teaching and learning.

The CFS model, promoted by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has become the preferred solution to children’s educational needs across the world.

“In order to facilitate sustainability of this Mr Johnstone Nzioka, KEPSHA noble interNational Chairman.

EDUCATION NEWS

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12 - 26 AUG, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

KCSE 2020: Kirobon Boys most improved school in Nakuru

Jared Nandi, Senior principal.

By Brenda Korir Kirobon Boys High School, an extra county school has done all it takes to produce quality grades by posting an impressive mean score of 5.2 in 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results.

The school posted impressive results in KCSE examination becoming the most improved school in Nakuru County.

Kirobon Boys High School improved the mean score from 4.2 in 2019 to 5.2 in 2020.

Living up to its name Kirobon which means rain in Kalenjin language, the school has continuously

experienced rain of success.

Established in 2012, the young boarding boys’ school has grown from only 250 students to the current 678 with three streams in form 3.

With a population of 678 students, 16 Teachers Service Commission (TSC) teachers, the school has gradually expanded to become one of the premier extra county school.

Speaking to Education News in his office, a jovial and confident Senior Principal, Mr Jared Nandi said Kirobon Boys is credited with producing some of the elite leaders in the society and in the country.

The visionary Principal said students have adopted the mode of

Joseph Kamau, Deputy Principal.

doing thorough revision by use of quality revision materials.

“This year we are confident of even surpassing our target because we have put in place all strategies that will enable us to achieve our target mean score. This includes early completion of syllabus to give room for revision, attending symposium and exposing our students to practicals”, the Principal stated.

The students are also taken through moral teaching by the African Inland Church (AIC) the school sponsor.

Strong guidance Mr Nandi said the institution is a regular feature in co-curriculum activities including football, rugby hockey and athletics and has participated in national competitions.

He added that the school has a very strong guidance and counselling department that assists students cope with challenges including, relationships, sexuality and how to avoid drugs, gambling and teenage sex.

He described the school as an academic giant and sporting centre made up of discipline, honest students and dedicated teaching staff. He has used his administrative skills to motivate teachers and students by

Students during break time. organising tours and educational trips.

The school also bring parents on boards in case students don’t perform well to discuss on what should be done to improve the performance.

“We are doing everything possible to make sure our boys improve academically,” he added.

In terms of security, the school has security personnel who make sure

Nancy Rugut, School Bursar.

students are safe and fully protected from any harm within or outside the school.

The school is also planning to instal CCTV cameras to monitor activities going on in the school day and night. It sits on 35 hectares of land.

The Principal called upon the government to employ more trained and qualified teachers and increase funds for development to enable schools have better learning facilities and conducive learning environment.

Deputy Principal Joseph Kamau Kabura said despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, the school managed to send 16 students to university under the government sponsored programme in 2020 compared to 2019 when only 7 students got a chance to join universities.

Mr Kabura noted that the school is seeking to increase the number of students going to university to 80 per cent and urged parents to follow up the academic progress of their children.

Magoha suspends governance changes at varsities “Proposed reviews that necessitate abolishing or establishment of positions in the governance and administrative structures of a public university or constituent college especially those not envisaged in the Universities Act, 2012 must comply with the necessary legal framework governing such changes,” reads the circular in part.

Prof. George Magoha, Education CS.

By Roy Hezron Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has provisionally suspended any changes in governance and administrative structures of all public Universities and Constituent Colleges pending approval by his Ministry.

He warned the university bosses against making their own decision without consultation.

In a circular signed by the CS dated July 14, 2021, Prof. Magoha maintained that any proposed reviews that touch on abolition

or establishment of positions not echoed in the Universities Act, 2012, should follow the laid down laws governing such changes and be forwarded to his Ministry through Commission for University Education (CUE) for approval.

The circular was addressed to all Chairpersons of University and Constituent Colleges Councils, Vice-Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges.

“Proposed reviews that necessitate abolishing or establishment of positions in the governance and administrative structures of

a public university or constituent college especially those not envisaged in the Universities Act, 2012 must comply with the necessary legal framework governing such changes,” reads the circular in part.

The circular further reads that the changes should “be forwarded to the Ministry through the Commission for University Education before their relevant human resource instruments can be approved by the Ministry in collaboration with State Advisory Committee.”

The circular was released days after the University of Nairobi announced its institutional reforms with a view to position it on the path towards relevance in the 21st century.

The University through its Council Chairperson Prof. Julia Ojiambo on July 9, 2021 abolished 5 Offices of the Deputy Vice Chancellors and replaced them with 2 Associate Vice Chancellors. It also abolished all colleges and reorganized all functions around faculties reducing them to 11. All positions of Principals and Deputy Principals were abolished and their roles reorganized under new positions of Executive and Associate Deans.

The move might create a showdown between the CS and the UoN

top management considering that Prof. Magoha in his communication to all universities and constituent colleges directed that any action on proposed changes be kept in abeyance, pending relevant approvals and gazettment of the relevant instruments.

The directive therefore implies that all the new positions announced and created by the UoN Council are invalid.

In the circular copied to Head of the Public Service Dr. Joseph Kinyua, Attorney General Kihara Kariuki, National Treasury and Planning CS Amb. Ukur Yattani, University PS Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, State Corporation Secretary Ms. Wanjiku Wakogi and CUE Chief Executive Officer Prof.

Mwenda Ntarangwi, the CS stated that his communication supersedes any other communication on the subject matter.

According to Prof. Magoha, the proposed changes in the governance and administrative structure of a public university or constituent college must be accompanied by the rationale for instituting the proposed changes, and proposed Human Resource (HR) instruments.

It is not clear whether the UoN Council followed the entire laid down legal framework including

the State Corporation Act before announcing the new changes.

In one of the interviews with the local media, UoN Vice-chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama maintained that the reforms at the university do not require the approval of the CS, adding that the positions of Associate Vice-Chancellor recently created are just mere designations that do not alter the structure of the University Charter and Statute hence do not require any gazettment.

Speaking in Gem in Siaya County during the handover ceremony of Moi University’s Odera Akang’o College campus at Yala to Maseno University, Prof. Magoha stated that vice-chancellors must know that public universities belong to the government of Kenya.

“You have no powers as chairs of councils or even the VCs, so you must consult and this is in the interest of our children. We are asking universities to transform now. It cannot be your way... the university does not belong to you,” said Prof.

Magoha.

He advised universities to ensure the human resource workforce is at 70 per cent academic staff and 30 per cent non-academic staff to avoid wastage.

12 - 26 AUG, 2021

5

EDUCATION NEWS

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C- minus KCSE mean grade JAN/SEPT

KNEC

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1 year/module C-Plain minus KCSE D KCSE Mean mean grade grade1 year/module KNEC JAN/SEPT

1 year/module REQUIREMENTS CKCSE grade KASNEB JAN/MAY//SEPTJAN/SEPT MAY/SEPT D minus Plain KCSEmean Mean grade 1year/level KNEC CONTINOUS C+ Plus KCSE Mean grade

6 Months/Section KASNEB 1 year/module

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JAN/MAY//SEPT

KNEC

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KNEC MAY/SEPT i. Admission Letter. KNEC 1 year/module Certificate in Supply Chain Management - Module 1& II D Plain KCSE Mean grade JAN/SEPT 1 year/module MAY/SEPT Diploma in Civil Engineering – Module I, II & III C- minus KCSE mean grade KNEC INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT ii.

Original and two photocopies of:1 year/module MAY/SEPT BT/03 Diploma in Quantity Survey – Module I C- minus KCSE mean grade KNEC BS/12 Account Diploma (ATD)CommunicationTechnology – Level I & II C-minus minus KCSE grade1 year/module 1year/level KASNEB JAN/MAY//SEPT IT/01 Technician Diploma in Information – DICT Module I, II & III CKCSE meanmean grade- KNEC JAN/SEPT K.C.S.E certificate/ result slip.

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Diploma in Automotive Engineering –Diploma Module I,IIin & Civil III BT/02

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C- minus Engineering – Module I,KCSE II & mean III grade

KNEC

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Architecture – Module CI minus KCSE mean grade Certificate in ComputerinApplications

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1 year/level

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BT/04 Diploma in Agricultural Engineering –Diploma TEP

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Certificate in Automotive Engineering – Module I

ME/06

Certificate in Agricultural Engineering – Module I

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BT/06EngineeringCertificate Certificate in Mechanical – Module I

ME/08

Artisan in Automotive Engineering – Level I & II

ME/09

Artisan in Agricultural Mechanics – Level I

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Driving CertificateBT/08 (B1 & C1) – LightArtisan Vehicle &in Light Truck Plumbing

Diploma in MechanicalEngineering(Plant) –Module I

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Plumbing Certificate - TEP

D- Minus KCSE and below

and Above Diploma in Civil Engineering – Module & III – Level I I, IIKCPE

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MAY/SEPT

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3 Months KNEC

KCSE Certificate

D Plain KCSE Mean grade

1 year/module

KNEC

MAY/SEPT

D Plain KCSE Mean grade MAY/SEPT

1 year/module

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D Plain KCSE Mean grade

7 Terms THE

MAY/SEPT

C- minus KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT MAY/SEPT

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ACCOUNTKNEC NAME: 1 year/module

Diploma in Agriculture – Module I, II & III

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BT/06 Diploma in Electrical Certificate in Road Construction – Module I & Electronics Engineering (Power) - Module I, II & III ME/03

EE/02

I

EE/03

grade1 year/level

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BRANCH: D KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT D-Plain Minus KCSE and below 1 year/module 1 year/levelKNEC KNEC

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KNEC

1 year/module

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MAY/SEPT

EE/05

Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Power) - Module I & II

D Plain KCSE mean grade

1 year/module

KNEC

MAY/SEPT

D Plain KCSE mean grade

1 year/module

KNEC

D- Minus KCSE and below

1 year/ level

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ME/07

Certificate in Mechanical Engineering – Module I

Electrical & in Electronics Engineering (Telecomm.) - Module I BT/09 Certificate inArtisan Building Technology –module 1

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Artisan in Electrical Installation – Module 1

Artisan in Automotive Engineering – Level ISTUDIES &MECHANICAL II LIBERAL AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP DEPARTMENT

ME/08

Diploma in Record Management Pass in relevant Diploma ME/09 Artisan in Engineering Agricultural Mechanics – Level ME/01Higher National Diploma in Automotive – Module I,III& III

LS/02

Higher National Diploma in Information Science

MAY/SEPT D- Minus KCSE and below

D Plain KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT

2 Years

KNEC

1 year/module

KNECD

1 year/module

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1 year/module

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1 year/module

KNEC

1 year/level

KNEC

1 year/module

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C- minus KCSE mean grade

1 year/module

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MAY/SEPT

C- minus KCSE mean grade

1 year/module

KNEC

MAY/SEPT

D Plain KCSE Mean grade

1 year/module

KNEC

MAY/SEPT

1 year/module

KNEC

Pass in relevant Diploma

Terms

JAN/SEPT and mean below C-Minus minusKCSE KCSE JAN/SEPT

KNEC

1 year/module

NYAHURURU KNEC MAY/SEPT

1 year/module

KNEC

1 year/level

ENGINEERING D- Minus KCSE andDEPARTMENT below 1 year/level KNECD-

Driving Certificate (B1 & C1) – Light Vehicle & Light Truck

ME/10

D Plain KCSE mean grade

2 Years

LS/01

ACCOUNT NUMBER:

MAY/SEPT

KNEC MAY/SEPT

MAY/SEPT D minus Plain KCSEmean Mean grade 9 Terms 7 CKCSE grade

1 year/module

Certificate in Agricultural Engineering – Module I

MAY/SEPT

MAY/SEPT

MAY/SEPT

C- minus KCSE mean grade

ME/06

KNEC

MAY/SEPT

D Plain KCSE Mean grade 1 year/module 1 year/module KNEC KNEC MAY/SEPT 0160296471157

MAY/SEPT C- minus KCSE mean grade

Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Instrumentation) - Module I

ME/05 Certificate in Automotive Engineering – Module I Artisan in Plumbing – Level I

1 year/module

MAY/SEPT minus KCSE mean grade

EE/04

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KNEC MAY/SEPT NYANDARUA NATIONAL MAY/SEPT KNEC KNEC MAY/SEPT POLYTECHNIC

1 year/module BT/09in Quantity ArtisanSurvey in Building Technology 1 D- Minus KCSE and mean below grade1 year/level KNEC MAY/SEPT Diploma – Module I –module KCSE KNEC C- minus KCSE mean grade 1 year/module KNEC C- minus MAY/SEPT AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING C- minus KCSE DEPARTMENT mean grade 1 year/module KNEC BANK: MAY/SEPT MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT C- minus KCSE mean grade 1 year/module BT/04 Certificate inDiploma in Architecture – Module I KNEC AG/03 General Agriculture – TEP D Plain KCSE mean grade 7 Terms KNEC JAN/SEPT EQUITY BANK ME/01 1 year/module KNEC Diploma in Automotive Engineering – Module I,II & III C- minus KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT 1 year/module ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING BT/05 Certificate in Building Technology – Module I & II DEPARTMENT D Plain KCSE Mean grade KNEC BT/03

AG/02

CONTINOUS

1 year/module

AGRICULTURE AND ENVIROMENTAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

AG/01

JAN/SEPT

MAY/SEPT MAY/SEPT ACCOUNTKNEC DETAILS

1 year/module KNEC MAY/SEPT BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

D Plain KCSE mean grade

in Road Construction – DModule I mean grade Plain KCSE

MAY/SEPT

KNEC MAY/SEPT

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1 year/module

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Production) –Module I

BT/01

MAY/SEPT C- minus KCSE mean grade

C- minus KCSE mean grade Certificate CommunicationTechnology – CCIT Module I & II BT/03 in Information Diploma in Quantity Survey – Module I

IT/02

ME/03

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JAN/MAY//SEPT

iii. Original and copy ofKASNEB leaving certifcate.

IT/03 Certificate in&Computer Applications Certificate CONTINOUS Certificate Management Skills D Plain KCSE Mean grade 3 Months6 Months TNNP JAN/MAY/SEPT Plumbing Certificate - TEP in Accounting D Plain(CAMS) KCSE Mean grade 7 Terms KNEC KCSE MAY/SEPT iv. Original and copy of birth certificate.

Artisan in Plumbing – Level I D- Minus KCSE and below 1 year/level KNEC MAY/SEPT BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT v. Your own writing materials.

Artisan in Building Technology –module 1 D- Minus KCSE and below 1 year/level KNEC MAY/SEPT 1 year/module D Plain KCSE Mean grade

KNEC

MAY/SEPT

KNEC

MAY/SEPT

KNEC 1 year/module grade1 year/level

KNEC MAY/SEPT

KCPE and Above

4 Weeks

NTSA

7 Terms

KNEC

NOTE

MAY/SEPT

MAY/SEPT

CONTINOUS Studies – Module I, II & III C- minus KCSE mean grade 1 Year /module KNEC MAY/SEPT ME/02Diploma in Computerized 1 year/module KNEC DiplomaSecretarial in Mechanical Engineering (Production) –Module I C- minus KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT LS/02 Diploma in Information Science (Library Studies) C-AGRICULTURE minus KCSE mean grade 3AND Years - TEP KNEC JAN/MAY SCIENCES DEPARTMENT ENVIROMENTAL ME/03Certificate inDiploma 1 year/module KNEC LS/03 Secretarial Studies – Module I & II 1 year/module KNECC- minus MAY/SEPT I mean grade KCSE MAY/SEPT AG/01in MechanicalEngineering(Plant) Diploma in Agriculture – Module–Module I, IID Plain & IIIKCSE C- minus KCSE meanmean grade grade 1 year/module KNECadvised MAY/SEPT - Students are to have an LS/04 Certificate in in Information Science – Module I & II D Plain KCSE mean grade 1 year/module KNEC JAN/SEPT AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AG/02 Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture – Module I C- minus KCSE mean grade 1 year/module KNEC ME/04 9 Terms KNEC MAY/SEPT Diploma in Agricultural Engineering – TEP MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT C- minus KCSE mean grade HOSPITALITY AND INSTITUTION ideal electronic gadget forMAY/SEPT internet LS/01

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AG/03 - Module Certificate Diploma in Food & Beverage I

in General Agriculture – TEP C- minus KCSE mean grade

ME/05Diploma in Catering Certificate in Automotive I KCSE mean grade and Accommodation - Module I Engineering – Module C- minus

HM/02 HM/03

Certificate in Food & Beverage - Module I & II

D Plain KCSE Mean grade

ME/06Certificate inCertificate in Agricultural Engineering – Module I Catering and Accommodation - Module I D Plain KCSE Mean grade

HM/04

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Certificate in Mechanical Engineering – Module I

Artisan in Food and Beverage – Level I

D- Minus KCSE and below

APPLIED SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

ChemistryModule I C- minus ME/08Diploma in Analytical Artisan in Automotive Engineering – Level I & II KCSE mean grade

AP/01 AP/02

Diploma in Food Science Technology - Module I

ME/09Diploma in Science Artisan in Agricultural Mechanics – Level I Laboratory Technician - Module I

AP/03 AP/04

Certificate in Food Science Technology - Module I

ME/10Certificate inDriving Certificate (B1 & C1) – Light VehicleD & Light Truck Science Laboratory Technician - Module I Plain KCSE Mean grade

AP/05

Plain KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT

JAN/SEPT access1 and online KNEC classes. year/module D Plain KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT MAY/SEPT MAY/SEPT

D Plain KCSE mean grade MAY/SEPT

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D Plain KCSE mean grade

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MAY/SEPT - Admitted students benefit from 1 year/level KNEC MAY/SEPT Government capitation and HELB D- Minus KCSE and below KNEC MAY/SEPT loan. 1 year/level MAY/SEPT D- Minus KCSE and below

KCPE and Above MAY/SEPT

COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION & TRAINING (CBET) COURSES CBT/01 CBT/02

AGRICULTURE AND ENVIROMENTAL KCPE and Above COMPETENCY CDACC JAN/MAY/SEPTSCIENCES DEPARTMENT

Welding & Fabrication – Level 4 Electrical Installation – Level 5

AG/01Electrical Installation Diploma in Agriculture – Module I, II & III – Level 3 & 4

CBT/03

D Plain KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

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COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

C- minus KCSE mean grade JAN/MAY/SEPT

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING APPLICATION AG/02Office Administrator Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture – ModuleC-I minus KCSE C- minus KCSE DEPARTMENT mean grade 1 year/module KNEC CBT/05 – Level 6 mean grade COMPETENCY CDACC JAN/MAY/SEPT CBT/04

Horticulture Nursery Management – Level 5

D Plain KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

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JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/06

AG/03Supply ChainCertificate in General Agriculture – TEP CBT/07 Management – Level 6

Counseling Psychology – Level 6

C- minus KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

C- minus KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

D Plain KCSE mean grade CDACC JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/08

Public Administration and Management – Level 6

C- minus KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/09

Community and Social Work – Level 6

C- minus KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/10

Records and Archive Management – Level 5 & 6

C- minus KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/11

Food and Beverage Production – Level 3

KCPE and Above

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/12

Ceramic Technology – Level 6

C- minus KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/13

ICT Technician – Level 6

C- minus KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/14

ICT Technician – Level 4 & 5

D Plain KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/15

Automotive Engineering – Level 5

D Plain KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/16

Motor Cycle Mechanic – Level 3

KCPE and Above

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/17

Beauty Therapy – Level 5

D Plain KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/18

Hair Dressing – Level 5

D Plain KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

CBT/19

Fashion and Design – Level 5

D Plain KCSE mean grade

COMPETENCY

CDACC

JAN/MAY/SEPT

COURSE APPLIED FOR

TITLE (TICK BOX)

Dƌ

Mrs

DATE OF BIRTH (i.e 10/9/1980)

Miss

Ms

ADRESS EMAIL:

MAY/SEPT

Application forms JAN/SEPT are downloaded from the polytechnic website:

www.nyandaruanationalpoly.ac.ke

6

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Teremi Boys shines again

School Principal, Mr Benard Wamanga.

By Leonard Angatia

T

eremi Boys High School has earned bragging rights for achieving a mean score of 7.08 in 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE) exams up from 6.41 in 2019.

Known as the epicentre of academic improvement, the school has a population of 2,335 students and has admitted 650 form ones this year.

Located in Kabuchai sub county in Bungoma County and registered as a 12 streamed school, the school has 49 teachers employed by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and 34 employed by the Board of Management (BOM).

The School Principal Benard Wamanga has transformed the school to its current status through working closely with education stakeholders. He has also spearheded unity among teachers, parents and students.

“We admit average students whom we encourage and talk to regularly. We also compare KCPE and KCSE performances

numbers of students, forcing them to begin construction of a 10 storey building to house 10 classes and uses millions to pay BOM teachers’ salaries.

The Principal appreciated Kabuchai NG-CDF led by Hon Majimbo Kalasinga for putting in place measures to ensure they construct 4 classes and sponsoring many students through the CDF kit. The BOM and school’s fraternity have constructed a dormitory to ease congestion.

Mr Wamanga is assisted in the administration of the school by 3 deputies: Mr Wilfred Khisa (Administration), Mr Martin Munoko (Academics) and Mr Paul Situma who co-ordinates both Academics and Boarding.

In the 2020 KCSE results, 313 out of the 527 candidates scored C plus and above. With

IN NUMBERS

12

streamed school,

49

teachers employed

by Teachers Service Commission (TSC

34

Mr Khisa Wilfred, Deputy Principal, (Administration).

employed by the Board of Management (BOM).

Mr Martin Munoko, Deputy Principal, (Academics).

Mr Paul Situma, Deputy Principal (Academics and Boarding).

Administration Block.

of the previous years then trigger them to work extra hard,” said the Principal.

The school faces the challenges of shortage of TSC teachers and strained infrastructure due to the high

a candidature of 541 registered for this years KCSE. The school targets a mean score of 8.5 which will be achieved through early syllabus coverage, extra remedial teaching, self-drive and high discipline among students.

We admit average students whom we encourage and talk to regularly.

We also compare KCPE and KCSE performances of the previous years then trigger them to work extra hard.

-Benard Wamanga

New dormitory nearing completion.

Students revising before end term exams.

Mang’oli George.

Director of studies.

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

7

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

St. Francis Rang’ala Girls retains top league slot in academic performance

Susan Owino, Chief Principal.

By Erick Nyayiera

S

t. Francis Rang’ala Girls High School in Siaya County is undoubtedly one of Kenya’s best performing secondary schools and has over the years developed to an institution of choice for the girl-child in the country.

Evidently, the school’s sustained stellar improvements in successive Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is thanks to a myriad of rich and wellcoordinated academic programmes by the school administration that

The School Gate.

The Tuition Block.

makes the girls get the best attention from the teaching staff.

The current student population stands at over 2300 with the new form one intake.

In the 2020 KCSE results, Rang’ala Girls produced a mean of 8.3838, an improvement from 6.77 in 2019. Its performance ranked it second in Siaya county, after Maranda Boys High School.

With its performance in last year’s KCSE, the school sent 434 out of 469 students to university.

The remaining 35 are eligible for diploma courses in medical training colleges, Teacher Training Colleges and technical training institutes.

They had A- (24), B+ (77), B (117), B- (132), C+ (84), C (26) and C(9).

Chief Principal Susan Owino says their key to secret of success is in putting all their hopes in the Almighty God. She also said that as a Catholic sponsored school, they have scheduled prayer masses every morning from Monday to Saturday before classes begin. The Sunday prayer mass is compulsory for all students as they seek divine guidance and protection from the Almighty God. Through her open-door leadership policy, Owino has opened room for a lot of consultations by teachers and students thereby creating a conducive learning environment.

She also attributed the good

Deputy Principal in charge of Academics, Mr. Rommel Odhiambo talked of Academic parenting programme where students are assigned to teachers for mentorship.

Odhiambo also talked of team teaching strategy and monitored group discussions that are scheduled after preps from 9:3011:00 pm.

“Lesson study time has made teaching perfect because a teacher will only do a topic he or she is comfortable with,” he added.

Deputy Principal in charge of Administration Caroline Odongo is proud of the tag the school enjoys in terms of discipline.

Rommel Odhiambo, Deputy Principal, Academics. performance to her dedicated teaching staff whom she mentioned have demonstrated uttermost concern for the plight of the students by ensuring their needs are addressed effectively so that they have the best mind for studying.

Owino, who is ever present in school, teaches CRE which is one of the leading subjects after producing a mean of 10.97 and registering overall subject mean of A-.

She also heaped praises on the Board of Management (BOM) and the Parents Association (PA) for supporting the school’s programmes and ensuring that they are followed and implemented to the letter.

She acknowledged the enormous support of the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). She however pleaded with the TSC for more teachers since the school has only 49 teachers employed

by TSC against the 105 needed in line with the Curriculum Based Establishment.

“In terms of ensuring good results, our strategy is to ensure syllabus coverage in due time to pave way for thorough revision,” she stated.

8.3838 The MEAN produced by the school in 2020 an improvement from 6.77 in 2019.

Chief Principal Susan Owino says their key to secret of success is in putting all their hopes in the Almighty God. She also said that as a Catholic sponsored school, they have scheduled prayer masses every morning from Monday to Saturday before classes begin.

Caroline Odongo, Deputy Principal, Administration.

“Our motto, ‘Discipline for Victory’ has enabled us churn disciplined students to Universities who never disappoint even at work places,” observed Mrs. Odongo.

She noted that the school has created a strong organogram that constitutes peer counsellors, student council and class teachers to help in guidance and counselling as well as maintain discipline.

The Chief Principal is currently putting up an ultramodern storey science laboratory complex which will ease the congestion in the laboratories.

Inspirational message.

The Science Laboratory Complex under construction.

EDUCATION NEWS

8

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

St Ignatius Mukumu Boys celebrates good KCSE results

By Shichangi Richard St Ignatius Mukumu Boys High School has consistently posted improved results in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) for three years in a row.

The school had recorded a mean of 6.3 in last year’s results, an improvement from 5.6 in 2019.

While addressing students and other stakeholders during the cel-

Mr. Sylvester Ashioya, Principal.

Aggrey Opele, Deputy Principal.

(Administration)

School Gate.

ebration of St Ignatius day, the School Principal, Mr. Sylvester Ashioya noted that the school had recorded an improvement in quality grades from A minus of 76 in 2019 to A minus of 78 in 2020. Students who qualified for university entry increased from 99 in 2019 to 131 in 2020.

The Principal expressed confidence in achieving their target of 7.0 in this year’s KCSE and increasing the number of those qualifying to university to more than 200 students.

“With our committed staff, we are up to the task,” he added.

The school has disciplined and hard working students, supportive Board of Management (BOM), good will from the politicians and an ever present sponsor Catholic church that makes it destined to greater heights in academics, sports and infrastructure development.

The school head further revealed that the school not only excels in exams, but also in sports. Its debating club had gone up to East Africa stage for contest while soccer and handball teams were heading to the regional stage before the termination of sports in schools due to Covid-19.

He expressed confidence that they will compete favourably with others upon resumption of sporting activities.

The school head said he had to improve on the school’s physical facilities by constructing four more

Godfrey Nangabo, Deputy Principal.

(Academics)

BOM Chairman, Fr Kenneth Lwile with Principal and the School Chaplain cut the cake to commemorate the event.

131

NUMBER OF STUDENTS who qualified for University entry in KCSE 2020, up from 99 in 2019. classrooms, constructing a modern gate and constructing a perimeter wall to step up security of the boys.

The Principal expressed concern that the school still needs more facilities such as hostels, expansion of the dining hall and more science laboratories to cater for the ever soaring population.

He urged the current class to focus beyond last year outcome and manage the set target.

In attendance during the event was the chairman Mukumu Boys old boys Association, Mr Nicholas Liseche with representative of the pioneer class of 1964, Mr Simon Shikanga and Vincent Itebete who collectively challenged students to focus on education and pursue career of their choice, noting that they have no excuse of not passing exams given that the school has necessary facilities in place as opposed to their time but they made it.

Early on in the day the school engaged in tree planting exercise where more than 4500 trees were planted to commemorate the day.

The school through NG-CDF Shinyalu constituency has constructed 5 classrooms under the

Student Council Leaders.

The Teaching Staff. patronage of the area MP Kizito Mugali.

St Ignitious Mukumu Boys was established in 1964 by the Brothers of Loyola and it has grown in leaps and bounds to extra county status with a population of more than 1,800 students spread in

eight streams. It was ranked fourth in the county in last year’s exams in the boys’ categories.

During the occasion both old and continuing students were awarded in different categories and teachers were also given presents.

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

9

FOCUS ON TOP SCHOOLS

Mpeketoni Boys High school records improved KCSE performance for the good performance and attributed the success to discipline and commitment.

He attributed the good performance on the team efforts exhibited by the teachers, students, parents and the Board of Management (BOM).

Currently, the school has 34 teachers from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC)

Severini Tole, Chief Principal.

By Collins Akong’o

M

peketoni Boys High School posted impressive results in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

The results put Mpeketoni Boys 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 university.

According to the Chief Principal Severini Tole, the school recorded an improvement in 2020 with a mean score of 5.77 compared to 2019 a mean of 5.233.

The school improved by a positive index of + 0.54.

Tole lauded the 2020 class

The Lamu County Deputy Governor Abdul Hakim Bwana said the county government will continue to support the school through bursaries and scholarship programmes.

Mpeketoni Boys is one of the pioneer schools in Lamu County that will take the region and the county to greater heights of development.

Among the strategies is to

planning and benchmarking 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 (BOM) 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, toilets, bathrooms, teachers’ quarters and also three classrooms.

With a 93 per cent transition for pupils joining secondary school in Lamu County, the school has put in place a raft of measures to tackle the huge number of learners ready to join it.

The school was the leading in Lamu County with 55 candidates who scored C plus and above thus qualifying to join university.

Abdul Hakim Bwana, Deputy Governor Lamu County.

and 7 teachers employed by the BOM. The school enjoys support from the local leadership and the community at large.

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

David Njoroge, BOM Chairman addressing parents during prize giving day .

Riziki Daido, Lamu County TSC Director.

improve the school performance and ensure completion of syllabus in time to allow thorough revision and

We attribute the good performance to the team efforts exhibited by the teachers, students, parents and the Board of Management.

-Severini Tole

Joshua Kaaga, Lamu 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.

10

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDITORIAL Fix worrying infrastructure gaps in schools The government should have implemented the 100 percent transmission policy after building adequate infrastructure in schools. Many teachers should also have been employed beforehand to guarantee better teacher student ratios in schools with high student population and curb teacher shortages. With high populations in schools currently, teachers should be given the first priority in vaccination against Covid-19.

A lot of concern had been raised over the reopening of schools amid Covid-19 pandemic despite the efforts put by the government to curb the spread of the pandemic. The government had to shut down schools for at least nine months and when schools reopened in October 2020, it was a phased reopening. With form ones reporting to school, it marks the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic that students across all forms will be in school together.

Implementation of the 100 percent transition policy has caused lots of concerns among teachers since schools were forced to admit high numbers of students.

Admission of high numbers of form ones in schools has seriously overstretched infrastructure. Maseno school, for instance, is expecting 650 students in form one, 100 more from the previous year. Bunyore High School is expecting 450 form ones, up from 335 in 2020 while Kisii School and Nyabururu Girls are expecting 700 form one students each. Form one admissions in some of these schools is higher than the total populations in other institutions.

Schools are feeling overstretched because of inadequate infrastructure, forcing some students to have to study in tents, dining halls, makeshift classes and even dormitories. Schools also face the problem of shortage of teachers.

The high numbers of students poses a challenge in curbing the spread of Covid-19 because maintaining social distance is now almost impossible. School performances are also impacted negatively because of overstretched facilities.

The government should, therefore, urgently commit to increasing infrastructure in schools to ensure smooth implementation of the government's 100 percent transmission to secondary school policy.

Focus on 2014 top KCPE Schools - Pages

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OPINIONS & COMMENTARIES

Upgrade school labs to boost learning The technological divide between developed and developing countries will continue to grow as long as new approaches are not adopted in the teaching of sciences and mathematics at primary and secondary schools.

Many secondary schools in Kenya are ill equipped for students to carry out experiments making the students perceive sciences as dull, theoretical as well as abstract. This in turn makes them fail to relate what they are taught with its application in the real world.

Technology will not be appropriate if students aren’t accorded a means of contextualizing it, something that should earnestly begin in our laboratories.

For Kenya’s vision 2030 to be industrialized, we need to go micro science: using affordable modern technology to enable most schools afford facilities. Physical sciences are the worst hit in most Kenyan schools from lack of access to laboratory facilities since biological sciences draw most of its practical learning materials from nature.

Adapting micro-science is good because its cost is reasonable. The biggest challenge it has is training the teachers. An example is, for Ksh 15,000 you can buy a kit and chemicals for doing experiments for 40 students, for a whole year.

As-much-as we are stuck in macroscience, learning science through the current model is a challenge since the scientific ground has shifted beneath us. We’re in the era of nano measurements, microchips, and milligrams (mg) quantities.

We have to accept that the world is going small and smaller. When students graduate they are going to use small (micro) qualities in their scientific pursuits.

All chemistry and physics practicals can be done by harnessing micro-chemistry.

Huge costs involved in the purchase of bunsen burners, gas cylinders and refilling the cylinders will be history due to the sufficiency of oil burners energy. This will bridge the

Robert Onsare gap of lack of facilities, which is prevalent in most schools in Kenya.

Micro-physics will become handy when learning electricity, electronics, magnetism, semiconductors and selenoids in physics.

For science to play its rightful role as an agent towards industrialization, teachers need to be retrained to appreciate micro-science, be armed with new methods of disseminating science and be horned with new ideas on the evolving technologies.

Colleges and universities also need to embrace micro-science for their graduates to understand and appreciate its application. It’s worth noting that our institutions of higher learning are positioning themselves towards electronic laboratories as virtual programs are gaining ground in technical and engineering learning.

The above notwithstanding, what imprisons the Kenyan learning environment is that we go to school to secure qualifications that will afford us a job. If we were learning for life, there would be a more practical approach to realities of life than what we are currently experiencing. Are our graduates from the different levels of education systems scientific, moral, spiritual and social agents of change?

If we’re training for jobs, we need to

expand our job markets to attract investors and entrepreneurs who can open up the Kenyan industry. Over the years, job opportunities for science graduates have been dwindling, thus stifling motivation from learners in schools to pursue pure and applied sciences.

Kenya needs to invest in cheap sources of electricity to add value to our raw resources before exporting. These can range from processing titanium, sodium chloride and coal to their end products. It is with this background that the Kenyan scientific, technological and engineering associations need to scale and employ new approaches of promoting scientific uptake towards a technological convergence that will usher in a practical scientific transformation in this nation.

Professionals associations have a challenge to muster their acumen to see that knowledge impacts the society positively by fostering strong linkages between the academia, the industry and the government.

This will provide interplay of sharing and transferring knowledge and research findings to be integrated in both in county and national government policy frameworks.

Scientists, technologists and engineers need to stand up and be part of the answers to the problems that are biting us since it is evident science is one of the basic answers to the prevailing problems Kenya is going through.

We cannot afford to neglect the adoption of relevant and cheap means of disseminating science at primary and secondary school levels. Micro-science is the way to go.

The Writer is a trainer at Kisii National Polytechnic in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department and a post graduate student at Multimedia University of Kenya.

Contact: robert.onsare@gmail.com

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

OPINION

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

Why communication is key in education and society Among the capabilities basic education institutions are expected to develop in learners in the ongoing curriculum reforms, is the ability to communicate and collaborate.

The Basic Curriculum Framework, a blueprint for the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC), puts communication and collaboration at the head of the seven core competencies that inform the educational experience of learners under the new education system.

The other six core abilities are self-efficacy, critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and imagination, citizenship, digital literacy and learning to learn.

Communication and collaboration is the foundation for all the other competencies.Learners cannot acquire and then apply the other competencies in their lives without communication.

Communication is the tool by which people share information which ranges from knowledge, skills, attitudes and values the people find useful .

Human beings cannot think critically or solve problems individually or in a group without communication. They also cannot

be creative or imaginative without the stimulation of ideas and feelings that communication triggers. They cannot enjoy the rights and privileges linked to citizenship, digital literacy and lifelong learning without communication.

Communication as a skill, as an aptitude and as a process, is therefore a lodestar of some sort, in the whole question about quality education. It is what makes collaboration in an organization possible.

Communication is core because proficiency in communication is central to individuals attaining their personal, group and institutional goals and realizing the very essence of their humanity individually.

“Without the ability to communicate in writing and speaking, all else a student does will be hampered.” St. Albans School observes in his books, Educating for the 21st Century, The Challenges for Parents and Teachers. What this means is that the optimal potential of a person with the best education and technical and pro-

Kennedy Buhere fessional achievements, can only be attained through possession of communication competence.

It doesn’t matter whether a person has university education.

There are people without university education that have undisputable communication abilities.

It doesn’t matter how elevated his position is in an institution. We have people at middle level positions in institutions who are wizards in communication with those they have been given the authority to lead.

What is key in all these is

Help pre-form ones accept secondary schools they have reported to After the release of the 2021 form one placements, some parents were chagrined because their children missed their dream schools. What parents forget is that places don’t make people but people make places.

When the structures in those crèmes de la crème schools were designed, they were not constructed on a land lush with many acres of diamond or constructed using bricks made of gold and diamond. They were simply built on average land using normal building materials. Afterwards, students streamed in and made those schools great.

Americans made America great. Great sons of America like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt made America to cut an imperishable niche in the annals of world history. Greatness emanates from inside and can be expressed anywhere. A lizard in Africa cannot be a crocodile in America.

In retrospect, parents who look crest-fallen because their children missed their dream schools, should press the pause button, accept the situation and help their children understand that they can blossom wherever they are planted. Students can touch the acme of academic excellence and attain peak performance in any school.

If you have a tinge of doubt, think of a student called Josaphat Kamau Mwangi who was admitted at Mioro Secondary School in Murang’a with 278 marks out of 500 marks.

Mwangi had the indomitable will to win so when he sat for

11

EDUCATION NEWS

Victor Ochieng his national secondary exams in 2018, he scooped an A- (minus).

He was loudly lauded as one of the most improved students in the whole country.

Another example is Wei Wei Secondary School which rose to stardom when it churned out one of the finest in KCSE 2009.

A journalist actually generated a jest from it when he said: Where there is a will, there is Wei Wei. As an orphan, I missed the crucial chance to join my dream school, St. Mary’s School-Yala, one of the best boys’ schools at the shores of Lake Lolwe.

I was academically-gifted, but financially-famished. So, when my dreams to join a top school crumbled , some pleasant people in our local church took me to a decimal day school called Nyamninia Secondary School.

I am grateful to God, that at the lapse of four years, I did not disappoint the well-wishers and my grizzled grandparents They are now old like hills, but ageing gracefully. I am a source of hope and help to them because I toiled

and moiled, passed exams with flying colours, matriculated into university and later found means to fend for myself and eke a decent living.

This is why I am postulating that students can shine like in any school. What is important is understanding that attitude is the foundation of success.

The Calgary Towers stands at 190.8 metres. Its total weight is 10,884 tons with 6,349 tons (60%) below the ground. What does it depict? Some of the tallest buildings that grace this globe have the strongest foundations. Zig Ziglar put it aptly, ‘It is your attitude, not aptitude, that determines your altitude.’

Attitude focuses on mind-set and beliefs while aptitude is talent Altitude in this context is the height that can be attained.

Young scholars poised to join high school should be prepared to start strong. They should be excited about it, accept and explore the new schools, think about success, adhere to rules and regulations, choose friends wisely and cultivate useful study skills.

They should have ample preparation for the exhilarating high school experience without forgetting that there will be challenges like possible change of diet,culture shock, many subjects, large classes, different style(s) of teaching and challenges in handling pocket money, The writer speaks to teachers, parents and students during form one inductions and orientations. He can be reached on email through vochieng.90@ gmail.com or through 0704420232

good communication abilities.

Communication ability makes the difference between an average person and a superior person in his or her work.

Clarity of expression, precision and logical thinking in communication is very important in conveying ideas, thoughts and feelings. These principles of communication are applicable in all communication situations: interpersonal communication, group communication, public communication, mass communication as well as intercultural communication situations or contexts.

All communication therefore must thrust before it can inform, persuade, and motivate anybody.

One of the basic functions of communication in society is to create, maintain and invigorate society and its institutions with perpetually vigorous ideas, feelings and spirit. The creation, maintenance and renewal is done through free circulation of new ideas, techniques, methods, values and attitudes which influence behaviour.

Educated people have privileged access to old and emerging information, ideas, and concepts through books, journals and exchange of ideas. They access these sources of information through reading, speaking, listening and writing which are the bedrock of communication competence.

The ability to read thought-

fully and to write is an aspect of communication competence that literate people ought to have. They should transmit the same power to students in basic education institutions.

Teachers in basic education institutions have the professional task of developing these basic skills in learners. Indeed, the best preparation for vocational education is a solid preparation in reading writing, mathematics and reasoning.

We have fiction and nonfiction books. We have books on novels, plays, anthology of poetry.

We have books which have simplified scientific and mathematical concepts for young readers.

We have reference books such as encyclopedia, biographies of great statesmen and scientists. We have Atlases.

Leisure reading of these books helps develop one’s ability to think and write for heuristic and utilitarian purposes. It also helps one to acquire knowledge about different matters.

The quantity of knowledge one has acquired through education,reading and listening is what they use to communicate their thoughts, feelings and perspectives with people.

Kennedy Buhere, is a Communications Officer at Ministry of Education kbuhere@education.go.ke

Did you know that there is miracle in teamwork?

Group dynamics improve individual’s skills which can be brought to groups to spur productivity. When you keenly look at the schools that performed so well in national exams, you will realise that there is something special in the leader that enticed peak performance. A leader might not be the best classroom teacher in the school, but a good team player who initiates and sustains cohesion and collaboration.

Such leaders exhibit empathy which conjures better collaborative spirit. Catherine Bell defined empathy as an act of imagination in which you try to look at the world from the perspective of another person, a human being whose history and point of view are as complex as your own.

A leader with these attributes recognizes other people’s emotional state and accepts their opinions in cases of disagreements. They know how to solve conflicts because they operate as families. At this point, every member of the team begins to learn about other team members and what motivates them.

A leader builds goals on the strength of the team members. A leader can work well with eagles and ducks together hence create emotional intelligence within a team.

When you walk into some of these top performing schools, you will immediately see how well things are coordinated. The schools have principals who are skilled in collaboration. They know how to balance their team’s focus on the job at hand with attention to the relationships among the members. They are aware and mindful of shared

Gilax Ngoya moods as well as of emotions of individuals within the group. Such leaders are able to influence people while managing relationships well.

They listen while suspending judgment. When they receive information, they sieve and weigh it against the truth dictated by group moods.

Staff members then develop trust. We should remember that we trust people in whose hands we have been put. Simon Sinek says, “When people feel that they have the control to do what is right, even if it means breaking the rules, then they will more likely do the right thing.”

So then, the responsibility of a leader is to provide cover for the people working below to get the work done well. In such teams, everyone knows their work and boundaries are clearly defined for the overall good of the institution.

The good results we see in schools are mostly attributed to teamwork. No person can claim he or she produced the results alone.

The writer works at Teens for Christ Africa and mentors teens. He can be reached through email: glaxngoya0@gmail.com

EDUCATION NEWS

12 AY ’S RS DE A RE

SIMPLE CROSSWORD

FEEDBACK COLUMN

Covid-19 has ravaged education sector I thank the academia for supporting education sector though the ministry has been affected badly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The disruption of learning has led to high rate of school dropouts more particularly the school girls and young boys who have joined the Boda Boda sector. Lastly, education is a collective responsibility both from parents and education stakeholders and we need to work together for the betterment of our children.- Vincent Keranda.

Address fate of TTC graduates soberly It is really painful to stay over 10 years after collage struggling with life then somebody just wakes up from their house and tells you go back to school. It only shows the higher level of inhumanity in that person. Some of these unemployed teachers fail to provide for their families because they are not financially stable. Don’t be surprised when you hear a good number of teachers have committed suicide because of being told to go back to school. Let the unemployed teacher be employed first then taken back to school when they can be able to take care of their families. Most of this teacher come from a very poor background, please help this people who have stayed close to or over 10years - Hildah Odoyo Adhiambo

Who is to blame for this mess in the delayed roll-out of the Diploma programme?

TTCs? Some P1 trainees even have school/ college fee arrears others have not been registered by TSC while some graduates who are above 41` years are yet to be employed. Please have mercy on us.. - Wilfred Nyangau

Plight of P1s: Suppose the government support retraining of this cohort 100 per cent, then it will be human and if not, it will be unacceptable and immoral since many of them do not have funds to cater for the training. And those principals who support this, is because they want to keep their jobs. - Charles Barasa.

Should schools sell buses in view of Ministry directive?

The ministry just got buses already bought. Will it be wrong if we demand those buses to be sold and our money returned? - Fred Simiyu

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

SIMPLE CROSSWORD

CROSSWORD 1: THEME: GENERAL EDUCATION

THEME: GENERAL EDUCATION

ACROSS 4. Teacher at a university

or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford).

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from which liturgical services

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relevant

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Diploma receiving or giving 10.A celebratory ICT DEPARTMENT 11. A person who helps ACROSS students knowledge, systematic meal2 years Information instruction Craft D(PLAIN) KNEC to acquire Jan, May & 56,420 Technology Septvirtue. competence or 2.AComputer conjunction 13.

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For more info contact Admin : 0202169229 Registrar: 0412011393 Email registrarcit2016@gmail.com Website website: www.cit.ac.ke

5

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Course Name

Course Level

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Artisan

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Intake

Yearly Fee

Jan & Sept

56.420

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Duration Qualifications Exam Body BUSINESS STUDIES DEPARTMENT 1 Year KCPE/DKNEC (minus) 2 years D+ KASNEB

Jan & Sept

56,420

Craft

2 years

D(PLAIN)

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Jan & Sept

56,420

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KNEC KNEC

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56,420

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KNEC KNEC

Jan & Sept Jan & Sept

56,420 56,420

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2 years 3 years

D(PLAIN) C-(MINUS)

KNEC KASNEB

Jan & Sept Jan & Sept

56,420 56,420

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Accountancy Business Administration Business Management Community, Development & Social Work Business Secretarial Studies Single & Group Project Management Cooperative Management Human Resource Management Supply Chain Management Sales & Marketing Certified Procurement & Supply Professional (CPSP-K) Certified Human Resource Professionals (CHRPK) Certified Secretaries

Diploma Diploma

2 years 2 years

C+ or Pass in relevant Diploma C-(MINUS) C-(MINUS)

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3 years

C-(MINUS)

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Jan & Sept

56,420

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3 years

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Jan & Sept

56,420

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Jan & Sept

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Jan & Sept

56,420

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3 years

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Jan & Sept

56,420

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3 years

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Jan & Sept

56,420

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3 years

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KNEC KISM

Jan & Sept Jan & Sept

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Jan & Sept

56,420

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Jan & Sept

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years 33 years

Jan, May May & & Jan, Sept Sept Jan, May May & & Jan, Sept Sept

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years 33 years

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Jan, May May & & Jan, Sept Sept

56,420 56,420

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Jan, May May & & Jan, Sept Sept

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INTERNAL INTERNAL

Jan, May May & & Jan, Sept Sept

11,300 11,300

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months 33 months

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years 33 years

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COURSES OFFERED

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3 months

P.o.Box 34-80300-Vio Computer Packages

oast Institute of Technology is a TVET institution set up by the Government under the Ministry of Education, State Department Of Technical And Vocational Training and is managed by the Board Of Governors. The Institute that was started in 1981 by the Government to provide business and technical skills for learners is situated in the Tsavo East tourist circuit in Taita Taveta County.

The Institute caters for govt sponsored and self-sponsored trainees undertaking artisan, certificate and diploma courses with the objective of acquiring relevant skills for gainful employment or self-reliance.

These training programmes lead to professional qualifications The college offers both residential and off campus training and has accommodation facilities for trainees. Coast Institute of Technology implements Government curriculum developed by KICD or KASNEB and CDACC among others reputable examination bodies. The college is staffed by the Ministry of Education through the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The Institute is committed to academic excellence and provision of quality training as embedded in our vision and mission.

We are truly humbled to congratulate Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) for the effective implementation of their mandate of regulating TVET institutions.

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Stephen N.Gofwah

4

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2 years

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56,420

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2 years

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2 years

C-(MINUS)

Diploma

3 years

C-(MINUS)

Building Construction Technology Building Engineering Technology Civil Engineering Technology

Craft

Mechanical Engineering (Plant Option)

Diploma

relevant Diploma

Professional

C+ or Pass in

CHRMPEB

KASNEB

Jan & Sept

Jan & Sept

56,420

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Jan & Sept

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BUILDING ENGINEERING 2 years D(PLAIN)

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3 years

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Food & Beverage Production, Service & Sales Catering & Accommodation Operations Food & Beverage Production, Service & Sales Catering & Accommodation Management Food & Beverage Production Management

Artisan

HOSPITALITY DEPARTMENT 5 terms D-(MINUS) KNEC

Jan & Sept

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3 years

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3 years

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Jan & Sept

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Science Lab Technology Applied Biology

Craft

2 years

APPLIED SCIENCE D(PLAIN)

KNEC

Sept

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3 years

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Sept

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Analytical Chemistry

Diploma

3 years

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Sept

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Hair Dressing & Beauty Therapy

Certificate

6 months

NITA

Sept

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C-(MINUS) CIN BIO C-(MINUS) CIN CHEM & D+ IN MATH OPEN

u t e M a i EDUCATION n

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

13

NEWS

E n t r a P O Box 377-90300 Makueni n 658649/0787294782 Email:Info@wotetti.ac.ke Web: www.wotetti.ac.ke c Solar Installation practical lesson Electronic students in a practical lesson e

WOTE TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

W

Cell: 0728

OTE TTI is a Public Institution under the Ministry of Education and registered with TVETA. The fees charged are subsidized as students admitted benefit from Government capitation of Ksh.30,000 per year. They are also assisted in applying for HELB Loans. The Institute is located next to Makueni County headquarters along Wote-Makindu road next to Makueni Girls Secondary School and opposite Makueni County Public Service Board.

Solar Installation practical lesson.

Food and Beverage students during practicals.

For more information visit our website: www.wotetti.ac.ke or apply through email: registrar@wotetti.ac.ke or Call 0728 658649/ 0115779565/ 0787294782 or Visit our office.

G COURSES AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER INTAKES

a

DIPLOMA COURSES DURATION 3 YEARS t e S. Course Name N O

1.

Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Power, Instrumentation, Telecommunication Options) Module I, II & III 2.

Automotive Engineering Module I, II & III 3.

Building and Civil Engineering Module I, II & III 4.

Building Technology Module I, II & III 5.

Food and Beverage Module I, II & III 6.

Catering and Accommodation 7.

Information Communication Technology Module I, II & III 8.

Human Resource Management Module I, II & III 9.

Business Management Module I, II & III 10 Community Development Module I, II & III .

11 Supplies Chain Management Module I, II & .

III 12 Secretarial Studies Module I, II & III .

13 Banking and Finance .

14 Tourism Management 15 Information Studies

Exam Body

Min Requireme nt C- (Minus)

COURSES OFFERED CRAFT CERTIFICATE COURSES DURATION 2 YEARS Course Name

KNEC

Electrical/Electronic Technology Module I & II

Min Requirem ent D (Plain)

C- (Minus) C- (Minus)

KNEC KNEC

Automotive Engineering Module I & II Welding and Fabrication Module 1 & 2

D (Plain) D (Plain)

KNEC KNEC

C- (Minus) C- (Minus) C- (Minus) C- (Minus)

KNEC KNEC KNEC KNEC

Masonry Craft – TEP Plumbing Craft – TEP Building Technology Module I & II Food and Beverage Module I & II

D (Plain) D (Plain) D (Plain) D (Plain)

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D (Plain)

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Information Technology Module I & II Human Resource Management Module I & II

D (Plain) D (Plain)

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Business Management Module I & II

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C-(Minus) C-(Minus)

Secretarial Studies Module I & II Information Studies Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy PARALLEL COURSE DURATION 5 MONTHS CAMS ATD I

ARTISAN COURSES DURATION 1 YEAR 1.

Motor Vehicle Mechanics 2.

Masonry

D- (Minus) D- (Minus)

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3 3.

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5.

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Plumbing Electrical Installation Food and Beverage Hair dressing and Beauty therapy Driving

D- (Minus) D- (Minus) D- (Minus) D- (Minus) Adult

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ATD II ATD III CPA Foundation CPA Foundation CPA Intermediate

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Solar Training Photovoltaic/Water Heater Installation

Adult

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CPA Intermediate

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D (Plain) KNEC D (Minus) KNEC D (Minus) KNEC D C(Minus) ATD I ATD II C+ (Plus) C+ (Plus) CPA Foundatio n CPA Foundatio n

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Automotive Technician

CDACC

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I.C. T

CDACC

1.

TSC suspends teacher transfers Thousands of school teachers can now breath a sigh of relief after Teachers Service Commission (TSC) suspended the delocalization of teachers due to Covid 19 situation in the country.

Speaking during the release of the Commission’s survey titled Teacher Preparedness for Term 1, 2021-2022 School Opening on July 26, 2021 at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Nancy Macharia said only transfers forced by natural factors will be effected.

It was believed that up to 4, 000 teachers were to be delocalized this term. Most of those targeted were school heads and their deputies serving in their own home counties as well as those who had served in the same station for at most 9 years.

The delocalization policy has

Exam Body

CBET COURSES Course Name Electrical Installation -

By Staff Reporter

EXAMINATI ON BODY CDACC

greatly increased workload caused

by the email: implementation of the For more information visit our website: www.wotetti.ac.ke or apply through Competency-Based Curriculum registrar@wotetti.ac.ke or Call 0728 658649/ 0115779565/ 0787294782 orwhich Visit (CBC) is now in Grade 5.

Secondary schools will also be our office.

been a controversial issue and has

caused protests among teachers.

Teacher Preparedness Regarding the level of teacher preparedness, the Commission’s survey showed that 99.0 percent of teachers are aware of Ministry of Health (MoH) guidelines on Covid-19.

3,249 teachers (80.9 %) could access running water to wash their hands. They however cited challenges in accessing water as follows: 871 teachers (26.8%) identified inadequate facilities, 678 respondents (20.9%) cited inadequate running water, 578(17.8%) teachers cited dry boreholes, 573 respondents (17.6%) cited drought while 549 teachers (16.9%) cited long distance from water sources.

The objective of the survey was to determine the level of teacher preparedness in the management of Covid 19 during school resumption and how teachers are prepared to

Dr. Nancy Macharia, TSC CEO. support learners adhere to Covid-19 measures.

2,306 teachers (20.9%) used sanitizers. 1,265 (54.9%) said sanitizers are too expensive and re restricted for use by staff and visitors only.

Dr. Macharia urged teachers to continue observing the Covid 19

measures.

Schools reopened on July 26, 2021 for the first term of the 2021 academic calendar . The calendar is an adjustment of the traditional January- December school cycle that was altered by the closure of learning institutions in March last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Term 1 ends on October 1, 2021 and learners will have a week’s break from before resuming for the second term which will run until December 23, 2021. Third term will run from January 3 to March 4 of 2022.

Term 1 Possible Challenges The survey indicated that 30 per cent of teachers were also concerned about how Covid-19 would be managed in overcrowded schools as the country anticipates the fourth wave of the disease.

23 per cent of teachers predicted a rush to cover the syllabus as one of the major hurdles they face this term and 13 per cent of teachers predicted a

anticipating a surge in population with the Form 1 students admission that begun on August 2 2021.

Over stretched infrastructure and congestion in schools was another challenge cited.

“We are aware that with the return of all 15 million learners to the classrooms, resources will be more constrained. As teachers, we must adopt more innovative measures to ensure learners get quality teaching,” noted Dr. Macharia.

To ease congestion, the TSC boss revealed that the Commission will be posting 8,914 teachers to schools this year.

The teachers also expressed concern about nonpayment of fees by parents because of the impacts of Covid 19. Implementation of CBC and Competency Based Assessment (CBA) were also cited as challenges.

14

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

COAST KILIFI

TAITA TAVETA

Poor academic qualifications cited as reason for underdevelopment

Four Adult Education schools established in Taita Taveta

skills and qualifications from its people.

The FoundaBelow average acation’s Executive Didemic performance and rector, Peter Angore, inadequate competitive said plans are underskills have been cited as way to expand the the reasons Kilifi County scholarship to those lags. willing to join PolyImarika Sacco fountechnics and Technidation chairman Renson cal Vocational TrainNdoro said the status quo ing Institutes for has seen local residents short term courses. constantly miss out on “Upon comquality jobs hence pushpletion of their ing the County down studies,we shall link the slopes of poverty and Imarika Sacco officials presenting the sponsorship cheque for needy, bright students in Kilifi them to Imarika marginalization.

Sacco where they Speaking during the County. Photo/Hilton Mwabili can get entrepreissuance of Ksh 909,877 neurial education cheque to 40 beneficiasources into maximum benefits. ries of foundation’s scholarship He added that the foundation and small loans to start up Small program, Ndoro said the situation is keen to help the Coastal region and Medium sized Enterprises,” made it impossible for locals to at large which had been left be- said Angore. convert the region’s valuable re- hind due to inadequate competitive

By Our Reporter

By Hilton Mwabili

Four secondary Adult Education schools have been established in Taita Taveta County.

Speaking to Education News from Wundanyi town recently, Taita Taveta county director of Adult education, Ms. Christine Nzige urged parents in the county to fully co-operate and enrol form two school dropouts to secondary schools near them to pursue education.

She further asked all education stakeholders in the region to ensure children go to school without fail,

County boosts bursary fund to Sh170 million

Kilifi tackles teenage pregnancy menace

By Malachi Motano

Teenage pregnancies in Kilifi will soon be a thing of the past as the county moves closer to winning the battle against it.

The County, in partnership with The Challenge Initiative (TCI) is scaling up family planning education so as to reduce early cases of pregnancies that have been rampant in the county over the years.

The county increased its family planning project financial allocation from Kshs 5.1 million in 2018 to Ksh 15 million for 2020/2021 financial year . Teenage pregnancies

have dropped from 31 percent to 14 percent within the same period.

Kilifi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Karisa Dadu said the project had also improved maternal health in the county.

Kenneth Miriti, the County Reproductive Health Co-ordinator

15 million Current Family Planning Project contribution from 5.1 million in 2018

said that the TCI family planning agenda also has an aim to eradicate poverty in the region.

Miriti also lauded the male gender for embracing the family planning education project, stating that 84% of men are now discussing the methods with their partners compared to only 34% in the past 3 years.

Addressing journalists during the training at Silver Plan, Kilifi county Leader of Youth Advisory Council Leyla Abdulheid lauded the initiative for the tactical approaches in co-ordinating family planning services among the youth in the county.

TANA RIVER

Call to enrol rescued girls at literacy centres

By Tsozungu Kombe

Parents in Tana River County have been asked to enrol their daughters rescued from early marriages in literacy centres so that they can pursue education instead of idling at home.

Speaking to Education News from Hola town recently, Tana River County Director of Adult Education Mary Komora said the government has employed adult education teachers in the region to teach adult learners and there is no reason for the young

Mrs. Mary Komora, Tana River County Director of Adult Education.

mothers not to join the literacy centres to pursue education.

She said parents should take the education of their children seriously for rapid development to be realized in the region.

She attributed the high dropout rate among school girls in the county to early pregnancies and early marriages.

She urged all education stakeholders in the region to work as a team and return all young mothers to school.

Lamu county TSC Director retires

By Our Reporter

Lamu county Teachers Service Commission (TSC) director, Ms. Mwanasiti Mwakibonje has retired from the Public Service.

Speaking to Education News from her home in Kwale county recently, Ms. Mwakibonje said she

retired after working as TSC director for six years.

She was a secondary school teacher before being appointed to serve as TSC deputy director in different counties in Coast region.

She has been replaced by former Mombasa county TSC deputy

director, Ms. Riziki Daido.

Mwakibonje asked education stakeholders in the county to accord her successor the necessary co-operation to enable her discharge her duties efficiently and effectively.

since education services had been brought to their doorsteps.

Ms. Nzige noted that all the four sub counties in the county (Wundanyi, Mwatate, Voi and Taveta) have secondary adult education schools.

She also urged stakeholders in the area to ensure all class six dropouts are enrolled in literacy centres.

Arguing that education is the fundamental key to development, Ms. Nzige urged county residents to support adult education so as to promote literacy in the region.

Dephence Manga

By Michael Oduor

Taita Taveta County government has increased the bursary, education loan and scholarship allocation to Sh170 million in 2021 up from Sh150 million the previous year.

Speaking while commission-

ing the induction of ward bursary committees, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Dephence Manga said the scholarships will ensure there is a 100 percent transition to secondary schools in the region.

“My department is committed to ensuring that our youths are well educated and fit for future job market demands which will be achieved through supporting them either through scholarships, education loans or bursaries,” stated CECM Manga.

He said students who scored 300 marks and above in KCPE will receive a four-year scholarship for their secondary education.

His colleague Philip Mwangwale said the induction meeting was aimed at training the committees on accountability to ensure transparency and non-discrimination in the process of awarding scholarships.

KILIFI

Education stakeholders asked to give attention to girl-child

By Tsozungu Kombe.

Education stakeholders in Ganze sub county, Kilifi county have been urged to work as a team in a bid to give the girl-child education great attention.

Speaking to Education News in his office at Kang’amboni village recently, Mwahera location senior chief, Mr. Alfred Safari Deri decried the high dropout rate among school girls in Ganze sub county.

He added that the high dropout rate had reached alarming levels and drastic measures should be taken to arrest the prevailing situation.

The administrator attributed the high dropout rate to early marriages and pregnancies.

“The parents are to blame for failing to take great care of their daughters”, Mr. Deri noted.

He also asked parents to return all their daughters who had given birth to school to enhance levels of education in the area.

Mr Deri said the government had introduced free and compulsory primary education countrywide and warned parents who refuse to take their children to school of dire consequences.

Alfred Safari Deri, Mwahera Location Senior Chief.

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

15

CENTRAL KIAMBU

Family Bank issues scholarships to 110 needy students

NYERI

Alarm raised over bhang use in girls’ schools

By Asa Maina

Students who benefited from Family Bank full sponsorship for their secondary education pose for a photo with Governor James Nyoro (centre) accompanied by parents and guardians.

By Felix Wanderi The Family Group Foundation, a subsidiary of the Family Bank has spent Ksh 30 million to sponsor 110 needy form one students.

The ‘Tufuzu na elimu’ scholarship programme will foresee the students’ secondary education for four years.

Speaking at the Kiambu county government headquarters in Kiambu town, the foundation’s board of trustees chairman Francis Muraya said that over the years, the foundation has spent over Kshs 150 million on

scholarships.

11 counties which include Kiambu, Nyeri, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Mombasa, Makueni, Nakuru, Meru, Murang'a, Kajiado and Kisumu each had 10 students set to benefit from the scholarship.

“We are happy to partner with the county government to help needy students get to school. I urge parents and guardians to support their children,” said Muraya.

Governor James Nyoro, who graced the occasion, said the county government has partnered with wellwishers who supplement the county bursary fund to support the education

Parents urged to guide school girls to avoid teenage pregnancies

of needy children within the county.

Kiambu county executive in charge of education Mary Kamau said that the county bursary fund has risen from Ksh 100 million in the last financial year to Ksh 190 million this financial year.

She added that they are set to reach out to 25,000 needy students.

Titus Muya, the founder of the bank, said that through the bank’s social arm, they decided to chip in and aid needy students in the country.

“The bank is looking into giving more scholarships in the future. We are offering scholarships as a way to give back to the society,” said Muya.

By Asa Maina Abdication of responsibilities by parents is to blame for teenage pregnancies among school girls, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has said.

Kahiga said that if parents fully involve themselves in guiding learners, teenage pregnancies can be avoided.

Kahiga expressed disappointment in the fact that some female beneficiaries of government scholarships were expecting.

He said most females got pregnant during the Covid-19 partial lockdown . He also said they should be allowed back to school after de-

livery so that they continue with their studies.

He was speaking during the commissioning and disbursement of cheques for the third cohort of the Nyeri governor’s scholarship where 60 students will benefit.

County Executive Committee Member for Education Margaret Macharia urged the beneficiaries to study hard.

The County Government also issues out Elimu Fund Bursaries where 10,000 students wil benefit this finanical year. to sars.

In the current financial year 2021/22, Ksh 160 million has been set aside for the Elimu Fund kitty.

Nyeri Central Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi. Photo/Asa Maina

Speaking during the commissioning of the 2021 class of Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarship programmes at Nyeri primary school, Mwangi urged beneficiaries of the scholarship not to engage in such bad behaviour but to concentrate on their studies.

"Such vices are the reason why people join secondary schools with high marks but post dismal performance in secondary schools,’"he said.

The managing director of Equity Bank Kenya Gerald Warui, said over 37,000 wings to fly applications and 45,000 Elimu scholarships were received but only 10,000 applicants were lucky to be picked.

In Nyeri, 932 applications were received but only 105 were selected (41 for wings to fly while 64 for Elimu scholarship).

Warui encouraged other corporate institutions, well-wishers, the National Government –Constituencies Development Funds and the county government to assist the 827 unsuccessful applicants.

The event was also graced by Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga.

Equity wings to fly programme was rolled out in 2010 while the Elimu scholarship programme was started in 2020.

Kagongo Primary old boys offer scholarships to needy learners

By Asa Maina

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Nyeri Central Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi and other officials during disbursement of cheques to beneficiaries. Photo/Asa Maina

Nyeri Central deputy county commissioner Joseph Mwangi has decried the increase in bhang smoking and other vices in girls’ boarding secondary schools.

The commissioner said that 6 students had been expelled from one of the schools in Nyeri Central sub county after they were found with bhang.

"The students sneak in marijuana when reporting to school after holidays or mid-term breaks.

The vice has spread to many girls schools causing indiscipline," he

said.

Old boys of Kagongo primary school in Nyeri County, have formed an organisation that will offer scholarships to needy learners from the institution.

Kagongo primary school alumni organization chairman John Gathenya said the organization registered as a Community Based Organization (CBO) will also help improve the school’s infrastructure and equip the school with computers, books and internet and software.

He said they have kicked off by paying fees for secondary school students but their aim is to sponsor needy students through secondary, college and university education.

The CBO has already offered scholarships to three students .

It will be marshaling resources from alumni, international and local donors, well-wishers and people of goodwill to fund its activities.

Gathenya called on those who have succeeded in life to go back to their former schools and help.

He said that by improving education and helping students to transition, the number of idlers, crime and other vices will reduce.

The CBO had its members

grow from the initial 21 to 65 members after its registration a month ago and it is targeting a membership of over 1,000.

“Other areas of intervention will cover bench-marking with the best performing schools, pupils and students’ welfare such as feeding, provision of uniform, face masks and sanitizers among others,” he said.

The 26 KCPE candidates were

given shoes, socks, face masks, pens and pencils to motivate them.

The three scholarship beneficiaries: Brenda Nyambura who is joining Mahiga Girls, Denis Mugo who is joining Kiamuya secondary and Evanson Muraya who is joining Endarasha boys thanked the alumni for the help.

Evanson Muraya, joining Endarasha Boys, receives a school fees cheque from retired former Kagongo primary school head teacher Samuel Githaiga. Looking on is the alumni organisation chairman John Gathenya.

16

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

EASTERN

EMBU

Embu professionals to assist students register for TVET courses

By Kamundia Muriithi A group of professionals from Embu County has partnered with the Kenya University and College Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to fast track the registration of students for technical courses.

Embu County Professionals Development Association (ECPDA) targets about 6,000 form four leavers who failed to attain grade C+ for direct admission into universities.

ECPDA Chairperson Dr. Josephine Kibaru Mbai revealed their plan to assist the students in registering for tertiary programmes at TVET institutions, saying lack of knowledge concerning TVETs posed a big problem to the students.

ECPDA has four flagship areas of operation prioritizing on education through visiting local primary and secondary schools across the county for mentorship programmes “Through the mentorship programme, the county has recorded an increase in the number of candidates qualifying for universities. In KCSE 2020, the county had 15 A plain compared to 1 in KCSE 2018 when we started,” said Ms Mbai.

ECPDA also organizes multisectoral clinics where members of the public meet different professionals for advice and guidance

MAKUENI

Jubilation as country’s top KCSE pupil receives scholarship

By Makoma Musyoka

University of Embu Vice Chancellor Prof Daniel Mugendi welcomes Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi to the institution for a bonding session of Embu County Professionals Development Association. on various issues such as land and health.

The association, in partnership with the University of Embu has closely been working on the establishment of a school of engineering.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Daniel Mugendi said the progress of establishing the school is at an advanced stage awaiting approval by the Council of University Education (CUE).

“We are optimistic that we will

It was a moment of jubilation as the country’s top pupil in KCPE 2020 received full sponsorship to pursue secondary education.

Faith Mumo, who risked missing secondary education due to financial problems, She was selected to join Kenya High School alongside other form ones.

Her father, Paul Mumo, an accountant lost his job last year following the economic recession caused by Covid-19 which spelled doom for millions of other Kenyans .The mother was unable to raise her school fees .

Faith, who scored 433 marks out of a possible 500 marks at

have agreed to sponsor her school fees in full for four years," said the MP. The MP revealed that 75 needy students in the constituency who were identified after the release of KCPE results will also benefit from scholarships.

"We have set aside Sh34 million in our CDF kitty which will go to education bursaries targeting all needy students .None of them should fail to achieve their academic goals due to lack of fees," noted Mule.

Mr Mule also appealed to well -wishers to join hands with his office in ensuring children from poor backgrounds go attend school.

Faith could not hold back

enrol the first cohort of engineering students at the end of this year.

The University will continue collaborating with the professionals to assist and inspire the students,” he said.

Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi urged the professionals in Embu to strive to give back to the society as a way of lifting the lives of the less fortunate.

MAKUENI

County TSC director tells teachers seeking jobs to report con men

By Lydia Ngoolo Makueni County Teachers Service Commission (TSC) director Alex Cheruiyot has sent a stern warning to con men who solicit funds from teachers seeking employment.

He urged applicants to bear in mind that TSC strictly follows the set guidelines during the recruitment process.

Speaking less than a month in his new office, the director reminded teachers to be more alert since there is no short cut in employment.

He also warned school princi-

Makueni TSC director Alex Cheruiyot at his office.

Photo/Lydia Ngoolo

pals against asking for money to admit students to schools and urged parents to report such cases.

The director promised to take Makueni to greater heights by offering a conducive environment to teachers and learners.

"I will work with all education stakeholders and all those geared to support education. I can't forget members of fourth estate who help in disseminating the right information to the public," added the director.

The TSC director was transferred from Isiolo to replace Catherine Mwenda who was transferred to Muranga in the same capacity.

Matungulu MP Stephen Mule (left) presenting a cheque for Sh120,000 which will cater for Faith Mumo's one year school fees at Kenya High School and other essential requirements. Centre is Faith and her parents.

Kari Mwailu primary school in Makueni county, was among those who were sponsored by Matungulu MP Stephen Mule.

"She is among the students whom I have sponsored. Annually, I sponsor candidates who score good marks under a special bursary category," said the lawmaker.

Mule issued a cheque for Sh120,000 which will cater for Faith's one year school fees and other essential requirements.

"Faith Mumo made Matungulu proud and as CDF board we

tears as she thanked the MP for resuscitating her grand dream.

"I want to thank the CDF committee and particularly the MP for being kind. I promise to work hard in school. In future, I will also make dreams come true for other girls," said Faith.

Her dream to pursue a career in neurosurgery had been rocked by doubts and despair after her parents indicated they were unable to afford her education at Kenya High School.

MERU

School heads warned against giving learners poor diet

By John Majau Meru County Chief officer for Public Health John Inanga has warned that poor diets put learners at risk of getting infected with Covid-19 and other diseases.

Speaking in Meru town, Dr. Inanga said that unbalanced diets may lead to malnutrition or low immunity among learners making them prone to diseases.

Dr. Inanga’s remarks comebarely a week after the Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha warned school administrators against asking parents to pay more than 25 percent of the total government capitation per student for lunch and boarding fees.

He asked school administrators to consider feeding their learners with fruits to boost learners' immune system and to ensure that classrooms and dormitories are well

ventilated and with sufficient windows and doors.

"Ventilations and sufficient windows will enable enough fresh air and light hence provide a health environment during the Covid-19 pandemic," Inanga said.

He also called on teachers to ensure they are vaccinated against Covid-19 and to ensure that learners wear masks and follow other prevention guidelines.

According to County Health

Department, Meru County has experienced a reduction in Covid-19 cases especially in prisons where the numbers had been surging.

Dr Inanga warned that the region is not yet safe from Covid-19 pandemic and called on residents to continue adhering to Covid-19 government protocols.

According to Dr Inanga, men are the most affected compared to Meru Chief Officer for women.

Health John Inanga. Photo/ John Majau

17

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

Mixed fortunes as I am picked to sit in the new town planning committee

A

t a time like this when the economy is suffering a serious downturn due to the ravages of the corona virus pandemic, any side hustle that can bring bread to the table is more than welcome.

When a local CEC in charge of trade and development came to me suggesting that I be part of the Mavumbi town planning committee, I gladly accepted the offer.

“This town needs a facelift and one way of doing so is by ensuring that we embark on serious planning especially within the CBD” the county minister enthused.

I concurred with him knowing well that without proper planning in this fast growing town, a time would come when access to basic services like sewage ,solid waste clearing and even fire services will be hard due to unplanned structures blocking virtually every access

route.

The poor planning of Mavumbi town reminded me of our house constructed by my father shortly after independence.

Initially the house looked quite orderly, at least by the old standards, with three bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

However, as the family grew and more members came to live in our home, my father’s house began developing a rather ugly outlook that did not conform to any architectural designs.

From one corner, a room covered with iron sheets was extended. Years later, another external room was joined from the back and the process continued. In the end, my father’s original plan was lost and what stood out was a confused structure. One wrong turn to the kitchen and you ended up in

By Pascal Mwandambo the toilet.

Be that as it may, my father’s old house is a microcosm of the poor planning in our towns and cities, a problem that town planners must grab by the horns.

During our first meeting

at the former Mavumbi town hall which has now been taken over by the county government, the main agenda was relocating the traders squatting at the bus park to the town market.

“We have to stamp our authority and make the traders understand that what we are doing is not a punishment but an opportunity for them to conduct business in a spacious and conducive environment” the trade CEC had told the first committee meeting.

I also raised the issue of the traders’ security especially those who had put up structures under electricity power lines.

“Should there be a slight mishap involving electric power, those traders risk death or serious injuries” I had opined.

The meeting went on well into the evening, with Bolingo, a trader in day old

Big-hearted alumni visit school Principal 32 years later

By Lydia Ngoolo

well and preparing for tomorrow.

Discipline was the key but nowadays it has lagged behind even in many workplaces. You cannot succeed without discipline,” he noted.

The former student, during his candid talk urged the society to seriously rethink over values such as discipline and hard work. Furthermore, he noted that there was no more resilience especially amongst the youth, giving examples of those who in many cases end up quitting jobs for lack of discipline.

Baringo Boys High School’s current principal Peter Owino said they are now benchmarking with the era that the school was in during Wambua’s tenure, adding that former students are very proud of the school.

He could literally be in every corner of the school; how he did it, is still a wonder in the minds of the old students of Baringo Mixed Secondary School. They nicknamed him OJ and referred to him as a great teacher who should be emulated by all in discipline and performance.

John Chege who spoke on behalf of the old students said they did The old boys and girls pose for a photo with their not know how to thank Mr Wambua former Principal. Photo/Lydia Ngoolo enough because, were it not for the discipline he instilled in them, they "It is purely a boy's school nowa- County. could not be where they had reached days with many students from Rift "Let me officially start by acceptin life.

Valley, Coast, Kisumu and many oth- ing my nickname Mr. OJ. Students "We did all sorts of nasty things er parts of the country and currently are funny but loving at the same time. as students but he could always catch with a population of 1,100. The I cannot deny the fact that they hated us and the rest was history. He trained school tops in Baringo and me for disciplining them but they us and we had no option to obey we will make sure it never later appreciated it. This should go whether willingly or not. The teachlags," Owino said. down the history .I cannot imagine ers were disciplined too since he led The retired principal seeing my students visit me after 32 by example," said the alumnus. ,Mr Fredrick Wambua years since I left the school," said and Upon making mistakes, he could Nthaku who taught at the overwhelmed Wambua. give girls and boys alike serious punschool between 1982 The former principal observed ishments like washing pavements to 1989 serving that he only punished them for their around the school compound as deputy and mistakes but he loved them. It was and uprooting tree stamps. later as princi- not just about caning and punishWhen a student’s mispal could not ments as he could offer counseling take was overboard, he express his joy as well. could send them home after about 50 He went on saying that during accompanying them of his students his service he had no time to waste with countless strokes from all over because the students kept him busy. of the cane. It made the country He could not resist but had to comthem learn through the paid him plain that the current generation is not hard way, something a visit at disciplined as far as caning a student that has helped them in his Wamu- often lands teachers in trouble, citing their lives. nyu home that the bible talks about it, so ‘who "He put us through Retired principal Fredrick Wambua Nthaku with old in Machakos are we to dispute?’ student John Chege. Photo Lydia Ngoolo the drills of learning

chicks, serving as our secretary, taking minutes for future reference.

As we left the meeting with Bolingo hale and hearty after pocketing our first sitting allowance, we did not see a bunch of disgruntled traders coming our way from behind till a stone missed me by the whiskers.

Another stone hit Bolingo on the thigh, almost sending him crashing to the ground.

I ducked just in time when a wooden pole was hurled in my direction by one of the traders at the bus park as they began screaming that we were the enemies who wanted to evict them from their stalls.

I did not spare time to know what had happened to Bolingo.

I was lucky to have found a narrow route where I ducked through and emerged near a church.

From there I cleaned my bruised arms and heaved a sigh. Clearly, the new assignment would be fraught with hassles. Dealing with these traders and moving them to a new site will not be a walk in the park.

Soon after leaving Baringo, he taught at Kangundo, Machakos Boys and Kathiani before going on retirement. Wambua who has maintained a look that is younger than his age said peace and tranquility in the family matters a lot calling for prayers for him to live longer.

"I have one of the best for a wife. She is my pillar," he said amid laughter.

Throughout his service he said he has nothing to regret despite being busy all through. He urged people to start planning early before retirement age comes.

To him, no workplace is far from home. He would visit home on Saturday and go back on Sunday though he could not attend church services during home visits.

"I always wanted to arrive at school before supper and prep time to monitor and discipline my students. We used to pass so well and Baringo is still excelling," He declared.

He also urged his students working in different departments not to forget his own children when opportunities arise. He has educated four sons up-to university level and three of whom are currently looking for jobs as one is headed for greener pasture.

Wambua’s current occupation is farming where he has 1,000 mango trees among other crops. He is also a landlord and called for investment even as one continues working.

The area assistant chief Jacob Muinde said Wambua is a good person who even teaches during his retirement by coaching the community through farming.

"Not many learners remember their teachers, only a few of them which shows the good life you used to live. Pass the same to your juniors," Muinde insisted.

EDUCATION NEWS

18

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

NEWS FEATURE

By Fredrick Odiero

B

ishop Hellen Ochieng worked for many years as a banker but later realized that her calling lay elsewhere other than counting currencies.

The humble church Minister at the Holiness and Repentance Church decided to invest her time and resources in helping orphans, destitute children and widows.

That was 20 years ago and today she looks back at her philanthropic vocation with a lot of satisfaction.

She says she was moved by the plight of orphans and those who could not raise schools fees due to biting poverty which drove her to come up with an orphanage and a full time school.

She used her retirement package to start helping orphans around villages in Rabuor.

The biggest challenge ,however, is the ever rising demand for help from the local community.

The numbers keep growing from the 25 children she began with in 1997 to the thousands of less fortunate souls she has assisted.

Bishop Ochieng says that working for the less fortunate in society is a calling which requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication.

Emmanuel VISPA is always among the top schools in Nyando in the form four examinations.

The cleric says that she has over the years learnt that it is the hand which gives which also receives.

She has over the years helped orphans and other needy people in society, with thousands of needy children passing through her care.

The Director of VISPA Emmanuel High School based at Rabuor in Nyando,

Why Bishop Hellen quit banking to assist destitute kids

says many of the children she assisted hold responsible positions in society.

Some who are studying in university come back to the school to help teach students as a way of giving back to the Rabuor community.

The secondary school began with about 60 pupils after a new tuition block was officially

opened by local government representatives.

“The construction of the building was supported by donors from Northern Ireland, including assistance from Radio Cracker, TBF Thompson and other individuals,” said Ochieng.

The school which is

A section of Emmanel VISPA school buildings.

among the top performing institutions in Nyando has a population of over 400 students.

Bishop Ochieng says they have already constructed a dormitory which will soon host all girls at the institution.

“The school has over

Emmanuel VISPA school gate.

the years received support from friends and partners as well as well-wishers as we endeavour to change the lives wof the less fortunate,” states Ochieng.

Bishop Ochieng was among clerics who opposed the construction of a controversial monument by a community on a street in Kisumu.

A storm was raised by members of Repentance and Holiness Ministry associated with Prophet Dr. David Owuor who claimed the statue was satanic.

Bishop Ochieng also led worshippers in condemning the monument as idol worshiping.

A representative of a community, however, said the monument was erected to commemorate 100 years of the community’s presence in Kisumu and that it had nothing to do with religion.

“I appeal to our religious brothers not to view the monument as idolatry but a sign of peace,” the community representative pleaded.

Police officers had to use teargas canisters to thwart several attempts by the youths to burn and bring down the monument.

A prominent politician stepped in to quell tension over the monument.

“Listen to me, this

Parents and stakeholders of Tanga Primary School in Rarieda Sub County have appealed for help to improve their school’s infrastructure.

The school that has posted good results in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams over the years , produced one of the top candidates in last year’s KCPE. Eugyne Otieno Ochieng scored 404 marks out of a possible 500 and was selected to join Ribe Boys High School.

Of the 72 candidates in last year’s exams, 36 scored 300 marks and above. The school has registered 76 candidates

Mary Oluga (right) presenting a gift to top 2020 KCPE girl accompanied by her mother.

Photos/ Erick Nyayiera for this year’s exams.

The school’s head teacher George Midega expressed

concerns over the school’s infrastructure saying it needs to be fixed to guarantee the safety

of the over 500 pupils and ECDE children before things get offhand.

“Most of the structures in this school were built in 1970 and since then nothing much has been done.

Our fervent pleas to the area National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has not borne any meaningful fruit but we continue to plead for help,” said Midega The school also lacks desks, adequate water tanks and has only 8 teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission.

Bishop Hellen Ochieng working for the less fortunate in society is a calling which requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication.

Students at Emmanuel VISPA schools. Photos/Fredrick Odiero

School in Siaya with derelict classrooms dating back to 1970

By Erick Nyayiera

monument is for peace and is not satanic as some of you have been saying,” he appealed. He told the people of Kisumu not be pre-occupied with unnecessary things and instead focus on development.

Bishop Ochieng was born in 1970 at Kanyamedha, Kisumu West within Kisumu County.

She later went to Kanyamedha Primary School before proceeding to Sinyolo Secondary School and later Kisumu Girls High school where she sat her “A” level exams before joining the Standard Chartered Bank as a junior teller.

Ochieng later worked in many Stan-chart branches across the country before taking a plunge into the charitable world.

The cleric who is married and has a family, says her intention is to continue helping more people because it is a Godly act.

Inside the school’s dilapidated classrooms.

Stakeholders have acknowledged the school for its stellar KCPE performance over the years and pleaded with the government to assist rural schools to enable them give the best quality education to the country’s rural children.

Mary Oluga, a renowned educationist and a university lecturer at Agha Khan University presided over the school’s prize giving day and donated learning materials to top performers. She urged parents to motivate teachers who bear the biggest responsibility of ensur-

ing schools perform well.

“Teachers are surrogate parents who nurse children from their formative stages to when they exit to universities to choose their careers. It is very sad that when a school performs poorly, teachers are blamed,” observed Oluga.

She also supported the introduction of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) noting that it will be able to identify the skills and abilities of a child and scale them up.

19

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

350 public primary schools to pilot indigenous languages this term

By Staff Reporter 350 public primary schools have been selected by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to pilot the teaching of indigenous languages in the first term of the 2021 School Calendar which commenced on July 26, 2021.

This is contained in the Ministry’s circular dated July 8, 2021 which was addressed to all Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education as well as head teachers of Primary Schools.

The circular, which was meant to give implementation guidelines for Foreign and indigenous languages in upper primary grades (Grades 4- 6) will also see a number of selected primary schools pilot the teaching of foreign languages like French and Germany as the government gears towards full implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Upper Primary, after a full roll out in the Early Years Education (EYE), covering Pre-Primary 1 and 2 and Grades 1 to 3.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry’s State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education Dr. Julius Jwan directed school heads of the selected schools to ensure that they have allocated two lessons in a week for the same.

Schools not be participating in the programme have been directed to utilize the two lessons for Teacher Professional Development activities.

The circular also stated that secondary school teachers identified to participate in the ongoing pilot programme will be required to teach in primary schools.

Dr. Julius Jwan, Principal Secretary in the Ministry’s State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education Dr.Jwan stated that the teachers will receive specific guidelines on teacher management from TSC and that the government will provide learning materials for foreign and indigenous languages in a bid to support learning.

Learners will be expected to select one of the subjects from the cluster of foreign and indigenous languages.

Both public and private schools not participating in the pilot study can apply for approval to introduce the new subject as per the directorate of Quality Assurance and Standard Guidelines.

The 350 public primary schools selected for implementation of indigenous languages were derived from 28 counties with around 19 indigenous languages selected for piloting.

Coast will have the largest number of selected indigenous languages with 10 primary schools selected to pilot

Youth urged to acquire additional skills

Chiduruma, Chidigo, Kitaveta, Kigiriama and Kipokomo indigenous languages.

In Eastern, 30 schools have been selected to pilot Kikamba, 10 schools selected to pilot Kitharaka and 10 schools selected to pilot Kiborana In Western, Kibukusu and Kimaragoli will be piloted in 20 schools each from the counties of Bungoma and Vihiga while Central region will pilot Kikuyu in 40 selected primary schools .

Nyanza will have Dholuo piloted in 20 schools in Kisumu and Siaya counties, while Homa Bay county will pilot Suba. 20 schools in Kisii will pilot Ekegusii.

North Eastern region will pilot Kisomali in 30 primary schools .

In Rift Valley, Maa and Kalenjin languages will be piloted in 30 schools each, with Turkana having 20 schools and Kikuyu having 10 schools piloting the language.

Kenya is believed to have more than 60 indigenous languages. The country’s official languages are English and Swahili. English is spoken to a high standard in the tourism industry while Swahili is an East African lingua franca that originated from the coast and spread inland along trade routes in the early 19th century.

Most languages spoken locally belong to two broad language families of Bantus and Nilotes, spoken by the country’s Bantu and Nilotic populations respectively.

The Cushitic and Arab ethnic minorities speak languages belonging to the separate Afro-asiatic family, with the Hindus and British residents speaking languages from the Indo-European family.

By James Wakahiu Youths studying in technical colleges have been urged to be more aggressive in acquiring additional skills so as to have a head start in both the job market and in seeking self-employment.

“Acquiring skills doesn’t mean you will be assimilated directly in the job industry,” said Nick Odhiambo during a webinar to celebrate the World Youth Skills Day under the theme “Reimagining Youth Skills Development: Putting Private Sector at the Centre Stage.” The webinar was hosted by KEPSA to mark the occasion.

Odhiambo narrated his journey as a young person who gained skills through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and how he was able to commercialize them during a recent virtual meeting held to celebrate this year’s World Youth Skills Day hosted

by Egerton University.

Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Foundation chairman Eng. Patrick Obath said the private sector can still do more to be at the centre stage to assist the youth and the TVET sub-sector .He also shared insights on how to diversify secondary and higher education streams to create equity Mount Kenya University pro-Chancellor, Dr Vincent Gaitho said supporting the youth in gaining the relevant skills to improve employability and entrepreneurship is the only way to support development of the economy.

Supporting the youth in gaining the relevant skills to improve employability and entrepreneurship is the only way to support development of the economy. -Dr Vincent Gaitho Mr Stanley Maindi, Director, Technical Services and Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) addressed the challenge of mismatch between what academia is producing and what the labour market requires.

Davis Waithaka from Elimu holdings said private sectors can provide support by investing in the ICT infrastructure in partnership with the government .It can also provide affordable financing and education through provision of the specifications required from the small businesses.

Mr Tom Mulati, Director of Technical Education, and Ministry of Education talked of the need to have a structured engagement, both at the national and county levels so as to have continuous engagement.

“The sector board advocates for policies that will not only improve the skills-set of our nation but will ensure both students from public and private institutions are optimally trained,” said Kerebi Ms Priscilla Kerebi, the vice chairman of the KEPSA Education Sector Board.

Kuppet’s push for independent professional regulator is realized

By Roy Hezron The quest for Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) to have an independent professional regulator in the teaching service has been realized after the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) task force featured it in its final report.

According to the union, the regulator would create the framework for continuous professional development, ethical standards and remedies for emerging challenges including mental health issues and rehab services.

The union’s National Chairperson and Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba in October last year maintained that the teachers’ professional body be included in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report arguing that there should be a special body to deal with teachers professionalism so that Teachers Service Commission (TSC) can only remain as employer.

According to the

Omboko Milemba, KUPPET National Chairman.

Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) task force report which was launched and adopted on February 9, 2021 by President Uhuru Kenyatta at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, there was a recommendation that the major education stakeholders should form a joint professional

regulatory body.

“Ministry of Education (MoE), Teachers Service Commission (TSC), teachers unions, head-teachers and principals’ associations and universities will establish a joint educators’ professional regulatory body,” reads the report in part.

This will be the first time in the country the government is establishing such a joint educators’ professional body for the teaching profession since it will comprise teachers and lecturers from basic and tertiary institutions.

It will function like other professional bodies and associations in the country

‘

This will be the first time in the country the government is establishing such a joint educators’ professional body for the teaching profession - Report

Akelo Misori, KUPPET Secretary-General. like Council of Legal Education and Law Society of Kenya (LSK) for lawyers, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) for accountants, Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) for nurses, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) for medical and dentist practitioners

among others.

There has been an outcry from teachers notably through their unions that TSC powers should be reduced: it should only employ the teachers and the responsibility of regulating them including discipline be placed to a different body or organ.

Currently, there is no standard body that regulates the teaching profession in the country since teachers and lecturers from different levels of learning are subscribed to different regulatory bodies and professionals.

The union has urged its members to remain patient since the negotiations for signing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will be launched once the country’s economy improves.

The union’s Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima told Education News recently that once the negotiations start, the basis will be the proposals they forwarded to the employer. The negotiations are set to commence within a year.

20

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

Scaling the heights of innovation and training in western Kenya SHAMBERERE TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE P.O.BOX 1316-50100, Kakamega

To provide quality human resource through Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

TEL: 0739922223, E-mail: shambereretti@yahoo.com

(KNEC), Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (KASNEB) and National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), among others.

The institute has been a powerhouse in various cocurricular activities notably music, athletics and ball games – football, netball, volleyball and rugby.

In 2019, the college Music team went up the National Music Festivals and managed to bag three trophies and a number of certificates. The team emerged position one in African cultural group dance and number two in African folk songs category and Kiswahili choral verse.

Scouts and Girl Guides from the institution also participate in various national events in different parts of the country.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the college has partnered with Yara – a farm inputs company - to train local farmers on modern farming methods including buying certified seeds and fertilizer and use of chemicals to eradicate

By Tindi Kuchio

S

ince the establishment of Shamberere Technical Training Institute slightly over a decade ago, engineering courses have continued to attract the highest number of students.

According to the latest statistics from the institution, Building and Civil Engineering is leading in enrolment followed closely by Electrical, Automotive and Mechanical Engineering in that order. 1, 422 trainees out of the total student population of 2, 280 are pursuing engineering courses. The college is a Centre of Excellence in Mechanical Engineering.

The sharp increment in enrolment levels has been attributed to the aggressive marketing strategies employed by the institution to push up the number of students pursuing engineering, science and technology courses.

Speaking to Education News in her office a couple of days ago, the Institution’s Principal, Judith Akaranga revealed that Agriculture, Business Studies, Food & Beverage, Clothing Technology and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) courses were also very popular among students.

She confirmed that the training facility had integrated special needs in their training system by admitting over 20 students with hearing impairment and other forms of physical disabilities to pursue Clothing & Textile, Food & Beverage and Plumbing courses.

“We have hired a Sign language interpreter and have also trained two of our instructors in Kenya Sign language. The Public Service has already posted one trainer who has specialized in Kenya Sign Language to Shamberere,” said the Principal.

She also confirmed that the college had mounted two Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) courses in engineering and one in Food and Beverage.

The courses include; Artisan in Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Artisan in Welding and Fabrication and Diploma in Food Production in Culinary Arts.

The institution has complied with the presidential directive of establishing a driving school in all Technical and Vocational

Our Vision To be a Centre of Excellence in Engineering Technology, Innovation and Action Research in Africa.

Our Mission

Judith Akaranga, Principal.

weeds.

The institution’s Christian Union group visited Tumaini Miles of Smile Children’s Home in Malava Sub-County where they donated foodstuffs and clothing.

As part of its incomegenerating activities, the institution plants maize which cuts down on the cost of purchasing the same for local consumption and the college kitchen catering team sells subsidized meals to students at a fee.

According to the Principal, the institution also generates income from its hostels which are usually allocated to students on first-come –first- served basis.

“We hire out our guest house for various functions at a fee and also generate some money from the advertisement and the subsequent competitive bidding of our tenders. We also offer computer packages and part-time courses,” explained Akaranga.

She further noted that

Education Training (TVET) Curriculum Development institutions in the country.

Assessment and Certification The college administration Council (CDACC), Kenya has completed the construction National Examinations Council of two tuition blocks- a storey one with nine lecture rooms and a separate one made up of four rooms. Phases two and three of the storey tuition block will be rolled out as soon as funds cont next page... become available.

“We have also put up a male hostel with accommodation capacity of 60 students. Our next plan is to acquire more land and expand our tuition and hostel facilities in readiness for an enrolment of 5000 students trainees out of as recommended by our parent Ministry of Education,” said the the total student Principal. population Currently Shamberere TTI of has a number of lecture rooms, three- fully equipped laboratories which are all connected to are pursuing the internet and a drawing & engineering mapping hall which is used for courses. technical drawing.

The institution also boasts of a training restaurant for Food & Phase 1 Tuition Block which has nine lecture rooms.

Beverage and one fully equipped workshop each for Automotive, Electrical & Electronics and two for Mechanical Engineering.

The college administration is in the process of installing Closed Circuit Television cameras around major installations within the institution to increase surveillance and enhance security. Plans are also underway to instal solar lighting within the administration area.

Last year, the institution registered very impressive performance in national examinations.

Trainees at the institute are evaluated by reputable examining bodies such as Tuition Block which has four lecture Milling machines in Mechanical Engineering workshop. rooms.

1, 422

2, 280

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021 ....from previous page the institution has been using its modern machines in the Mechanical Engineering workshop to make various forms of furniture for institutions and also fabricate spare parts for West Kenya Sugar factory which are paid for.

camera at the main entrance to measure the temperature of everyone entering the institution.

“We have marked lecture rooms to guide our students on the sitting arrangement in order to conform to the social distancing requirement.

The institute has taken a lead in complying with all the Covid-19 protocols that were issued by the Ministry of Health.

“We have established a small dispensary within the institution complete with an isolation room

1.0

BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8

Diploma in Building Technology Diploma in Civil Engineering Certificate in Building Technology Certificate in Plumbing Certificate in Masonry Artisan in Carpentry & Joinery Artisan in Masonry Artisan in Plumbing

2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3

EXAM BODY

DURATION

May & September

KNEC

INTAKE PERIOD

EXAM BODY

May & September

KNEC

INTAKE PERIOD

EXAM BODY

May & September

KNEC

INTAKE PERIOD

EXAM BODY

May & September

KNEC

INTAKE PERIOD

EXAM BODY

KNEC

6 Terms

May & September

QUALIFICATIONS

DURATION

INTAKE PERIOD

EXAM BODY

C-(Minus) and Above

9 Terms

May & September

KNEC

C- (Minus) and Above 9 Terms D (Plain) and Above

6 Terms

D- (Minus) or KCPE

6 Terms

AUTOMOTIVE & MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT

QUALIFICATIONS

DURATION

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Diploma in Automotive Engineering Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Modular)

C-(Minus) and Above

9 Terms

D (Plain) and Above

6 Terms 6 Terms

Artisan in Motor Vehicle Mechanics

D- (Minus) or KCPE

3.0

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

QUALIFICATIONS

3.1 3.2 3.3

C-(Minus) and Above D (Plain) and Above D -(Minus) or KCPE

4.4 4.5 4.6

Diploma in Electrical and Electronics (Power) Certificate in Electrical and Electronics Artisan in Electrical Installation (Power) INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT COURSES Diploma in Food & Beverage Production, Sales Diploma in Fashion Design and Clothing Certificate in Food & Beverage Production, Sales Certificate in Fashion Design and Garment Artisan in Food & Beverage Production, Sales Artisan in Garment Making

5.0

QUALIFICATIONS C-(Minus) and Above

DURATION 9 Terms 6 Terms 6 Terms

DURATION 9 Terms

D (Plain) and Above

6 Terms

D- (Minus) or KCPE

6 Terms

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT COURSES

QUALIFICATIONS

DURATION

5.1 5.2

Diploma in Entrepreneurial Agriculture Diploma in General Agriculture

C-(Minus) and Above

9 Terms

5.3

Certificate in General Agriculture

D (Plain)

6 Terms

5.4

Artisan in General Agriculture

5.5

Artisan in Agribusiness

6.0

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT COURSES

6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6

6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17

Diploma in Accountancy

Diploma in Business Management Diploma in Cooperative Management

Diploma in Information Studies Diploma in Human Resource Management Diploma in Secretarial Studies Diploma in Social Work and Community

Development Diploma in Supply Chain Management Certificate in Computerized Secretarial Studies (Single & Group) Certificate in Computerized Secretarial (Modular) Certificate in Social Work & Community Development Certificate in Human Resource Management Certificate in Information Studies Certificate in Business Management Certificate in Supply Chain Management Certificate in Cooperative Management Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) I-III

6.18

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) I-IV

6.19

Artisan in Store Keeping Management

6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11

7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4

D- (Minus) or KCPE

D (Plain) and Above

C-(Minus) and Above C+ (Plus) with C+ in English & Mathematics D- (Minus) or KCPE

6 Terms

2 Terms per Level

QUALIFICATIONS DURATION C-(Minus) 9 Terms D (Plain) 6 Terms 2 Terms per C- (Minus) and Above level

Computer Application Packages

OPEN

CBET COURSES

QUALIFICATIONS

DURATION

8.1

Welding & Fabrication

KCSE Certificate

2 Terms

8.2

Motor Vehicle Engineering

KCSE Certificate

2 Terms

C- & Above

2 Years/ 6Terms

Food & Beverage Production (Culinary Arts)

KNEC

KASNEB

KNEC INTAKE PERIOD May & September

8 Weeks

8.0

8.3

May & September

6 Terms

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Diploma in ICT Certificate in ICT Diploma in Information Communication Technology (DICT)

REQUIREMENTS Application forms can be obtained from the College administration office or from the website. Duly completed forms should be returned together with photocopies of KCSE slip/Certificate, National ID card/ Birth Certificate, 1 Colour recent passport size photo and non-refundable application fee of Ksh. 500.00.

INTAKE PERIOD

QUALIFICATIONS

2.5

4.3

The college bus.

TEL: 0739922223, E-mail: shambereretti@yahoo.com

ACADEMIC COURSES OFFERED – SEPTEMBER INTAKE

4.1 4.2

We have also enforced the use of masks by everyone entering the institution,” stated the college head.

Shamberere TTI mentored Kongoni Technical and Vocational College in Likuyani Constituency, Kakamega. The new institution has since received its first Principal and learning has been ongoing since March 2019. Kongoni TVC has modern training equipment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Building & Civil engineering.

P.O.BOX 1316-50100, Kakamega

4.0

Food and Beverage students in a training restaurant during a practical lesson. and employed a resident nurse.

We are also making customized face masks and distributing them to students, staff and vulnerable members of the neighbouring community,” stated the Principal.

She noted that the institution had also designed, fabricated and installed automatic hand washing points at the main entrance and in front of every lecture room, workshop, laboratory, library and any other building within the institution.

The hand washing points are foot operated to avoid touching of the soap container, sanitiser or the taps in order to reduce the risk of contact contamination.

Plans are underway to fabricate and instal two customized water points at Kambi ya Mwanza market this month to enable members of the public to wash their hands regularly.

Akaranga said that her administration had also mounted an automatic temperature reader

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FOCUS ON EQUITY BANK’S WINGS TO FLY AWARDS 12 - 26 AUG, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

22

Equity bank awards scholarships to 2020 KCPE candidates in Bungoma

By Tony Wafula Equity bank has awarded 236 scholarships to bright and needy students in Bungoma county who sat for their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2020.

Equity bank Bungoma branch manager Stephen Wasiche said that the scholarship will cater for the student’s tuition fees, uniforms, shopping, and pocket money throughout the four year course in secondary school.

Stephen Wasiche, Bungoma Equity Bank Branch Manager. Photo/ Tony Wafula

576 Form one students from Kitui receive scholarship

Kitui County leaders with student beneficiaries follow proceedings during the Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly Programme launch at Kitui High School. Photo/Bonface Mulu.

By Boniface Mulu 576 Form One students from

Kitui County have benefited from the Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly scholarship programme.

He assured stakeholders that the program will be expanded next year to cater for a larger number of needy students.

Joan Cherop, a beneficiary from Cheptais Sub-county expressed her gratitude and promised to work hard. Cherop received a calling letter from Butere girls in Kakamega County.

Samuel Kimiti, Bungoma county commissioner advised the students to shun drug abuse and bad company and to concentrate on their studies.

Equity Bank Kitui Branch Manager Francis Mbindyo urged other stakeholders to continue assisting the needy children in the locality.

Kitui Central District Officer Maingi William thanked Equity Bank for the initiative in Kitui County.

He warned the parents and guardians who will fail to take their children to school that they will be arrested and prosecuted.

Wings to Fly Scholarship Programme Kitui Branch Selection Board Chairman Ken Katua asked the beneficiaries to work very hard as the appreciation.

Kitui High School Deputy Principal Festus Mutuku told the students that success comes with discipline and asked them to choose good friends.

10,705 students have benefitted from the programme this year.

Equity’s Wings to Fly sponsors 74 pupils from Nyamira

By Ongondi Nyakundi 74 bright but needy students from Nyamira county who sat for last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education have benefited from the Equity bank’s Wings to Fly programme to facilitate their secondary school Equity bank Nyamira branch Manager Mr. Robert Abere challenged the beneficiaries to reciprocate by working extra hard in school so as to lead a successful life in future .

County Executive Committee Member for Education Harrison Momanyi thanked the bank and said the county government will ensure it makes effort to help other students who are needy in the society.

Special programmes advisor to governor Amos Nyaribo ,Dr. James Gesami said the county government has a bursary kitty from which the needy and bright students could be assisted to access their education .

Equity bank Nyamira branch Manager Mr. Robert Abere challenged the beneficiaries to reciprocate by working extra hard in school so as to lead a successful life in future

265 needy students receive scholarships from Equity Group Foundation

By Tsozungu Kombe A total of 265 bright and needy students in Kilifi county have received scholarships from Equity Group Foundation (EGF) to enable them pursue their sec-

ondary education.

Speaking to Education News in her office in Malindi town recently, EGF Malindi branch chairperson, Ms. Risper Onyinkeva said that the beneficiaries of the scholarship are from Ma-

lindi and Magarini sub counties.

161 students (89 females and 72 males) were from Malindi sub county while 104 students (57 females and 47 males) were from Magarini sub county.

130 students secure Wings to Fly scholarships in Kisumu

Some of the beneficiaries of the Wings to Fly scholarships from Kisumu. Photo/Fredrick Odiero.

By Fredrick Odiero 130 students in Kisumu County have benefited from the Elimu scholarships .

Equity Bank Chief Executive Officer Dr James Mwangi said they had assisted 37,000 beneficiaries.

He commended the govern-

ment for the free secondary education saying it will make the country realize its transformation path.

He said the Wings to Fly programme is a joint venture between Equity bank, the government and the World Bank and that the scholarship is evenly distributed across the country.

670 students benefit from Wings to Fly scholarship in Kakamega

By Cally Imbayi 670) students from across Kakamega County have benefited from the Equity bank’s Wings to fly and Elimu scholarship programmes.

Equity Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi thanked well-wishers and partners for their unfailing support.

Deputy Governor Prof. Philip Kutima expressed his appreciation to Equity bank.

Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi addressing during the commissioning of the scholarship in Kakamega High school.

Photo/Cally Imbayi.

257 students in West Pokot awarded scholarships

By Martin Ruto Education stakeholders in West Pokot County have greatly lauded Equity Group Foundation (EGF) scholarship programmes.

Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Bank’s Chief Executive Officer awarded 257 pupils from West Pokot scholarships.

The Wings to Fly scholarship is and Elimu scholarship assist the less fortunate pupils to pursue education.

West Pokot County Governor Prof John Krop Lonyangapuo , said that the county will continue playing its role of assisting the less fortunate students through the disbursement of Kshs 400 million annually.

153 students from Uasin Gishu receive scholarship

By Wasike Elvis 153 bright and needy students from Uasin Gishu County have benefited from Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship programmes.

Equity Bank’s Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi said they will continue with the program until all needy students access education.

He called on the beneficiaries to take the opportunity as a bridge to deliver them from poverty.

Dr. Mwangi further called on students to shun drug abuse and teenage pregnancies in their pursuit of success and a better life.

Dr. Mwangi challenged the students to seek counsel from their parents and teachers.

FOCUS ON EQUITY BANK’S WINGS TO FLY AWARDS AUG 12 - 26, 2021

23

EDUCATION NEWS

KESSHA leadership lauds Equity group, Governors scholarship programmes

Equity Bank awards scholarships to 198 students in Migori

By Tony Wafula

By Norah Musega

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) in Western region has lauded Equity group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. James Mwangi, Elimu scholarship and Bungoma county governor Wycliffe Wangamati for supporting needy but bright students in Bungoma county.

Speaking to the press during the official launch of the 4th cohort of Wangamati’s scholarship at Nzoia guest house, Western KESSHA chairman Bikala Situma said that the scholarships have allowed bright but needy students in BunWings to Fly and Elimu scholarship beneficiaries durgoma to get a chance to attend the ing the awards ceremony at Baptist Girls in Bungoma. best schools in the country.

Photo/Tony Wafula Bikala added that the scholarship programme will ensure that ments they need. ing up with a scholarship program the country gets professionals in all Kibabii Vice Chancellor, Prof. to help needy students. kinds of fields.

Ipara Odeo said that at Kibabii He asked scholarship benIn his appeal, Bikala asked University they have endowment eficiaries to work hard in school school heads who will receive funds of Ksh. 10 million to cater for to produce the best results. He also scholarship beneficiaries to work needy students who join the institu- urged parents to remain close to closely with the sponsors to ensure tion. He lauded Equity group CEO their children and guide them acthat the students get all the require- for demystifying banking and com- cordingly.

198 students from Migori county have benefitted from the 2021 Equity Bank Foundation scholarships.

Migori county Equity bank branch manager Mr. Dancun Sino urged the beneficiaries to remain focused and hardworking in their studies.

Sino noted that the branch had received 2,000 applications but settled on 198 students from the county who were called to join various secondary schools across the country.

Migori Governor Zach-

Wings-to-Fly sponsors 446 students in Makueni

Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarship beneficiaries with their sponsors at the Makueni school. Photo/Lydia Ngoolo

By Lydia Ngoolo

Equity bank has awarded full scholarships to 446 bright but needy students in Makueni County.

Speaking when commission-

ing the scholarship at the Makueni School, Equity bank Wote branch manager Muia Mule, said they have been guiding the beneficiaries on how to conduct themselves.

The selection process begun

immediately after the release of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

He noted that from 2,700 applicants, they selected 446. He urged other sponsors to come to the aid of the remaining applicants.

Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Education Naomi Makau urged the scholars to keep off bad company which may end up ruining their future.

One of the beneficiaries Daniel Nzuki Mutuku said he thought his dream of becoming an architect was dimmed due to the poverty level in their family. He added that he is ready to abide by the rules of the sponsors to realize his dreams and help his family out of poverty.

Mule was accompanied by Emali branch manager Lewis Masila ,Kibwezi branch manager Moses Gitonga, Makueni branch Kenya National Union of Teachers People living With Disabilities representative Christopher Muli and Quality Assurance Director Samson Arodi among many other education stakeholders.

Concerns over huge number of vulnerable students in Siaya County

By Erick Nyayiera Concerns have been raised over the huge number of vulnerable students from Siaya County who might fail to join Form one if they are not supported.

Speaking during the Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarship programme commissioning ceremony at Bishop Okoth Mbaga Girls’ Secondary school in Siaya town, Equity Bank Bondo branch Manager Mr. Javan Odera, stated that they

received over 800 applications but only picked 74.

He appealed to the government and other education stakeholders to come to the aid of needy students to enable them have access to quality education.

Bishop Okoth Mbaga Girls Secondary school Principal Mrs. Christine Musindi commended Equity Group Foundation for the scholarship programme and appealed to other well-wishers to offer the support they can.

She promised that as secondary school principals, they are working hard to ensure that they absorb all students that have been posted to them and that they would go by the fees structure stipulated by the Ministry Of Education.

The beneficiaries of the programme expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the support and promised to work hard to ensure the support counts.

ary Obado who presided over the award ceremony held at Migori boys high school, urged that beneficiaries to wisely utilize the opportunity granted to them to change the living standards of their families.

The beneficiaries led by Susan Akoth from Rapogi girls primary school applauded the bank for its role in supporting the education sector through sponsorships.

“We are grateful for the opportunity and we promise to make our sponsors proud by working hard and excelling in our academics,” said Akoth.

Migori Governor Okoth Obado and Migori Mounty Equity Bank Branch Manager, Mr Dancun Sino with other officials join beneficiaries of the Equity Wings to Fly programme during the launch ceremony. Photo/ Norah Musega

Kericho county govt lauds Wings to Fly sponsorship programme

By Benedict Ng’etich The County government of Kericho has lauded Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly programme.

Kericho Governor Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony said the programme had greatly benefitted thousands of bright children from poor backgrounds .

Speaking during the regional scholarship commissioning event at the Kipsigis Girls High School, the governor urged Equity bank to continue with its Corporate Social Responsibility.

The scholarship benefitted 129 students drawn from the six sub counties of Kericho county.

He said the Wings to Fly and Elimu scholarships programmes funded by Equity Bank, Master-

Card Foundation, World Bank Group, KFW and the government of Kenya benefitted bright students from poor backgrounds.

Prof. Chepkwony said the county government had already employed 1,500 Early Childhood Development Education teachers.

County Director of Education representative Mr. Omari Mokaya said that due to the popularity of the sponsorship schemes, the number of applicants was increasing tremendously. He called on other potential donors to chip in.

County Commissioner Mr. Kamau Karugo advised the lucky students to be disciplined during their studies to avoid pitfalls like engaging in drug abuse and early pregnancies.

Leaders and beneficiaries of the Wings to Fly scholarships follow proceedings during the launch of the programme in Kericho town recently. Photo/ Benedict Ng’etich

Varsity Bulletin 24 EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

THE PLATFORM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

UASU goes to court over UoN administrative reforms The actions of the Vice-Chancellor to override an election of a Dean of the Faculty of the 1st Respondents (University of Nairobi) violates the principles of academic freedoms provided for under Section 29 of the Universities Act and is thus unconstitutional - states UASU.

By Roy Hezron The recently proposed governance and administrative structure changes at the University of Nairobi has stirred up confusion after Employment and Labour Relations Court barred the university from implementing the changes until a case filled by University Academic Staff Union(UASU) is heard and determined.

Lady Justice Maureen Onyango on July 21, 2021 ordered the university to shelve its changes pending the hearing of the application filled UASU which was scheduled to start on July 28, 2021.

UASU had moved to court to Dr. Constantine Wesonga, seek a court order barring UoN from UASU Secretary General. implementing its proposed governance structure which was being and a hundred of non-teaching staff fronted by the University Council who were facing job losses can now led by Prof. Julia Ojiambo and Vice- breath sign of relief.

Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama.

However, it has also thrown the The reforms were meant to eliminate institution into confusion since Prof. duplication of functions and improve Kiama through a memo dated July efficiency.

14, 2021 had appointed new officers The court order now implies that in the newly created positions. the holders of the five Deputy ViceThe newly created positions by Chancellors positions and occupants the memo were two positions of Asof Principal and Deputy Principal sociate Vice-Chancellors in charge offices of various colleges at the of Academic Affairs and Research, university which were abolished Innovation and Enterprise and Ex-

ecutive Deans of Faculty of Agriculture, Built Environment, Business and management science, Education, Engineering and Health Science.

Others include Executive Deans of Faculty of Law, Science and Technology, Arts, Social Science and Veterinary Medicine and one position of Chief Operations Officer.

The union claims that Prof. Kiama had unlawfully and without involving all stakeholders appointed a one-sided committee composed of University administrators to sit as a committee to come up with the proposed Governance Reforms.

The union also claims that the beneficiaries of the illegally created positions were appointed in an unlawful and illegal manner without a competitive and transparent recruitment process.

Some of the members of the committee the union claims were beneficiaries of the illegally created positions include Prof. Julius Ogeng’o who was rewarded with the newly created position of Associate Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Mohamed Jama who was rewarded with the newly created position of Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Francis Mulaa who

was rewarded with the newly created position of Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology ,Prof. Robert Rukwaro who was rewarded with the newly created position of Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Built Environment and Brian Ouma who was rewarded with the newly created position of Acting Chief Operations Officer.

“By the act of the Vice Chancellor appointing a committee to create for themselves positions amounted cronyism and sycophancy and violates the principles of public service integrity and national values contained in the constitution,” reads UASU petition.

The union further accused Prof.

Kiama of infringing faculty members of their right to elect their Deans as provided for under the Law and which was practiced to ensure accountability and good governance.

According to papers filed in court, the union cited for instance that in May 2021, the members of the members of the Faculty of Law elected Prof. Winfred Kamau as the Dean.

The union argues that the VC’s memo has the effect of nullifying the election of the Dean and suppressing the powers to elect the Dean by

purporting to appoint and designate Prof. Kamau as Acting Executive Dean.

“The actions of the Vice-Chancellor to override an election of a Dean of the Faculty of the 1st Respondents (University of Nairobi) violates the principles of academic freedoms provided for under Section 29 of the Universities Act and is thus unconstitutional,” states UASU. Under its 39 grounds of its petition, UASU wants the court to bar the VC from implementing the governance reforms. It also wants the court to declare that the reforms were against the Constitution, Universities Act No. 42 of 2012, the University of Nairobi Act Cap 210 of the Laws of Kenya, and the University of Nairobi Statutes 2013 and its Charter of 2012.

According to the UASU petition ,the UoN and UoN Council are the respondent in the case while the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Education Prof. George Magoha, Public Service Commission, Attorney General and Commission for University Education have been mentioned as interested parties in the case.

Prof. Magoha maintained that university reforms must be done in strict compliance with the law.

The CS warned that the institutions must not be run as individual’s properties because they belong to the government. He stated that all the legal bodies must always be involved in any of the reforms done at the institutions.

Prof. Magoha, who spoke during the handing over of Moi’s Odera Akango university campus to Maseno University warned all the University Councils and Vice Chancellors that must embrace a culture of consultation.

Co-operative University signs MOU with Kajiado County Govt

By Malachi Motano Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) and Kajiado county government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims at enhancing education through joint research, consultancy, training, technical development, commercialization and marketing in areas of mutual interests such as cooperative development.

The MoU also looks at enhancing capacity for the co-operative movement and approaches to appropriate cooperative business models for Kajiado County Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho (centre) the youth, women, vulnerable with Deputy Vice Chancellor, CDRI, Prof Isaac Nyamongo communities and low-income (fourth right) and other officials during the MOU signing ceremoearners. ny. Photo/Our Reporter It is also focuses on enhancing professional skills Co-operative Retreat and Confer- ment offices,Prof Isaac Nyamongo through exchange visits and sharing ence Centre (CRCC) to the County the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Coof information between co-opera- Government of Kajiado. operative Development, Research tors and officers of the parties, ofSpeaking during the signing and Innovation (CDRI), said a such fering Co-operative training facili- ceremony at the county govern- partnership is the first step of linkties at subsidized rates at the CUK’s

ing academia to the county government in a bid to create and develop sustainable and long term solutions that will uplift the lives of the people of Kajiado.

Kajiado County deputy governor Martin Moshisho Martine was upbeat about the new partnership and the opportunities that lay ahead for the people of Kajiado County.

“We are particularly keen on how we can sensitize and train the people of Kajiado on the critical role that co-operatives play model,” he said..

The university also signed another MoU with Czech University of Life Sciences ushering in a longterm strategic partnership. The two institutions of higher learning have agreed that cooperation in the areas of research collaborations and student and faculty exchanges would be mutually beneficial.

These areas of cooperation, subject to mutual consent, shall be any desirable and feasible activity that would further the goals of each institution and they include joint

research projects,publication activities of mutual interests, participation in seminars and academic meetings, faculty and student exchanges programmes as well as exchange of academic information and materials.

Prof. Mazancová Jana, ViceDean Development and Prof. Jiri Hejkrlik, Vice-dean of Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Department of Economics and Development, (who were accompanied by postgraduate students from the Czech Republic) noted that the initiatives can be put into place as soon as the administrative issues between the two institutions have been worked out.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Kamau Ngamau indicated that the two organisations have agreed to work together and cooperate in areas of mutual benefit and to fully engage in the development of research and innovation projects that will see both students and faculties across the two organisations advance in their quest to have meaningful and purposeful research activities.

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

Varsity Bulletin THE PLATFORM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Mama Ngina University College to open its doors in September

25

In an academic environment with diverse learning modes, overreliance on one learning style is not the best thing to do.

Adapting to all learning styles is necessary for fulfillment of one’s academic aspirations - Prof Njenga Munene

New university students urged to adapt to virtual learning

By Felix Wanderi

By Amoto Ndiewo Mama Ngina University (MNU) ,a constituent college of Kenyatta University (KU) ,will open her doors to her maiden 90 students this September, education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has said.

The university which sits next to Mutomo primary school has been admitting students who had been attending lectures at KU. Speaking at Mutomo primary school, Prof Magoha expressed satisfaction at the progress made to complete the construction of the university.

“We will ensure that MNU has new Mama Ngina Kenyatta. Varsity admissions at the onset of the new aca- named after her. File Photo demic year. Our hope is that the child will get the necessary support from KU until she is able to walk alone ‘’said Mait opens its doors in September.’’ the VC goha. said.

KU Vice Chancellor Prof Paul He said the new institution will offer Wainaina said the constituent college courses in Information Communication will be under a principal and a Board of Technology, environmental studies and Management though their academic pro- hospitality among others. grammes and exams will be administered Although the new university college from KU. has state of the art infrastructure, the stuHe said the Commission of Univer- dents will have to look for accommodasity Education (CUE) had inspected the tion outside the university. college to ensure it meets the requisite “In future, the administration will standards to admit students directly and have to construct accommodation faciliwas impressed by the progress. ties as the students numbers increase,’’ ‘’The college is ready to be accred- said the VC who called on investors to ited, gazetted and be regularized before construct hostels.

Students who are set to join universities have been urged to adapt to diverse learning styles including online learning so as to succeed in their studies.

Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said the Covid-19 pandemic has redefined teaching and learning in institutions of higher learning.

The VC told the students that virtual learning has proven to be a viable alternative of learning since the onset of the pandemic in the country and that they should utilize the digital platforms availed to them by the university to enhance their studies.

“In an academic environment with diverse learning modes, overreliance on one learning style is not the best thing to do. Adapting to all learning styles is necessary for fulfillment of one’s academic aspirations, “he said.

He spoke after overseeing the distribution of the second batch of umbrellas to small-scale traders within Ruiru town.

Prof Munene noted that the university has already injected

Yala rejuvinated as Maseno takes over Odera Akang’o campus

By Victor Ochieng’

Y

ala is a small town in Gem sub County of Siaya County. It’s perched approximately 40 kilometres from Kisumu and 50 kilometres from Busia. The town showed its sheen quite early but started waning like the morning dew and lost its lustre to become a shadow of its former self.

In the 1900s, Yala had the puissant influence of the legendary chief Odera Akong’o. The paramount chief gave Yala a good launching Education CS Prof. George Magoha (second right) and other pad. At the front-end of World War officials during handing over of Odera Akang’o Campus to 1, Bishop J.J. Willis cordially invited Maseno University.

Odera Akong’o to attend a church consecration at Namirembe Cathedral in Uganda. During this sacred Schools where basic literacy was former is a decorated historian and event, Odera took note of the pro- taught were established and parents brilliant author while the latter is a liferation of schools, churches and who refused to take their children polymath in the field of medicine, health centres in the region and bor- to school were apprehended by the former Vice Chancellor of the Unirowed a leaf. He later championed chief’s scouts, flogged in broad day- versity of Nairobi and the incumbent for both evolution and revolution of light and locked up in a small prison Cabinet Secretary of Education.

Malanga, also in Yala, is development projects in his chief- that was built at Yala.

This explains why Gem Yala the home of the late refined attorney dom.

The Paramount Chief collabo- is known far and wide for having C.M.G Argwings Kodhek, comrated with the white man and com- produced plenty of professors. At monly called ‘Chiedo mor Gem’, pelled his subjects to value Christi- Nyakwar Omole in Yala, the route loosely translated as the cream of anity, hard work and education. His to Ndanu Falls and water treatment Gem. B. A. Ohanga, the first Kenyan vast plantations of rice and bananas plant, we have the genteel and glori- minister, also hailed from Gem Got in Gem Dudi, Kalanyo and Madiri ous homes of Professors B. A. Ogot Regea in Yala.

In 1927, the Mill Hill Fathers facilitated barter trade in the region. and George Omore Magoha. The

Zetech University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Njenga Munene. Photo/James Wakahiu Ksh 8 million into improving its digital learning and management infrastructure.

“This initiative has enabled our students get value out of online learning and it will go a long way in enabling the institution handle an influx of new students who want to complete their coursework on time,” he said.

The VC said that the changing technology trends in the world require students and graduates to be well versed with digital skills so as to have a competitive edge in the job market.

He noted that the programme launched by the univer-

established a pioneer boys’ school called St. Mary’s School-Yala. Tom Mboya was an alumnus of this school. During her tenure as the MP of Gem, Grace Ogot invited President Moi to leg up development projects at St. Mary’s School Yala.

Isaac Omollo Okero influenced the tarmacking of the road from Kisumu-Busia Highway to Ulumbi Village when he was the MP of Gem. The town’s growth can also be attributed to the arrival of the railway line in 1930s. The advent of the railway line led to urbanisation of the town as the Indian coolies who built the great snaking metal chose to settle in Yala. They built shops and started engaging in business activities with the autochthonous people.

In the 90s, Yala had a white sugar company in Ulumbi and a jaggery in Yala Town. These facilities were the nectar that attracted honey-making bees in the region. They opened Yala to the outside world and enticed infinite spectrum of opportunities at the shores of Lake Lolwe until they folded mysteriously and turned to deserted cemeteries. During the same period, there was Jubilee High School which eventually faded.

In the 90s there was an Indian man called Patel who spearheaded the defunct private school called Jubilee High School. When the institution folded due to cash crunch, the premises remained unoccupied for several years. Moi University then picked it up and made it its constituent college.

When Moi University started Odera Akang’o Campus, the old

sity to issue small-scale traders with umbrellas is meant to ‘bring them back to their feet’ after the Covid-19 pandemic destroyed their businesses.

The programme will benefit over 200 traders who have been adversely afflicted by the pandemic.

Some of the beneficiaries termed the programme as ‘a shot in the arm’ saying that it’s a boost for their businesses as they will operate in a conducive environment.

“The programme is godsend and I am so grateful for the umbrella. Operating without such a shelter has been an uphill task especially during rainy seasons,” said Roselyn Lusesi, a beneficiary.

The university has already injected

Ksh 8 million

into improving its digital learning and management infrastructure.

- Prof Munene

cold town got a kiss of life. There was a breath of fresh air in Yala. It attracted investors from different horns of Kenya. Yala suddenly became a gold rush for entrepreneurs who built hostels, set up shops and tried to sell various things to university students.

Those were heydays when Yala was rife with life.

Then, bad luck struck when Moi University deserted its constituent college. The campus fell sick and succumbed to death. The town also went to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Investors experienced loses.

Churches that were always full to the brim lost members. To add insult to injury, when Gem was made a district, Yala Town was to serve as its nerve centre. Unfortunately, some powers opted for Nyangweso, where Sawagongo High School presently sits. When Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) also wanted to build its campus in Yala, some head honchos had a preference for a farflung place called Gem Kambare.

There is a beacon of hope and ray of radiant light for Yala: Kenya Railways is reviving the KisumuButere Route and Maseno University has also adopted Odera Akang’o Campus as its constituent college.

Lo and behold, I see Yala recovering from its catatonic state. It is convalescing from ICU. When learning resumes in this university, Yala Town that looked pale will become bright like lucent light.

The writer was born and brought up in Gem-Yala. vochieng.90@gmail.com

26

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

NORTH EASTERN GARISSA

Miraa blamed for poor exam results

A resident selling miraa in Garissa town.

Photo/Our Reporter

By Amoto Dennis Ndiewo Low enrolment and poor results posted in national exams from Garissa County have been attributed to miraa chewing.

Former County Executive Committe Member (CECM) for Trade, Commence and Co-operatives Hajir Mohamed Dahiye said the Miraa Bill seeking to govern

the trade and chewing of miraa is ready for debate .

Dahiye claimed that uncontrolled and selling of miraa had led to breakups of families.

Miraa dealer Michael Angaine Michemi argued that Meru county has more miraa chewers and still performs better than Garissa county in national exams.

Miraa seller Batelo Geberfian conceded that miraa should be out of children’s reach.

Ahmed Khere, a teacher, argued that mother tongue speaking in schools could lead to poor performance.

Wajir county Deputy Teachers Service Commission Director Ibrahim Sheikh challenged primary head teachers to take leading subjects in exam classes to show their worth.

Addressing education stakeholders at Garissa Primary Hall, he explained that discipline was dictated by head teachers’ presence or lack of it in schools.

National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) statistics reveal that Garissa residents spend Sh2 million daily on miraa.

TANA RIVER

County govt allocates Sh100m to student bursaries

NGO laments over school fees arrears

By Our Reporter A human rights group wants the national government to open up the economy which has burdened parents since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Womankind Kenya Director Abdullah Mohamed said 70% of parents in Tana River County are not able to foot the school fees due to the high cost of living.

Mohamed pleaded that no child ought to be sent home because of fee arrears as parents were only given a week to raise over Sh20,000 under the crippled economy.

“Leaders ought to push the government to subsidise the education requirements and this must be done in earnest as small businesses which used to sustain people have closed doors, he said.

Farah Dakota, a parent in Madogo, said it was unacceptable that school heads raise school fees despite knowing the burden parents undergo.

Tana River County Education chief Joseph Nyaga on the other hand, said the parents were given the school calendar a long time ago and they ought to have prepared themselves.

School heads have also found themselves in a tough situation with the ministry asking them to keep students in school without fees and their service providers demanding to be paid their arrears.

By Amoto Ndiewo Garissa county’s Finance and Economic Planning executive has tabled the 2021-22 budget estimates to the county assembly.

The education sector will receive Sh100 million which will go towards bursaries for needy students.

Other programmes set to benefit are drought response, ward development project and cash grants for youths, women and people living with disability.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance Roble Said Nuno said they are keen on funding water services within the county.

CECM for Education, Youth polytechnics and Sports Habiba Nasib Jelle said the water projects

Garissa County Education, CECM Habiba Nasib Jelle during a past function. will uplift education in the arid region. She also said the county will waive 50% of the business permit on youth entrepreneurs to enable school leavers enjoy a favourable business environment.

More bursaries for drought stricken region

By Our Reporter

Devolution Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) Abdul Bahari has said the government will gift bursaries to students from families hard hit by drought in the region.

Bahari said such families had to be assisted to curb school dropouts .Garissa county commission Boaz Cherutich said his office was working with chiefs and elders to profile children not able to afford secondary education.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION STATE DEPARTMENT OF TVET

KIMASIAN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COLLEGE

K

imasian Technical and Vocational College is a registered public TVET institution located in Kipkelion East constituency, Londiani Subcounty Kericho County. The college sits on a 30 acre piece of land that was donated by the County Government of Kericho and the local community.

The premier college, which has emerged as a centre of excellence that offers accredited demand driven courses at the level of Artisan, Craft Certificate and Diploma, is also a certified Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) centre.

“Kimasian TVC admitted its pioneer students in May 2019 and has since trained successfully over 609 students. We have 32 professionally qualified and motivated trainers,” said the Principal, Mrs Rosemary Soi, adding: “We are working hard to increase the enrolment and offer quality training for self-reliance and growth.”

It is a college of choice in Welding and Fabrication course and boasts of state-of-the-art equipment sourced from China for the Trade sector.

“Gradually we are improving infrastructure in all departments and

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

Administration and Tuition Block our trainees receive financial support realisation of the government’s from Government capitation while Big Four agenda, Vision 2030 prospective students are assisted and Sustainable Development to apply for HELB loan,” stated Goals.” the Principal. “Since inception, Kipkelion East NG-CDF has also supported a good number of our trainees through bursaries totalling over Sh6 million which has enabled many youths from the constituency to access the professional technical training,” she said, adding: “As a national TVC we are committed to offering quality and relevant training tailored to meet dynamic The college’s state-of-thejob market needs towards art Computer Laboratory.

COURSES OFFERED

Intake

Level/course

Qualification

Examination Body

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Application: pick form from the college or Download form from the college website www.Kimasiantvc.ac.ke Fees payment: government

capitation ksh. 30,000 Per year, Helb loan ksh. 40,000 Per year. For more information contact numbers: 0748186340 / 0718991923

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

27

NYANZA KISII

KISUMU

Sh204m bursaries disbursed to schools, colleges

By Fredrick Odiero

20,021 secondary schools students, 2,348 students from special institutions, 4,608 from tertiary colleges and 1260 students from driving schools will benefit from Sh204 million bursaries released by Kisumu county government.

Speaking during the disbursement of the funds, Governor Anyang Nyong’o talked of their consistency in the disbursement of the bursaries and scholarships to needy students Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong’o, across the 7 sub counties.

Ksh 68, 462,826 was released in Kisumu Governor.

December 2020, Kshs 47,260,400 released in March this year, Ksh 45m released in June and Ksh aged to apply for the bursaries.

44,276,774 released in July.

He added that the county governNyong’o appealed to lead- ment will sponsor 70 students from ers, parents and teachers to ensure the 35 wards to the Marine Training all needy students are encour- School based in Kisumu County.

He also said that his government had embarked on automation of the bursary management process as part of the wider plan to digitize and automate all county processes, procedures and systems. The move is meant to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the bursary management process.

The Governor expressed his gratitude to partners who have played a key role in ensuring access to quality education through issuance of bursaries and scholarships at secondary, colleges and university levels within the county.

Some of the partners he named include; Family Bank, Equity Bank through the Wings to Fly programme, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, KCB Foundation and Palm House Foundation among others.

66 students in Muhoroni get NG-CDF sponsorship join the over 180 students currently continuing with their studies in 66 bright but needy stuForm 2, 3 and 4,” stated dents who did their Kenya Koyoo.

Certificate of Primary EducaThe scholarship protion (KCPE) 2020 in Muhogramme was initiated by roni constituency have benHon Koyoo in 2014 and efited from bursary support has increased competifrom area National Governtion amongst schools ment Community Developwithin Muhoroni subment Fund (NG-CDF).

County .It has also enMuhoroni MP James abled its beneficiaries Koyoo presided over the Muhoroni MP James Koyoo distributing cheques to enjoy uninterrupted disbursement of over Sh1.6 to students joining national schools. Photo/Erick learning programmes million bursary cheques and Nyayiera during the four years of mentioned that the sponas the learners in the programme have their secondary education. sorship programme launched seven showed tremendous improvements. years has registered positive results “This category of students will

By Our Reporter

CBC is welcome news for special needs learners

By Erick Nyayiera

Special needs secondary schools have termed the roll out of the Competency Based Curriculum(CBC) in their institutions as the best move to support hands on learning.

By Gilbert Kobi Priavte schools performed exemplarily well in 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams.

Elimu Academy emerged the top school in the county after the release of the results. The school, which had 77 candidates, scored a mean of 397.79.

The best pupil, Vivian Syekei scored 420 marks out of a possible 500.

The school’s director Andrew Kombo said that 37 out of the 77 candidates had scored 400 marks and above. He attributed the good results to co-operation amongst teachers, the management and parents.

Vivian attributed her success to hard work.

Elimu Academy was followed by Kisii Embassy which had a mean of 388.40.

Set Green Hill Academy was ranked third with a mean score of 381.80.

Its top pupil, Brandon Otundo, scored 420 marks and has been described as a polite boy with good character.

The school director Charles Mochama said the boy sought help whenever he had a problem and didn’t let his visual impairment stop him from performing well.

Brandon attributed his success to the efforts of his parents and teachers who encouraged him to work hard.

Olympic Junior School

Zachary Onduso, Director of Olympic Junior Schools. Photo/ Gilbert Kobi

MIGORI

SIAYA

Samuel Demba, Principal Fr. Ouderaa Secondary School for the Hearing Impaired. Photo/Erick Nyayiera

Private school owners speak about the secret of their success

Samuel Demba, the Principal of Fr. Ouderaa Secondary School for the Hearing Impaired in Siaya County, stated that hearing impaired students will benefit from the practical aspects of training which will make them score well.

“We know which talent our students have and we will encourage and work on them,” he noted.

He urged the government to steer the implementation process by making available adequate resources for CBC success.

‘The government must be ready to fund the schools to put up necessary facilities.” he said.

He also said that teachers should be properly trained to change their attitudes towards the CBC roll out.

NYAMIRA

Nyatike NG-CDF to award Sh20m scholarship to over 1000 students

By Norah Musega

More than 1,000 students from Nyatike sub county are set to benefit from constituency scholarships totalling Sh20 million.

400 university and technical colleges’ students and over 8,000 secondary school students have benefited so far.

Area MP Tom Odege confirmed that the first batch of beneficiaries are set for graduation by the end of this year. He encouraged them to be creative and to embrace self-employment upon completion of their studies.

Odege said he is commited to serving his constituents despite the delay in disbursement of funds by the national government. He also urged the applicants not

was ranked 18th with a mean score of 363.66. The school had 37 candidates who sat the exams. Ford Ndubi topped by scoring 399 out of 500 and was followed closely by Helen Bosibori Mose (395) and Ivy Obaga (393).

Located in Nyamache sub county in Kisii county, the school has over 30 teachers and over 600 students.

The school’s director Zachary Onduso attributed the school’s performance to the hard work of all candidates and the selflessness of his teachers Onduso has expanded the operations of his group of schools to Nyacheki and Kilgoris.

Hon. Tom Odege, Nyatike MP Photo/ Norah Musega

to panic as those who qualified for bursaries will get them in due time.

He called on parents with learners from poor families to visit his constituency offices at Makanda and Wath Onger for assistance.

Parents urged to instill discipline in children

By Enock Okong’o.

Parents have been asked to instil discipline amongst their children to enable them develop proper skills for life.

Speaking in Nyamira town, Nyaramba zone Curriculun Support officer (CSO), Mr Okemwa Nyatwanga, decried the high rate of youths’ deviation from the norms of life and attributed it to the bad examples exhibited by parents .

His remarks came shortly after a form two student at Ekerubo secondary school died from excessive consumption of wines and spirits.

Manga Sub county police boss Mr. Gabriel Mwangangi said the boy was among two other boys who broke in and stole the intoxicants from one of the bars at

Mr Okemwa Nyatwang’a, Nyaramba Zone Curriculum Support Officer. Photo/Enock Okong’o

Kemera shopping centre.

Nyamira county director for education Mrs Margaret Mwirigia, appealed to learning institutions to intensify guidance and counselling in schools.

TERTIARY INSTITUTI 28 EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

Shedding light on TTCs, TVETS and Other Colleges

New dawn for Kasigau residents as CIT opens constituent college The constituent college was constructed by Voi Member of Parliament Jones Mlolwa under the NG-CDF to help the residents who were travelling a distance of 71km to CIT Voi to enrol for various courses.

By Michael Oduor Kasigau residents in Voi Sub-county, Taita Taveta County breathed a sigh of relief when Coast Institute of Technology (CIT) recently unveiled a constituent college in the area.

The residents who for a long time had to take their children to far off colleges and vocational training institutions could not hide their joy as they can now enrol their students to Kasigau Technical Institute, a constituent College of Coast Institute of Technology .

The Ksh13 million structure housing the constituent college was constructed by Voi Member of Parliament Jones Mlolwa under the National Government-Constituency Development Fund to help the residents who were travelling a distance of 71 km to CIT Voi to enrol for various courses.

Speaking during the handing over of the institution to CIT, Mlolwa applauded CIT Principal for agreeing to have the institution to train area residents and those from across the country.

He encouraged residents to take advantage of the campus and register their students so that they can be trained in different fields to be able to acquire skills that they can use to earn a living and excel in life.

“If possible let’s have over 1,000 students admitted in this college. I promise to support the first 20 students who will enrol to study in this campus through bursaries,” stated

CIT Principal Stephen Ngome addressing the press and residents at CIT Kasigau Campus.

Mlolwa.

Mlolwa also encouraged parents to talk to their children and emphasize on the importance of education for them to realize development in the area.

CIT Principal Stephen Ngome advised parents who are still energetic and willing to get skills through learning to enrol in the campus and get trained.

“Let’s take this chance and educate our children. When a child fails in class 8, the child has not failed in life. They can still join our institutions, go up to the degree level and compete for jobs just like any those with degrees from other institution,” noted Ngome Ngome challenged parents in the area to avoid being lenient with their children.

He stated that parents in other parts of the country make use of such opportunities and edu-

NS

cate their children.

His sentiments were echoed by Deputy Chairperson CIT board of directors, Madam Christine Kilalo who encouraged people to come out in large numbers and register to get training on technical skills.

Coast region TVETs director Peter Mwangi urged youths to make use of the campus and acquire skills that will see them be self employed and earn a living.

Mwashighadi Mzado, a village elder and a parent in Kasigau, lauded the institution as a sign of development in the area.

“I am happy for the project which I see as a sign of development in this area. I urge parents in this area to be the first ones to enrol their children in this institution so that they can get skills to be able to earn a living after graduation. Let’s avoid shying away from educa-

tion and getting involved in activities that will ruin our lives,” advised Mwashighadi.

Meanwhile, Voi DCC Daniel Nduti assured the residents and students who will join the institution of their security and that they should feel free to join and enjoy the services that will be offered by the campus.

He urged Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in the region to erect electric fences in their boundaries near the area so that the residents and students can be protected from stray wildlife.

Earlier, the MP had paid a courtesy call at CIT Voi main campus where he issued Ksh 1.2 million bursary cheque to support needy students who applied for bursaries in the last financial year.

The campus is expected to be operational as early as in September 2021.

Tana River records rise in student numbers at VTCs

By Tsozungu Kombe.

The enrolment of students in Vocational Training Centres (VTC) in Tana River county has increased tremendously from 250 students in 2017 to 1,000 students currently.

Speaking to Education News in Hola town recently, Tana River County Executive Committee Member for Education , Abbass Kunyo said the increase in enrolment was due to the efforts of parents and stakeholders in the county.

Kunyo urged parents in the area to fully co-operate and enrol their children who completed Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in the TVCs to enable them acquire various skills.

Mr Kunyo also asked education stakeholders in the region to work as a team to ensure that children are enrolled to the VTCs in large numbers.

He noted that the VTCs play an important role of preparing the youth for future self-employment.

He urged parents to take education of their children seriously, arguing that the county’s rapid development entirely depends on educated people who will be charged with the responsibility of designing, planning and implementing community development projects in the region.

Kunyo urged parents in the area to fully co-operate and enrol their children who completed Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in the TVCs to enable them acquire various skills.

State to give Nyeri National poly Sh170m to upgrade infrastructure

By Asa Maina The Nyeri National Polytechnic will receive Ksh 170 million from the national government over the next three years so as to improve its infrastructure.

The Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Margaret Mwakima said the funding will be disbursed in tranches beginning this financial year. Mwakima said The PS State Department of TVET Margaret Mwakima (left) a total of Ksh 320 million has been when she toured Nyeri National Polytechnic to assess the pumped into the polytechnic since level of investment the government has put in the institution. Photo/Asa Maina

2012 and has been used to equip a milk processing unit which will train students in the dairy industry.

Mwakima had visited the institution to assess the level of investment the government has put in the hospitality and tourism training programmes. She also assessed the smart classrooms, an investment made by the government in various national polytechnics to automate training and provide practical models.

The funding by the government will also aid in the purchase of

equipment for hospitality and tourism, building technology and civil engineering among others which will be used to mentor other learning institutions in practical training.

The department, Mwakima said, has partnered with industries to ensure that courses being offered are industry driven in terms of the curriculum and placement.

The partnership will also enable learners to obtain industrial attachment and boost manufacturing which is one of the government’s Big Four Agenda Since 2013, the government has invested Kshs 36 billion in TVET institutions countrywide to facilitate infrastructure growth and purchase of modern equipment.

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

29

EDUCATION NEWS

Kipsoen TVC, a centre of excellence in Mechatronics Engineering

KIPSOEN TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL COLLEGE Off Eldoret-Iten Road.

P.O. BOX 344-30700 ITEN TEL: 0797 868 786 Email: kipsoentvc@gmail.com Website: www.kipsoentvc.ac.ke

KIPSOEN TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL COLLEGE Off Eldoret-Iten Road.

P.O. BOX 344-30700 ITEN TEL: 0797 868 786 Email: kipsoentvc@gmail.com Website: www.kipsoentvc.ac.ke

SEPTEMBER 2021/JANUARY, 2022 INTAKE. S/No

Courses

OFFICIAL LIST OF COURSES OFFERED Mode Of Study Minimum Entry Examining Requirements Body

SEPTEMBER 2021/JANUARY, 2022 INTAKE.

Duration

in his office, the Principal, Mr Eric ENGINEERING Tanui said the KNEC student population Artisan In Electrical 3 Terms KCSE D (Plain) One Year Installation had risen to overKNEC 500 up from 113 3.

Artisan In Building 3 Terms KCSE D- (Minus) One Year Technology since its inception.

4.

Artisan In Plumbing 3 Terms KCSE D- (Minus) One Year He D-also said KNEC that they have put 5.

Artisan Welding & 3 Terms KCSE (Minus) KNEC One Year Fabrication in place an elaborate plan which will 6.

Certificate In TEP Programme KCSE D Plain KNEC Two Years Plumbing ensure that they develop market tai7.

Craft In Building Module I KCSE D Plain KNEC 5Terms Technology Module II/Jan,2022lored courses, increase the number of 8.

Certificate In Welding Module I KCSE Dto Plain KNEC a thousand 5 Termsand students more than & Fabrication Module II/Jan,2022develop income-generating activities 9.

Certificate In Module I D Plain KNEC 5 Terms in itsKCSE five year strategic blueprint.

Electrical & “Our operations are rolling on Electronics Module II/Jan,2022 Engineering. well and we are working on ensur10. Diploma Electrical & Module I 7 Terms ing KCSE thatC-(Minus) students KNEC have a convenient Electronics Module II/Jan,2022 Engineering. environment for learning.

We want Module III/Jan,2022 11. Diploma In Building Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Termswill to equip learners with skills that Technology Module II/Jan,2022 help them become job creators,” the Module III/Jan,2022 12. Eric Diploma Tanui, In Civil Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms Mr Engineering Module II/Jan,2022Principal said, adding that they have Principal. Module III/Jan,2022already introduced the college to the 13.

ICT/BUSINESS/AGRICULTURE/GARMENT MAKING/COMPUTERIZED SECRETARIAL STUDIES. localOpenindustries like Toyota Computer Open KIPSOEN TVC 3 Kenya, Months

By Dennis14.Bett Applications Raiply Company and Rivatex 15. Certificate In Module I KCSE D Plain KNEC 5 Termsand Information they will soon sign a Memorandum Communication & ipsoen Technical and Module II/Jan,2022 Technology (ICT) of Understanding.

Vocational College 16. Diploma In Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms Mr Tanui thanked Keiyo North Information Module II/Jan,2022 (KTVC) is a reputaNational Government –Constituency ble public institution offering a variety of courses that pre- Development Fund (NG-CDF) and pare trainees for employment oppor- Rift Valley Institute of Science and tunities and instill an entrepreneurial Technology College (RVIST) Nakuru for greatly supporting the institute. approach to their chosen careers.

The Principal mentioned that Out of the 13 institutions across the country which offer mechatron- they have put major emphasis on ics engineering, a course designed agricultural courses to nurture agriby Curriculum Development and cultural engineers and extension ofAssessment Certification Council ficers owing to the fact that the area (CDACC) and examined by Com- is agriculturally reliant because of its petency Based Education Training good climate.

Mr Tanui said the college re(CBET), KTVC has been considered ceived a major boost of engineering by the Ministry of Education as a cenequipment by the Government of ter of excellence.

As a result of the bigger growth Kenya through AVI International and in manufacturing and technical in- called on donors and the Ministry of dustries, the course has been em- Education to continue funding the braced to train technicians who will institution.

The Deputy Principal, Engineer troubleshoot, maintain and repair mechanical equipment controlled by Samuel Lagat said they are utilizing electrical, electronics and computer the available avenues of roadshows, public barazas, market place, Techsystems.

The institution is thus poised to nical and Vocational Education and meet the growing demand locally, re- Training (TVET) fair and TVET gionally and nationally for training in competitions to sensitize the youth on mechatronics engineering as well as the importance of joining colleges.

The college registrar, Mr. Festus other courses developed by the colKiplangat revealed that 64 students lege.

The College which started its have already sat Kenya National Exoperations in 2019, is located 6 kilo- amination Council exams and that metres from Iten town along the Iten- they performed well.

He called upon form four leavEldoret highway. The Institute has an ers to register for courses as they accessible and conducive learning are funded through various avenues environment.

Speaking to Education News which include Government capita1.

2.

S/No 1.

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5.

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Artisan In Electrical Installation Artisan In Building Technology Artisan In Plumbing Artisan Welding & Fabrication Certificate In Plumbing Craft In Building Technology

10.

K

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Certificate In Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

KCSE D- (Minus)

3 Terms

Mechatronic Engineering Duration

KNEC

One Year

KNEC

One Year

What is Mechatronics Engineering?

This3growing dealsDwith the integrationKNEC of mechanical and electronic components managed by Terms technical field of study KCSE (Minus) One Year a control system. Mechatronics technicians and repair mechanical 3 Terms KCSE D-troubleshoot, (Minus) maintain KNEC Oneequipment Year controlled by electrical, electronic and computer systems. The systems are increasingly used in a wide variety of manufacturing and related technical applications suchKCSE as highD technology.

TEP Programme Plain KNEC Two Years

Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module I

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

5Terms

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

5 Terms

Module II/Jan,2022 KCSE D Plain

Module I

Our CBET course concentrate on troubleshooting and process improvement.

Successful mechatronics technicians require comprehensive reading and mathematics skills as well as the ability to think analytically about interrelated systems.

Mechatronics technicians perform a wide variety of tasks.

KNEC 5 Terms Typical activities are the following:

Module II/Jan,2022

• Evaluate electro-mechanical systems for proper operation

Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms • Troubleshoot and repair mechatronic systems Module II/Jan,2022 • Communicate with other technical members on ipsoen Technical and Vocational College a team Module III/Jan,2022 Mechatronics Engineering classes emphasize current • Use a wide assortment of test equipment Diploma In Building Module KNEC 7 Terms concepts Iand technology by KCSE C-(Minus) Technology Module II/Jan,2022 • Program mechatronic systems providing practical, hands-on experiences with the latest, Module III/Jan,2022 • Calibrate instrumentation and test equipment industry standard equipment.

Diploma In Civil Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms • Install and maintain Mechatronic Systems Engineering ModuleTVC II/Jan,2022 In Kipsoen mechatronics classes, you will receive Module III/Jan,2022 ‘real world’, state-approved technical instruction from our experienced traineers for but MAKING/COMPUTERIZED not limited to the ICT/BUSINESS/AGRICULTURE/GARMENT SECRETARIAL STUDIES. following systems and Computer Opentypes of manufacturing Open KIPSOEN TVC 3 Months processes: Applications Kipsoen Technical and Vocational College Off Eldoret - Iten Road Certificate In Module I KCSE D Plain KNEC 5 Terms • Process Control Systems Information P.O BOX 344 - 30700, • Instrumentation/Automation Communication & Iten, Kenya.

Module II/Jan,2022 Systems Technology (ICT) Diploma Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

Mr Wesley Kipkemoi, Mechatronics Course 16. Diploma In Co-ordniator.

Information

K

• Conveyor Module ISystems

KCSE C-(Minus)

KNEC

7 Terms

KIPSOEN TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL COLLEGE Email: kipsoentvc@gmail.com Off Eldoret-Iten Road. Tel: 0797868786 • Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems P.O. BOX 344-30700 ITENwww.kipsoentvc.ac.ke Website: • Robotic Systems TEL: 0797 868 786 Email: kipsoentvc@gmail.com Website: www.kipsoentvc.ac.ke • Machining and fabrication

Module II/Jan,2022

COURSES OFFERED AT KIPSOEN TTI SEPTEMBER 2021/JANUARY, 2022 INTAKE. S/N

o

1.

2.

3.

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5.

Mr Festus Kiplangat, College registrar.

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tion through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, NG-CDF funds, county governments and ward funds.

Mechatronics Engineering course Co-ordinator ,Mr Wesley Kipkemboi encouraged female students to register for the course since it has high stakes in the market industry and is a government programme tailored towards enhancing the Big 4 Agenda.

Artisan In Electrical Installation Artisan In Building Technology Artisan In Plumbing Artisan Welding & Fabrication Certificate In Plumbing Craft In Building Technology Certificate In Welding & Fabrication Certificate In Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

10.

Diploma Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

11.

12.

13.

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Tutors with the Principal, Mr Eric Tanui.

Courses

9.

OFFICIAL LIST OF COURSES OFFERED Mode Of Study Minimum Entry Examining Requirements Body KNEC

One Year

KNEC

One Year

3 Terms 3 Terms

KCSE D- (Minus) KCSE D- (Minus)

KNEC KNEC

One Year One Year

TEP Programme

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

Two Years

Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module I

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

5Terms

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

5 Terms

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

5 Terms

Module II/Jan,2022 Module I Module II/Jan,2022

Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022 Diploma In Building Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms Technology Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022 Diploma In Civil Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms Engineering Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022 ICT/BUSINESS/AGRICULTURE/GARMENT MAKING/COMPUTERIZED SECRETARIAL STUDIES. Computer Open Open KIPSOEN TVC 3 Months Applications Certificate In Module I KCSE D Plain KNEC 5 Terms Information Communication & Module II/Jan,2022 Technology (ICT) Diploma In Module I KCSE C-(Minus) KNEC 7 Terms Information Module II/Jan,2022

18.

Diploma In Information Studies

19.

Business Single and Group

20.

Diploma In Computerized Secretarial Studies

21.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

22.

Certificate In Accountancy

23.

Diploma In Accountancy

24.

Beauty Therapy (Artisan) Artisan in Garment Making Certificate in Garment Making

26.

27.

Diploma in Garment Making

28.

Certificate In General Agriculture Diploma In General Agriculture

29.

Students at a practical session.

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

5 Terms

Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022 Stage I Stage II/Jan,2022 Stage III/Jan,2022 Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022 Part I Part II Part III Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022 3 Terms

KCSE C-(Minus)

KNEC

7 Terms

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

6 Terms

KCSE C-(Minus)

KNEC

7 Terms

KCSE C+(Plus) C+ Maths & C+ English KCSE D Plain

KASNEB

9 Terms

KNEC

5 Terms

KCSE C-(Minus)

KNEC

7 Terms

KCSE E

NITA

One Year

3 Terms

KCSE D- (Minus)

KNEC

One Year

Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022 TEP Programme

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

5 Terms

KCSE C-(Minus)

KNEC

7 Terms

KCSE D Plain

KNEC

2 Years

Module I Module II/Jan,2022 Module III/Jan,2022

KCSE C-(Minus)

KNEC

7 Terms

Module I Module II/Jan,2022

Notes: I. II.

Duration

KCSE D- (Minus)

Module III/Jan,2022

25.

ENGINEERING KCSE D (Plain)

3 Terms

3 Terms

Communication & Technology (ICT) Certificate In Information Studies

17.

Tuition and Administration Block.

ENGINEERING KCSE D (Plain)

3 Terms

Certificate In Welding

Eng. Samuel Lagat, & Fabrication Deputy Principal.

9.

OFFICIAL LIST OF COURSES OFFERED Mode Of Study Minimum Entry Examining Requirements Body

Courses

One Term is equivalent to three calendar months.

One Academic Year is equivalent to three terms.

30

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

Why Mukurwe-ini TTI has grown by leaps and bounds in just five years

By Asa Maina

M

ukurwe-ini Technical Tr a i n i n g Institute (MTTI) has grown rapidly in both infrastructure and trainee population, with the infrastructural growth attributed to heavy funding by the Kenyan government and the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).

The institution was started five years ago and its growth has been made possible by over half a billion shillings funding by the two institutions.

The money funded the construction of the Building and Civil Engineering workshop at a cost Ksh200 million in phase one, and the Electrical and Electronics engineering workshops at a similar cost in phase two.

They were done to international standards and equipped with stateof-the-art equipments.

“This means the institution is slightly over half a billion investment. That gives us an advantage of having workshops that are measuring to the times,” stated Mr Muchemi.

The investment has enabled it to train students using modern technology.

The Principal says the institution is focused on adhering to its core mandate in skills acquisition and captures many skills.

“The main thing is to ensure we enhance our core mandate and preferably be a centre of excellence in skills acquisition both in Kenya, East Africa, and even in the world,”

Principal, Mr Patrick Muchemi. he said. He also emphasized on the need to enhance the capacity of learners so that most of the furniture and other items that are imported from China can be produced locally.

The third phase which involves the construction and equipping of a Mechanical Engineering workshop is on the way.

The Principal says the institution has also enjoyed immense support from the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri and the Mukurwe-ini community who donated a 60-acre chunk of land where the institution stands.

The Board of Governors (BOG) has also greatly supported the institution through its visionary leadership.

“The Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has been very supportive by nourishing the institution’s fraternity spiritually,” he adds.

Mukurwe-ini TTI neighbours Sister Irene Stefani Nyaatha’s

The institution’s gate.

Students in a masonry class at the TTI.

shrine.

The government has done a fully equipped ICT/Library complex, launched by His Grace Archbishop Anthony Muheria in March and ablution block and the intitution’s main gate at a cost of Ksh 40 million insvestment.

The BOG initiated projects include workshops, the building of a perimeter fence, a gate, a kitchen, and the procurement of an institution bus, all valued at Ksh40 million.

Muchemi said that students should be good producers of the items so that they beat the standards of the imported items to ensure they are marketable.

The institution’s performance has always been good at above 67 percent pass in national exams.

During its inception in May 2015, Mukurwe-ini TTI admitted only 100 pioneer trainees but the population has grown to over 1400 today.

Mr Muchemi attributes the growth to the aggressive marketing campaigns done. These campaigns have been made possible by the good rapport established between trainers and trainees.

“We market the institution through referrals. If you offer good services to customers, they will definitely market you. In our analysis, 30 percent of our trainees’ population is brought by trainees themselves,” Muchemi explained.

The institution also liaises with principals in secondary schools, especially the surrounding ones, where they encourage students unable to join universities to join the TTI. The school has been participating in co-curricular activities like sports, drama, and music. The activities have also been used as a marketing tools as members of many games clubs are the trainees’ age mates.

Peer-to-peer marketing where learners are given letters to take to their peers during vacations has worked well as they have been able to influence their age mates in the villages to join the institution.

The key evidence of the institution’s achievement is 2018/19 performance contracting (PC), where it was ranked fifth

The main thing is to ensure we enhance our core mandate and preferably be a centre of excellence in those skills acquisition both in Kenya, East Africa and even in the world.

- The Principal

among TVET institutions in Kenya.

To realize this good performance, the institution achieved 100 percent of its core mandate and increased the trainees’ population.

Enrolment increased taking into account gender balance as well, since it had committed to having more girls take up technical courses.

Charles Wachira, the assistant PC co-ordinator says others who have worked with the institution include the National Government Administrative Officials (NGAO) like the chiefs and their assistants who have also ensured there is security.

“They have played a major role in ensuring that the outside environment, where learners have hostels, is safe and free from illicit and second-generation brews, a

move that has boosted parents’ confidence,” he adds.

The serene rural environment is conducive for learning as the institution is situated seven kilometres from Mukurwe-ini town.

Robert Njuguna the performance contracting Coordinator says oneness is what made the institution become position five in TVET institutions PC ranking.

“I believe there is still room for improvement and we will be going far. I believe that it is achievable,” he adds.

He says as the team celebrates, it is also focused on maintaining the position and even going higher by working harder.

Performance contracting is a management system where an

Cont next page..

INTAKES:JANUARY, MAY AND SEPTEMBER (EACH YEAR) TECHNICAL DIPLOMA COURSES (KNEC) EACH COURSE 3 MODULES Diploma in Building Technology Mod. 1,2 & 3 Minimum Entry Requirements: Diploma in Civil Engineering Mod. 1,2 & 3 MOD. 1 - KCSE CDiploma in Mechanical Engineering Mod. 1,2 & 3 (Minus) Diploma in Electrical Engineering Mod. 1,2 & 3 MOD. 2 pass in MOD. 1 Diploma in Architecture Mod. 1,2 & 3 MOD. 3 pass in MOD. 2 Diploma in Quantity Survey Diploma in Water Supply Diploma in Land Survey TECHNICAL CRAFT CERTIFICATE COURSES (KNEC) TEP MODULE PROGRAMME Craft Certificate in Carpentry and 2 Years Minimum Entry Joinery Requirements: MOD. 1 - KCSE D (Plain) Craft Certificate in Plumbing and 2 Years MOD. 2 pass in MOD. 1 Water Services MOD. 3 pass in MOD. 2 Craft Certificate in Mechanical 2 Years NB: For Electrical Engineering (Production Option) D+(Plus) Craft Certificate in Electrical 2 Years Engineering Craft Certificate in Automotive 2 Years Engineering Craft Certificate in Building 2 Years Technology Craft in Water Supply TEP 2 Years Craft in Land Survey TEP 2 Years CBET TECHNICAL COURSES COURSES EXAMINATION BODY PLUMBER Level 4 CDACC MASON Level 4 CDACC BUILDING TECHNICIAN Level 6 CDACC ELECTRICIAN INSTALLATION Level 5 CDACC OPERATOR (POWER OPTION) AQUACULTURE Level 5 CDACC SCHOOL OF BUSINESS BUSINESS DIPLOMA COURSES (KNEC) EACH COURSE 3 MODULES Diploma in Sales and Marketing Mod. 1,2 & 3 Minimum Entry Requirements: Diploma in Human Resource Mod. 1,2 & 3 MOD. 1 - KCSE C- (Minus) Management MOD. 2 pass in MOD. 1 Diploma in Business Management Mod. 1,2 & 3 MOD. 3 pass in MOD. 2 Diploma in Accountancy (TEP) 3 Years Diploma in Supply Chain Management BUSINESS CRAFT CERTIFICATE COURSES (KNEC) EACH COURSE 2 MODULES Craft in Sales Marketing Mod. 1 & 2 Minimum Entry Requirements: Craft in Business Management Mod. 1 & 2 MOD. 1 - KCSE D (Plain) Craft in Human Resource Mod. 1 & 2 MOD. 2 pass in MOD. 1 Management Craft in Supply Chain Management Mod. 1 & 2 (Stores Mgt) Craft in Project Management Mod. 1 & 2 Craft in Stores Management Mod. 1 & 2 Craft in Road Transport Mod. 1 & 2 Management Craft in Entrepreneurship Mod. 1 & 2 Management

...from previous page institution commits to doing certain things, makes allocations in the budget and goes through processes of implementation.

It has four steps which are negotiation, vetting, implementation and evaluation to see if it has been achieved.

Those processes help an institution to measure what it intends to do and

what is measured mostly gets done.

“Performance contracting has helped us to become what we intended to be and even as we make our next strategic plan, we will have goals that will be achieved and we believe we will get there,” he adds.

He also lauds the institution’s fraternity that involves the board, administration, staff, both support and training staff, for working hard towards attaining the goal.

A section of facilities at the TTI.

A section of the students examining maize plants in the school farm.

TERTIARY INSTITUTI

Shedding light on TTCs, TVETS and Other Colleges

Mukurwe-ini TTI has 58 Public Service Commission (PSC) trainers and 15 support staff. It outsources security and catering services to concetrate on its main mandate of skill aquisition.

The Government has subsidized technical training fees where the recommended fee per year is Ksh56,240 out of which it pays Ksh30,000 through capitation, leaving a balance of Ksh26,240.

Trainees can get HELB loans amounting to Ksh40,000 from which Ksh26,240 goes to fees payment and the balance of Ksh13, 760 is sent to trainee’s bank account to cater for their upkeep.

The institution advises students to take advantage of this government initiative.

Other than engineering courses such as electrical and electronics, building and civil engineering, Mukurwe-ini is also offering business courses and is venturing into agriculture.

Students in a plumbing workshop.

NS

Govt to inject additional Sh46m towards construction of Ngeria TVC

By Malachi Motano The government will inject a further Sh46 million to complete the construction at Ngeria Technical Vocational centre (TVC), after the first contract was terminated.

Principal Secretary State Department of Vocational and Technical Training (VTT) Dr Margaret Mwakima people involved in the construction and maintenance of vocational training centres, institutions and national polytechnics across the country to complete the projects within the PS Mwakima when she visited Ngeria Technical Vocational stipulated time. centre.

She said that around 70% of the 600,000 students who sat their to be absorbed into vocational is committed to building one technical vocational centre in every Kenya Certificate of Secondary institutions and centres.

She added that the government constituency.

Education last year were expected

IHRM urges the government to set aside enough resources for VTCs

By Michael Oduor The national Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) chairman Joseph Onyango has called on the Kenyan government to embrace Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) in order to realize sustainable development Speaking at Voi Vocational Centre, Onyango said the unemployment rate in Kenya will only be addressed if leaders recognize Vocational Training

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EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

Centres (VTCs) as part of the learning institutions in the country.

He urged the government to set aside enough resources towards VTCs, noting that they have rolled out partnership programmes with county governments to reach out to students in technical training institutions.

Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Majala Mlagui said those who join VTCs are not failures. She added that without technical skills, the county’s development will be negatively affected.

Taita Taveta County Director of VTCs and Youth Training, Mr Raphael Chola said there are professional tutors in VTCs who will equip the students with the relevant skills needed in the job market.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Education, libraries and Vocational training centres Dephence Manga assured the students of support in terms of a good learning environment and infrastructures that will enable them train with ease.

BUSINESS ARTISAN CERTIFICATE COURSES (KNEC) Artisan in Store Keeping 2 year (6 terms) Minimum Entry Requirements: Artisan in SALESMANSHIP 2 year (6 terms) KCSE or KCPE 200 pts INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Diploma in Information Mod 1, 2 & 3 Communication Technology (DICT) C- (Minus) Craft Certificate in Information Mod 1 & 2 Communication Technology (CCIT) D (Plain) Computer Application Packages INTERNAL (Fees charged per package) Computer Programming INTERNAL Graphic Design INTERNAL  ARCH CAD Offered for students ready to pursue  AUTO CAD Engineering and practicing professional AGRICULTURE COURSES Diploma in General Agriculture Mod 1,2 & 3 Minimum Entry KNEC Requirements: MOD. 1 - KCSE CCraft Certificate in General Mod 1 & 2 (Minus) Agriculture KNEC MOD. 2 pass in MOD. 1 Artisan Agri-Business Level 1 & 2 MOD. 3 pass in MOD. 2 BUSINESS DEPARTMENT ADDITIONAL COURSES KASNEB Courses:  Professional Courses – entry requirement – KCSE C+ or pass in ATD or pass in KNEC {CPA Part 1,2 & 3)  Diploma Courses – entry requirement – KCSE C- or pass in CAMS ATD Level 1,2 & 3  Certificate Courses – entry requirement – KCSE D(Plain) CAMS Level 1 & 2 LIBRARY STUDIES Diploma in Information Mod 1,2 & 3 Minimum Entry Science Requirements: MOD. 1 - KCSE C(Minus) MOD. 2 pass in MOD. 1 MOD. 3 pass in MOD. 2 Craft Certificate In Mod 1 & 2 Minimum Entry Information Studies Requirements: MOD. 1 - KCSE D (Plain) MOD. 2 pass in MOD. 1 CBET Business Courses Course Examination body Supply Chain Manager Level 5 CDACC Human Resource Manager Level 6 CDACC ICT Technician lEVEL 4 CDACC

Kakamega launches home based ECDE schools

By Cally Imbayi Kakamega County government has launched the Inclusive Home based Early Learning Program (IHELP) at Ikhuliri village in Ikolomani Sub-County with the aim of increasing access to quality Equitable Early Childcare and Education (ECCE) for children who are marginalized, with complex disabilities, living in poverty and those in less accessible areas.

The project which is the first of its kind in Kenya is sponsored by Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Knowledge Innovation and Exchange (KIX), the International Research Development Centre Canada (IDRC) in collaboration with the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).

Speaking during the launch of the programme, Kakamega County Executive Committee Member for Education Science and Technology, Dr. George Akolo Lutomia applauded IDRC and MMUST for introducing the concept, observing that it will enhance equitable learning.

“We are happy that IDRC together with MMUST have decided to spearhead the introduction of child care centres, which is a requirement by the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Policy. It will complement Governor Wycliffe Oparanya’s program of ensuring conducive learning environment for the young ones through construction and equipping of modern ECDE centers as well as employing competent teachers,”

Lutomia said.

Dr. Lutomia also said that the government will facilitate the established centres with teachers and furniture.

Chief Officer Dr. Irene Ashioya thanked the partners for selecting Kakamega as the first region to set up such a program saying Kakamega will act as a model of quality and equitable education.

Dr. Rose Opiyo of MMUST thanked the County Government for the close co-operation and willingness to oversee the project.

She stated that the 4 home-based child cares in Ikolomani will help in keeping young learners in school and give mothers an opportunity to focus on other activities.

In attendance was Associate Dean School of Education at MMUST Prof. Peter Bukhala, Dean School of Education Prof. Moses Poipoi, the Ward Administrator for Idakho North Mr. Walter Okoth and the County ECDE Director Mr. Alfred Shabiha among other officers.

Dr. George Lutomia, Kakamega CECM for Education.

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EDUCATION NEWS

RIFT VALLEY

BARINGO

4,000 students to benefit from Sh30m bursary fund

By Talarus Chesang

13-year-old boy walks 50 km to new even school though he didn’t have the

By Osborne Ben

13-year old boy George Masinde walked for 50 kilometres from Likyani, Kakamega County to St Joseph’s Boys National School in Trans Nzoia County School Principal Mr Godfrey Owuor with George Masinde. Photo/Osborne Ben

NAKURU

Schools target 5.435 KCSE grade

Fred Osewe,Nakuru County Education Director,

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.

Nakuru County registered a total of 38,750 can-

WEST POKOT

Kepsha urges teachers to support welfare associations

By Martin Ruto

More than 4000 bright but needy students from Baringo county have benefitted from the Sh30 million disbursed by the county government as bursary funds.

County Executive Committee Member for Education, Dr David Sergon said majority of students who performed well in their 2020 KCPE exams might not proceed with their learning due to lack of school fees.

Governor Stanley Kiptis, termed the bursary allocation as a way of improving the quality of Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis (left) handing over education in the county, saying it a bursary fund dummy cheque for Sh30 million in had benefitted 18,500 students Kabarnet town recently. Photo/Talarus Chesang since its inception in 2014.

He further lauded the Mem2020/2021 financial year . to the effects of Covid-19 panbers of the County Assembly Deputy Governor Jacob Chep- demic. He said TVET to students (MCAs) for increasing the kitty wkony attributed the increased fi- countrywide should also receive allocation to Sh42 million in the nancial challenges among parents bursaries.

TRANS NZOIA

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

didates in 2020 for the KCSE exams .

A total of 31 scored plain As, 782 A- 1439 B+, 2029 B plain, 3001 B-, 3995 C+, 5078 C, 5744 C-, 6479D+ , 7732 D and 1950 E. Osewe said 49 schools attained a mean score of 6 .

He said it is the mandate of schools to cover the syllabus on time to allow time for revision.

Schools joint engagement is going on to ensure that top schools gauge the preparedness of their learners, an exercise that is also extended to smaller schools in the county.

He also said the Covid -19 holiday severely restricted learning although most schools engaged their students in online classes hence improving the performance.

required items. He arrived at the school in his primary school uniform and a pair of slippers for his form one admission.

His plight moved the school’s Chief Principal, Mr Godfrey Owour who allowed him to stay in school but appealed to well-wishers to come to his aid.

NANDI

1400 ECDE teachers employed on permanent terms

By Our Reporter

Nandi County Government has confirmed the employment of 1,400 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.

Governor Stephen Sang stated that his government has given priority to ECDE teachers’ welfare so as to enhance the foundation of the learning system .

Governor Sang further assured the county employees of getting promotions as one way of being motivated.

“We acknowledge that we still need more teachers in our schools and we shall recruit them in the long run. We have employed over 500 teachers over the last three years to curb teachers’ shortage ,” Governor Sang said.

Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association (Kepsha) Chairman Central Riwo Zone in West Pokot County, Mr Wahome Ngunyi has urged teachers countrywide to join the various registered teachers associations so as to benefit from their services.

Speaking during the sendoff of one of the greatest teachers in Riwo zone, Mr Wahome said teachers associations assist a lot when teachers are in need.

He was speaking during the funeral service of the late Salome Khatuchi Nasongo, a pioneer teacher at Pkopoch Primary School in West Pokot county Mr Christopher Kangogo former assistant Executive Secretary KNUT Uasin Gishu county branch described the late Salome’s parents as excellent investors of education.

Other officials from the strong Riwo Zone teachers’ welfare asso-

Kepsha Chairman, Mr Wahome Ngunyi. ciation included Mr. Kwalia Isaac (chairman), Mr James Bitok (secretary) and Madam Lucy Chemutai (treasurer).

Riwo Zone teachers’ welfare association is a symbol of successful teachers association offering quality and good services during sad and happier days alike.

UASIN GISHU

Mandago asks National Assembly to intervene on HELB funds

By Wasike Elvis

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has called on the National Assembly to ensure the National government releases the Higher Education Loans Board funds (HELB).

This comes after HELB wrote messages of regret to students informing them of the delays in the release of finances from the government.

Mandago expressed his worry about the fate of students studying at technical institutions across the country.

Mandago expressed concern that the Technical Vocational Education and Training programme

Governor Jackson Mandago. might go with the wind if HELB is not facilitated to ensure institutes churn out skilled personnel.

Kesses legislator disburses Sh32.6 million bursary

Stephen Sang, Nandi County Governor.

Kesses MP Dr Swarup Mishra presenting the Sh 32.6 bursary dummy cheque to beneficiaries.

Photo/Elvis Wasike

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

33

WESTERN KAKAMEGA

VIHIGA

1900 ECDE teachers receive pay hike

Joy as needy form one students are awarded scholarships

By Denis Lumiti

By Mathews Bulimo

1,901 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Kakamega County have received a pay rise.

The county government said the teachers would now be paid Ksh. 16,000 up from Ksh. 8,000 per month.

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said they would also employ more teachers to man the 266 centres because there was still a shortage.

‘Enrolment in ECDE centers in the county had increased from 3,055 in 2013 to over 124,000 in 2021,’he said.

The governor said the increase was boosted by their move to roll out free ECDE education.

Dr. Oparanya also pointed out that the county government had so far spent over Ksh. 2 Billion towards various education programmes.

The funds were spent on building, renovating and expanding primary and secondary schools, county polytechnics and ECDE centres.

He said other funds were utilized on bursaries and county Higher Education Loans Board loans, besides hiring of instructors for polytechnics.

The governor further said the county had partnered with the Ke-

Parents of 120 needy students enrolled to the Governor’s Scholarship Programme are a happy lot after Vihiga Governor Dr Wilber Ottichilo flagged off the students to join their respective secondary schools.

Speaking at Kidundu Stadium in Central Maragoli Ward, Otichillo challenged the beneficiaries of the programme to put their best foot forward in maintaining excellence.

The third cohort has seen over 100 students benefit from complete scholarship where the county government pays for school fees for their full secondary education.

The students are also taken through mentorship sessions during school holidays to enable them have a wider perspective regarding life choices.

The governor said his gov-

Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya flags off trucks ferrying furniture during launch of furniture to ECDE centres in Kakamega. Photo/Cally Imbayi nya Literature Bureau to print and publish branded learning materials that have been distributed to the ECDE centres and polytechnics.

“In total we have spent Ksh. 49,398,164 on ECDE teaching and learning materials and Ksh. 24,149,860 for polytechnics,” he added.

The governor also said that they are changing the terms of service for the polytechnic instructors from contractual to permanent and pensionable.

The county boss said his administration had invested Ksh. 156 Million towards equipping of polytechnics.

He further said they had spent another Ksh. 860 Million on infra-

structure development in public schools.

He pointed out that the county had also spent Ksh. 100 Million on the county HELB loans programme with 7,523 students benefiting.

“We have, at the same time, supported the education of 1,101 trainees in various learning institutions under the Afya Elimu Yetu Loans programme,” he said.

The governor was speaking at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega town when he launched the distribution of furniture to the ECDE centres across the county.

The desks were made by selected county polytechnics at a cost of Ksh. 54.5 Million.

BUNGOMA

Bungoma in dire need of home science, music and art, design teachers

By Tony Wafula

The recent Teachers Service Commission (TSC) recruitment nationwide has seen a massive number of applicants present their academic credentials to TSC offices in search of employment. Bungoma County in particular has seen over 10,000 teachers apply for employment.

Speaking to the press in his office, Bungoma county TSC director Japheth Kariuki, pointed out that the number of applications in primary schools was higher than that of secondary schools.

He said that a total of 8,000 teachers had applied for primary option yet TSC is only in need of 137 teachers.

Kariuki noted that the county is in dire need of home science, music as well as art and design teachers.

“I am appealing to those who

Japheth Kariuki, Bungoma County TSC director. Photo/ Tony Wafula. have done home science, music and art and design to submit their papers,” he said, adding that in the

secondary slots, TSC required 215 teachers and 54 additional teachers for replacement.

Kariuki assured applicants that TSC conducted a fair recruitment since it was done at Sub-county levels giving equal opportunities for all applicants.

He added that there is a different score sheet for people living with disability and if there is a tie, they are given a priority.

The director urged teachers who have graduated to go for internship programs since TSC gives them 30 marks compared to those who did not attend an internship.

He also appealed to teachers to go for the second jab of Covid-19 vaccine to cushion them against the pandemic. he added that at least 8 teachers have succumbed to Covid-19 pandemic in Bungoma County.

Misery as jiggers attack school in Webuye

By Tony Wafula Pupils at Sinoko FYM primary school in Webuye East Constituency, Bungoma County have been affected by jiggers that have led to deformation of legs and toes.

The number of jiggers cases within the locality has been on the rise.

Beatrice Khisa, the school head teacher said the cause of the jiggers’ infection is muddy

classrooms that aren’t conducive to lower primary pupils' learning.

“The most affected pupils are those in lower primary. It’s my humble appeal to the government through the Ministry of Health and other well-wishers to come to the aid of these pupils so that they can feel comfortable and boost their concentration in class,” she said.

She noted that the performance of the affected pupils have drastically dropped as they can-

not concentrate in class.

Bishop Abel Barasa of Agape Mission of Mercy church, who spoke to the press after handing over shoes to the affected pupils, urged the government to come to the aid of pupils and the school by building decent classrooms.

“I have decided to issue shoes to the affected pupils so they can be prevented from contracting more jiggers and also as a way of stopping the spread,” he said.

Wilber Ottichilo, Vihiga County Governor.

ernment will increase budgetary allocation to the scholarship kitty to enable more needy students get enrolled to the program. He was full of praise to the ward administrators who were at the centre of selection and vetting of the nominees to the program saying that it was done above board.

Education County Executive Committee Member Henry Lumbasio challenged parents to offer the much needed guidance to the students in order to enable them grow holistically.

He said the Governor’s Scholarship Program is backed by a policy that was adopted by the Cabinet adding that it is here to stay.

Chief Officer Pamela Mahila urged the students to be of good character as they join form one.

She said the department will ensure the students under the Governor’s Scholarship Program are well mentored to become responsible citizens.

The Governor’s Scholarship Program was launched in January 2019 .So far it has a total of 320 students enrolled with the first cohort now in Form Three.

Lavine Indieva a student joining Bunyore Girls National School could not hide her excitement on realizing that she was among those selected to join the program. She thanked the Governor for coming up with such a noble initiative to cushion the vulnerable from despair. She sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) at Mago Primary school and scored 392 marks.

BUSIA

Government urged to release CDF money on time

By Charles Ojiambo

The national government through Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has been urged to expedite the release of money to constituencies to help in running of the schools.

Nambale constituency CDF chairperson Alfred Okochil lamented over the delays in disbursing the funds saying it has greatly affected education standards.

His sentiments were echoed by personal assistant to Nambale MP Mr. Samwel Wandera who stressed on the importance of the government sending money to the constituency kits in adherence to the school learning program.

“The government knows that schools have a program which they follow and it’s prudent that they send money in line with those programs, “he said.

They were speaking at the Nambale CDF offices after issuing bursary cheques worth Ksh. 34,603,000 to secondary school students from the constituency.

Okochil said they are committed to improving the level of education in the constituency through putting up more classrooms, laboratories, libraries and offices in various schools.

Nambale constituency CDF chairperson Alfred Okochil. Photo/Charles Ojiambo Stephen Makonjio, principal Canon Awori secondary school whose school students were among the highest beneficiaries of the 2020-2021 bursary getting a total of Ksh. 314000 thanked the CDF committee for its exemplary work.

The school also earlier got Kshs 4.1millions which was used to put up a laboratory and Kshs 400,000 as emergency fund to repair a classroom which was blown off by the wind.

34

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

EDUCATION NEWS

University of Embu ranked best performing state corporation The attainment of Excellent Score in performance ranking would go a long way in informing the whole world that the university was committed towards maintaining very high standards of performance as enshrined in its vision of being an epicentre of excellence in teaching, research and innovation. - Prof. Mugendi

By Tindi Kuchio The University of Embu has been declared the best performing state corporation in Kenya during the 2019/2020 public service performance evaluations.

The evaluations were done by the Public Service Performance Management and Monitoring Unit (PSPMMU) through the Government Performance Contracting Information System (GPCIS) between November and December 2020.

In the public universities category, University of Embu was the best performing public university with a composite score of 2. 1250 which placed in the institution in the excellent category .

It was ranked number one out of the 37 public universities in the country.

The university was closely followed by Tharaka University College and the University of Nairobi which completed the list of the only three public universities to have attained the Excellent Score in their performance evaluation.

Speaking during a special occasion to celebrate the outstanding achievement at the institution recently, the university’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Daniel Mugendi Njiru, noted with great pride and satisfaction that the Uni-

Prof. Daniel Mugendi Njiru, Vice-Chancellor. versity of Embu had the overall highest composite score among all the 366 Government ministries, departments and agencies evaluated.

“Despite the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which hit the country in March, 2020, when we were in the second quarter of the performance cycle and the accompanying budget cuts to provide resources for addressing the pandemic, we still managed to achieve all our performance targets,” said Prof. Mugendi.

He noted that the outstanding performance affirmed that the university was on the right track in the achievement of the mission

for which it was established.

Prof. Mugendi observed that the attainment of Excellent Score in performance ranking would go a long way in informing the whole world that the university was committed towards maintaining very high standards of performance as enshrined in its vision of being an epicenter of excellence in teaching, research and innovation.

“The university has consistently attained and maintained an impressive performance trajectory in all its key performance indicators since its establishment. We have attained the Excellent ranking for the sixth time running from the financial year 2014/2015 evaluations up to the current 2019/2020,” revealed the

Vice-Chancellor.

Prof. Mugendi pointed out that being number one was indeed a huge milestone and was an affirmation of the university’s commitment in maintaining quality and high standards in all its operations.

“We at the University of Embu believe that excellence comes first in all that we do. We are committed to continue working even harder to sustain our excellence in performance,” he concluded.

Speaking during the same event, the university’s Chancellor, Prof. Paul Musili Wambua said that in its short history since being charted in 2016, the University of Embu had built a solid reputation as an institution to

The university’s performance over the last eight years is as shown in the table below.

Financial Year 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020

Composite Score 2.6897 2. 7122 1. 8548 1. 9448 1. 8774 1. 9965 1. 8150 2.1250

New secondary Schools ease 100 per cent transition in Nairobi County

By Roy Hezron A total of three new public secondary schools are currently operational while four are still under construction in Nairobi City County to ease the pressure of 100 per cent transition as the county reports high turnout of Form One admission.

Regional Director (RD) of Education Jared Obiero told Education News on July 4, 2021 that Githurai, Satellite Mixed, and Woodley Boys Secondary Schools which are already operational will go a long way in improving the County’s education standard and improving infrastructure development in schools.

He revealed that a total of four Secondary Schools are which are Gituamba, Nairobi South, Kongoni Mixed and Njiru Secondary Schools are currently under construction and soon will be operational.

According to data from the RD’s office as per the last term of 2020 School calendar (Term

Nairobi Regional Education Director Obiero Gerald (left) and Mombasa Regional Education Director Hussein Osman (second left) chat with Nairobi County secondary school principals during a meeting in Mombasa. three), the county had a total of 102 public Secondary Schools with a total enrollment of 71, 741 students of whom majority are girls who were 36, 378 while boys were 35, 363.

reckon with, and one that is committed to excellence.

He averred that the institution had established a tradition of providing students with an outstanding educational experience.

“The new ranking acknowledges the university’s commitment to delivering high quality programmes, fostering excellence in research and scholarly work, and providing unique and transformative learning experiences that put our graduates on the path to success,” stated the Chancellor.

The event was attended by the university staff, students, Council Chairman, Dr. Kennedy Okong’o and other council members.

The sub-counties which had the highest number of public secondary schools were Njiru, Westlands and Kasarani which had 14 schools each, while Makadara and Dagoreti had 11 and 10 schools

respectively.

Lang’ata and Mathare Subcounties had the least number of students enrolled, with Mathare which has 4 public secondary schools had the least number of boys enrolled at 657 boys, with girls being majority at 1, 232 making a total enrollment in the subcounty tallying to only 1, 889.

Lang’at sub-county which only has 3 public secondary schools had the least number of girls enrolled at 582 girls while boys were 1067 making a total enrollment of 1, 649 students.

A total of 205 public primary schools are in the county with enrollment of 224,499 pupils as per term three with boys being 110, 560 while girls 113, 939.

On public Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Centres, the County has 220 public ECDE centres with an enrollment of 22, 701 leaners as per third term of 2020 School Calendar of whom 11, 976 leaners were boys while girls were 10,725.

Regarding the Form One ad-

Composite Score Very Good.

Very Good.

Excellent.

Excellent.

Excellent.

Excellent.

Excellent.

Excellent. mission, Obiero stated that the turn-out was at 80 per cent as per the third day of reporting (July 4, 2021) with Extra and County Schools being at 50 per cent, and hoped to achieve 100 per cent reporting by the last day of reporting, adding that they will use all mechanism of locating those who will fail to report.

He urged the parents to continue meeting their education obligation despite the government easing the burden of school fees for smooth running of school programmes, and added that if there any genuine and which can be properly be supported, they can raise the same with their respective Sub-county Directors of Education.

Some of the national schools in the county which are expected to receive the highest number of students and which will be up for grab in the Form One admission include Pangani Girls, Kenya High, Lenana and Nairobi School among other extra county and county schools in the county.

However, two Sub-counties have changes in their management with Grace Mutero being the new Kamukunji Sub-County Director of Education from Mathare sub-county; while Lucy Musyoka from Kilifi County replacing her in Mathare.

EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

35

Joel Omino School leads in implementation of Education for Sustainable Development

By Fredrick Odiero

J

oel Omino Mixed Secondary School in Kisumu County has become the first institution in the country to implement the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

The school is set to supplement efforts by the county government in boosting forest and tree cover in Kisumu region.

School Principal Mr. Richard Nyayal said that the arboretum at the institution is ready to sell assorted seedlings to the county government and members of

materials for art work, the students are exposed to subjects related to history, technology, democracy and social sciences.”

Nyayal noted.

He added that the traditional Luo homestead is used to preserve culture and educate the students on the need to preserve the same where the ultimate goal of the joint-project include setting up demonstration centres which will serve as resource centre for the community and other schools.

“We are committed to education for sustainable development at all costs,” he

vegetables for the school as well as being used by students to learn Agriculture as part of education for sustainable development.

Schools across the country have been visiting the institution with the aim of borrowing a leaf on the unique development.

Besides the Food Tower at the school, the other notable aspect is the bio-sand water filter where they produce clean drinking water which is sieved through sand and drained to super drums.

“It is this ESD project on food tower that impressed a group of university students

Some of features in the ESD project include learning physics and technology through water purification processes while others include science through organic agriculture, economics and entrepreneurship through the establishment of an organic bakery, sheep rearing and poultry keeping. the public and that the first ESD project was launched in August 2013 at the school.

Some of tasks in the ESD project include learning physics and technology through water purification processes while others include science through organic agriculture, economics and entrepreneurship through the establishment of an organic bakery, sheep rearing and poultry keeping.

Other aspects like historic knowledge and traditional society is gained during the process of building traditional Luo-tribe houses. The project is purely run by the students as the school fulfills the motto of developing each student’s head, hand and heart.

“By way of utilizing recycled

said.

The arboretum is one of the projects which the school has been implementing in ESD that was launched in July 2013 by the then Israeli Ambassador to Kenya Gil Haskel, thus, making it the pioneer school with the kind of project in the country. In the arboretum they have planted both indigenous and exotic plants that act as natural habitat for birds in order to balance nature and provide a micro-park.

The birds are fed with kitchen refuse and left-overs.

“This makes us a home of a variety of birds which are ever here for feeding hence our visitors’ ears are met by pleasant tunes from them,” the Principal said.

The project is providing

from Israel and they decided to donate a new greenhouse for the school in order to help in enhancing the horticultural farming in the school as part of the ESD project,” he said.

He noted that the school has harvested tomatoes which were planted and pests biologically prevented in the greenhouse therefore free from chemicals.

A kilogramme of the tomatoes is sold at Sh100 where teachers and members of the local community are the major customers.

The school advised both students and parents to fully embrace the ESD concept as it can greatly help them at home as it strives to drive the concept of ESD to the students for them not only to embrace environmental conservation but also instil

Richard Nyayal at the Joel Omino Mixed Secondary School food tower. religious, cultural values and conflict resolution.

The concept is strongly reinforced by five pillars of five ‘Rs’; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse and Repair.

There is also a traditional hut which is located at the main entrance where the artifacts and other items that depict culture and traditions of the local community are exhibited.

“The Traditional hut within the school also serves as a conference room which hosts all our meetings including BOGs, PTA and Staff Meetings among others as well as hosting high profile Guests,” says the Principal The school will be taking 9 students to public universities out of the 104 who sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations as they focus to do better in the next examinations.

Several high school principals reshuffled in Western

By Denis Lumiti Tom Shivisa, the principal of Kivaywa boys high school in Lugari, Kakamega County where three security guards were murdered is among the many principals who have been reshuffled in Western region.

Teachers Service Commission instructed Tom Shivisa to take over Samoei Secondary School in Nandi County.

The Principal had complained of threats on his life immediately Western TSC Regional Director Lillian Mwangi (centre) with Nairobi Regional after he was posted to Education Director Obiero Gerald (left) and Mombasa Regional Education Director Hussein Osman, during a previous Nairobi KESSHA meeting. File/Photo Kivaywa boys.

The school has already benefited from a Sh13 million ultramodern facility which will house several departments courtesy of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) through Kisumu Central Member of Parliament Fred Ouda.

Nyayal lauded the MP for the gesture and said the school, which was founded in1996 by the community is full of enthusiasm and eagerness to prosper academically.

The school has 18 teachers employed by the Teacher’s Service Commission (TSC) and two more by the school’s Board of Management (BOM).

The school boasts of a population of over 600 students.

Lack of enough laboratories and students coming from poor and vulnerable backgrounds are some of the challenges facing the institution.

‘

In a statement he filed with the police, Shivisa said he feared for his life and believed that the thugs who murdered the guards were after his life.

It is alleged that some local politicians were against his takeover of the institution because he was not a local.

He has been replaced by Philip Wamanga of Bungoma County’s Teremi Boys High School.

Felix Juma,

Shivisa said he feared for his life and believed that the thugs who murdered the guards were after his life. who was at Moyokwe secondary school, will now head Bukembe boys high school.

Alex Sibweche of Kabula Boys in Bungoma has been moved to St. Aquinas Madende in Busia.

Elphas Aliva Luvaso of Terenganyi Boys in Kehancha, Migori County will now be back in Western region to head Teremi Boys.

There was confusion after Luvaso received a transfer letter to Kibabii Boys only for him to receive another one instructing him to report to Teremi instead.

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EDUCATION NEWS

AUG 12 - 26, 2021

Food vendors banned in schools The Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the county governments have been tasked to implement the responsibility and also carry out monitoring and evaluation of the same.

By Staff Reporter The implementation of a new directive released by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Security will see the closure of kiosks near schools.

The guidelines titled National Guidelines for Alcohol and Substance use Prevention and management in Basic Education Institutions, 2021 will also lead to monitoring of school canteens.

The new move by the government is meant to prevent the use of alcohol and substance abuse among leaners in basic leaning institutions.

The guidelines, which are developed by National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and jointly signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha and Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i have tasked school administrations to report any alcohol advertisements or billboards next to schools, to the

CS for Interior, Fred Matiangi (left), his Education counterpart, Prof. George Magoha and former CEO KNEC Mercy Karogo during the announcement of the 2017 KCSE results in Nairobi on November 21, 2017. File/Photo Sub-County Education office.

The guidelines were launched at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) on July 9, 2021.

Schools were tasked with the responsibilities of maintaining vigilance and ensuring that no al-

cohol or substance is used within the school premises, developing guidelines for incident management for Board of Management (BOM) teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and visitors to the school,collaborating with law enforcers and immediate com-

Retired teacher’s ‘excessive’ love for trees should be conserved as they are purifiers of the air we breath,” he conA one hour drive from stantly reminds his lisKisii town along the busy teners. He said teachers Kisii-Kilgoris highway stand at a better chance of brings you to Magena town, conserving and preservafter which a turn to the right ing the environment by leads you to the home of instilling this concept in retired teacher Mr Wilfred the youth at their formaNyasaka. Although retired, tive years to grow with it. he is not tired. He is ever “Once a teacher, a busy in his homestead which teacher always remains a is surrounded by all sorts of teachers,” he quips, addvegetation, that testifies to ing that his next mission his love of for trees.

He says that his love Mr Nyasaka (second left) with some is to tour all schools in for forestry started in 1963 teachers who visited him recently Kisii county to encourwhen he was in standard to learn a thing or two on affores- age the locals to embrace proper management and six at Magena Primary tration. Photo/Enock Okong’o planting more trees. By School. After compleNarok county where he develtion of his standard 8 primary oped more love towards indig- doing this, he adds, the young course, he was employed as an enous trees, more so because generation will be encouraged to be active members in the untrained teacher and worked they are medicinal. for more many years before he Nyasaka uses his home fight against global warming.

When teachers visit his retired voluntarily to join the to teach the locals on the imMinistry of Agriculture where portance of conserving the home, Nyasaka whose slogan he worked with passion as he environment. Teachers of Ag- is “Play your role with passion” was inclined towards forestry. riculture and Biology frequent tells them to use nature as their He worked at various sta- his home for the practical les- best laboratory to impart lasting tions in the country including sons of their students. “Forests knowledge to the learners.

By Enock Okong’o

munity to deal with peddlers within the community as well as ensuring that teachers and other relevant staff are equipped with knowledge and skills to conduct effective inspection.

The Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the county governments have been tasked to implement the responsibility and also carry out monitoring and evaluation of the same.

County governments will also institute and strengthen policy and legal frameworks to deter establishment of structures manufacturing, storing or selling alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in and around basic education institutions.

“My Ministry is regularly conducting compliance checks to ensure that there are no alcohol selling premises near institutions of learning for persons below the age of eighteen. In addition, Law Enforcement Officers are well briefed on stamping out underage drinking as stipulated in the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010,” noted Dr. Matiang’i.

The Ministry of Interior shall support schools in handling incidents that relate to illegal drug possession through national government officers and local security agencies. It will also promote

public awareness within the community on harms caused by alcohol and drugs and encourage child protection through barazas .

A National Survey of the general populace conducted in 2017

by NACADA showed that alcohol is the most abused substance with 12.2 per cent of persons aged 15 – 65 years being active users. Tobacco closely followed with a prevalence rate of 8.3 per cent, Miraa at 4.1 per cent and Cannabis at 1.0 per cent.

Findings by NACADA in 2019 revealed that 20 percent of pupils had used at least one drug in their lifetime and that adults played a role in initiating children to drug use.

The other key players in the prevention and management of alcohol and substance use in schools include Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Ministry of Health, Department of Children’s Services, County Education Boards, School BOM, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and guardians as well as the community. Others are Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and development partners.

Kwale school where teachers, pupils share toilet

By Collins Akong’o Tumaini primary school head teacher Ali Gasinya has urged the government to intervene and help set up infrastructure in the school.

The school, which has 226 pupils and 11 teachers, only has one toilet serving both the teachers and pupils.

Gasinya said the lack of toilets and dilapidated classrooms has affected the school’s performance.

He said that the guidelines made by the government indicate that staff and pupils should use different toilets but that isn’t the case in his school.

His appeal comes three weeks after Kinango MP Benjamini Tayari opened a new block of four classrooms in the school, built through the Constituency Development Fund.

Gasinya said the MP alone cannot solve all their problems and requested for help from the national government and sponsors.

“We shall use the new building for ECDE and Class 1-3. What about four to eight? It means they have to remain in the old structures,” the headmaster said.

He further noted that the weak mud walls and makuti-thatched roofs might col-

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Pupils of Tumaini primary school during break time. Inset: Ali Gasinya, head teacher has appealed to the government assist the school. Photo/Collins Akong’o. lapse during heavy rains risking the lives of the pupils.

He also expressed concerns over the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum in the school saying parents might not afford textbooks.

The school will sit Kenya Certificate of Primary Education for the first time this year. So far, it has enrolled 16 candidates.

Area legislator said that majority of the 174 public primary schools in Kinango are in pathetic conditions.

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