HABARI NEWS: JANUARY – APRIL 2021
In my last blog at the end of 2020, I mentioned that the school in Kenya reopened in October after being close in March 2020 because of COVID-19. I further stated that this resumption of studies, was for Grade Four, grade Eight and graduating class of High school for their second term (trimester) of the school year. This means that grades one, two, three, five, six and seven did not resume learning until January 2021 when all the students resumed together including 4th and 8th graders after Christmas break.
Early January 2021 the ministry of education in Kenya released the school schedule for the next three years starting January 4, 2021. This was going to be the second trimester for most learners who have been out schools since March 2020 and third term for grades 4 and 8 who had had their first term from October to December. The normal school calendar in Kenya will be expected to resume in 2023 when the crash program to recover time lost to the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to end. The news for reopening the schools for all students was very welcome although there were many questions regarding the safety of the learners and Covid-19, but the good experience of the trimester between October and December which grades 4 and 8 had completed made the parent to trust that learning institutions are safe for the learners, teachers, and all other school staff. Parents were not hesitant in bringing their children back to school. SEE PICTURES
FATHER NTAIYIA JUBILEE SCHOOL: We were looking forward for the learners of all grades to come back. We also had confidence on the experience of the trimester we had gone through in COVID-19 era between October and December even though we had less than half of our enrolled students. Like all other school in Kenya our students resumed in January for the second term (trimester) of the school year that is 2020. Our staff teaching staff and other members of school community resumed their duties as well. SEE PICTURES:
CHALLENGES: Everyone was to be made aware of the new situation they were in regarding being in compliance with COVID-19 rule. Father Ntaiyia informed the Headteacher that the rules have to be mentioned practically on daily basis and be practically taught. A few of our students were transferred by their parents to other schools. We also hand a few pupils joining our school in different grades and this was understandable after seven months put of school. Three of our teachers also left for but we were able to recruit new teachers to replace them.
Most of the parents are having difficulties paying school fees and it is understandable because of effects of COVID-19. Some lost their employment, and farmers cannot trade in open markets.
LEARNING: All grades went on as expected with learning activities, the 8th graders were preparing for their last trimester in our school and 4th graders were taking their last trimester before joining 5th. grade in July this year. The teachers and all staff kept doing their work and gradually as the semester advanced the ministry assessment for 3rd and 4th. graders were conducted while the rest of the students made in their internal examinations. Third graders had their practical assessment.
SEE PICTURES:
SPORTS ACTIVITIES: Because of the pandemic, the schools in Kenya have not been allowed to have inter schools’ competition in games and athletics. Our staff, however, organizes some internal sports activities each trimester. It appears from their story and pictures that the students and staff had a very happy and successful day on this. After the games there follows celebrations with refreshment. Tea or Soda (juice) with bread is always a treat for our school children in some parts of our Country Kenya. SEE PICTURES
FAITH FORMATION: As I mentioned in the past, faith formation in Schools is allowed in Kenya. Both public and private schools allow stents to be taught and practice their faith. Parents, however, must be involved in decision making for the faith of their children especially when they are underage. With the help of the priests in the parish and their catechist our students get faith formation and Mass each week. The non-Catholics are not required to change their faith. Each year we have some of our students baptized and make their first holy communion and also receive confirmation when the local Bishop is confirming in the Parish. The parents are happy and thankful that this is done when their children are in a boarding school. SEE PICTURES
TRIMESTER BREAK: Before public examinations take place, the continuing students go home for a break leaving the candidates on their own for their public examination in the school. After taking their end of trimester internal examinations the students left on March 19th. SEE PICTURES
PUBLIC EXAMINATION FOR 2020: Elementary school grade 8 public examination for 2020 was done in March 2021 that is the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) SEE PICTURES
As in every year the candidates were treated to a well-wishing and good-bye party. They had a meal with the staff before they returned all the schoolbooks and other items for the last time during their years in Father Ntaiyia Jubilee School.
This national examination that ends elementary schooling for those who take them and from there the students go to High Schools. There were 1,179,182 million candidates sat the KCPE this time.
SEE PICTURES
The results of the National examinations were out on Thursday April 15. We had 61 students and the results indicated that 53 were above the pass mark for joining High Schools. The remaining 8, six will have no problem finding private High School and the other 2 hopefully will continue with education in some ways.
Our best students had 379 out of 500 points while the best student in the country had 433. Considering that school calendar was interrupted by the long closure occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and a 16.4 per cent drop nationwide. I am happy with the results and congratulate our students, teachers, and other staff. I wish on behalf of the BOD of Friends of Father Ntaiyia Jubilee School, Inc… to thank friends and well-wishers of the school as we also share this joy with those who visited me with a card and donation for the school during my 40th ordination anniversary.
DEVELOPMENT: We had 2021 first BOD meeting for Father Ntaiyia Jubilee School 501 (c) (3) Charity – organization that manages donation for the school. We are thankful to Friends of the School’s and well-wishers especially during Father Symon’s 40th. anniversary for the gifts to the school. We worked on financial reports, update on the school in general and review on the projects in 2020 and 2021 projects. The details on what has been done and will still be done this year will be deliberated in our next meeting in July if not before.
Schools resumed learning on May 10, 2021. for what is now the third trimester of the year 2020 for grades 3,5,6, and 7. We have 165 students in the school now because 4th. graders are out on a long break and will come back as 5th. graders in July when we shall have shall start a new school year. We shall also admit our 3rd graders for the new year who will join Father Ntaiyia School for the first time.
With my prayers,
Fr. Symon Ntaiyia email: frntaiyia@yahoo.com
School website: https://mhl.hxi.mybluehost.me/website_e30e867a
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