OCTOBER 2016:
The month of October presented unusual weather characterized by a long spell of drought unlike in the past when the region usually received good rains from October through November and December. Temperatures remained high at day times. Dusts and strong winds became the order of the day. Cold drinks and cool shades during such periods are a welcome gift to everyone. The type of clothing matters and the activities for the day need to be carefully selected to avoid exposure to intensive heat which may lead to sunburns or dehydration. Physical education programs which are very essential for learning and healthy development especially in lower grades have to be scheduled for early or mid-mornings. However, our students seem acclimatized to this condition as they still remain active in various out door activities during their breaks or free times.
FATHER NTAIYIA’S VISIT
Having been away from Kenya for almost a year, news about our school proprietor, Fr Symon’s visit brought a lot of excitement not only among the students but also the school workers who kept inquiring about his arrival long before it was even confirmed. Fr Symon had hinted towards the end of the last trimester that he would be coming home, from US, before the end of the term. Expectations were high especially among the 3rd graders and some of our staff who joined the school community this year and had not met him.
The afternoon of Tuesday, 11th October, will remain in the minds of many. The students waited expectantly in their classes for his arrival and any sound of a passing vehicle made them peep through the windows to catch a glimpse of what was going on outside the classes. Then the long wait was over!
His Suzuki made its way into the school compound at around 5:15 pm and ululations rented the air as the students came running out of their classes leaving their teachers behind and began milling around the vehicle. Everyone was eager to catch the first sight of the man who has become a ‘father’ to many young people who have had an opportunity to learn and be mentored in Fr Ntaiyia Jubilee School, his brain-child, which has been in existence since the year 2009. With a big smile on his face, well calculated moves and open arms, he advanced towards the jubilant children, greeted them the Maasai way and took photos as he exchanged pleasantries with them. After briefly meeting the teachers and other staff, he left the school compound for his place of residence for a rest after a seemingly tiring journey. An indication of a hardworking man, he immediately settled down to prepare his work plan with a series of briefings / meetings with the administration, teachers as well as announcing the school development plans. His presence, especially at the time the candidates are undertaking the national examination, is a source of inspiration.
EDUCATIONAL REPORT
It will be remembered that this is the shortest trimester of the 2016 academic year comprising of 9 study weeks without co-curricular activities in all schools. The students have to be prepared adequately for learning activities before they write their assessment examinations which would also be used for promotion to the next grade at the beginning of next year.
The yearend examinations were scheduled for the 8th week before the schools’ closure to make way for national public examinations for the 8th graders. The examinations done jointly with other schools were then analyzed by the teachers in order to prepare academic reports which would be sent to the parents. These reports summarize the achievements made in the academic year and recommend policies and strategies to be employed in order to maintain academic progress next year. We are optimistic that the good results we have witnessed this year will continue to strengthen and motivate the learners as they prepare to join new grades.
The final public national examinations for our 8th graders mark the end of learning in Kenya elementary schools. This examination has over the years been rocked by rampant cases of cheating reported in some parts of the country. This year, however, the ministry of Education came up with very strict guidelines which brought an end to this perennial challenge of administering credible examinations. On our part, we have always prepared our candidates to face the examinations with honesty, emphasizing the need to value our students’ ability and Father Ntaiyia has always wanted all-around well given education.
As reported in our last September blog, the government of Kenya, through the ministry of education, is fast-tracking the educational reforms. A report tabled by educational researchers, stakeholders and government agencies have maintained their stand on the need to review the Kenyan education system and recommend ways and means to enable it to enhance national unity, mutual social responsibility and accelerated industrial and technological development. The government’s plan is to change the current structure of the present system of education. We, in Fr Ntaiyia Jubilee School, are keenly following the discussions and are aware that we shall not be left behind when changes come.
FROM FATHER NTAIYIA:
Our readers will have noted in the last blogs that I am encouraging the teachers or one of them to be writing the school report. I only go through it to make some things clear after consulting with the Head or Deputy Head Teacher.
Below however is my contribution to the letter covering my visit in Kenya in October and November.
Friends of Father Ntaiyia Jubilee School always give us a good end of year and beginning of each school year because their Christmas donations help us to plan for desirable needs in the school. I have mentioned in the past that in the spirit of “no gift is too small” such gifts help us to keep school fees low and affordable. Because of such gifts, this year, Friends of Father Jubilee School Charity BOD budgeted for some new text books for children, new benches for use at dining tables, new desks for children who needed them, construction of a 1,910 feet long and 8 feet high stone perimeter wall around five acres of school compound, two metal gates, relocating of long drop outdoors toilets for girls and one for boys. We were also able to carry out a ten-thousand-dollar rain water harvesting project that is placing gutters on the roof of our administration building from which we shall harvest the rain water, building a base for four large water tanks and purchasing the water tanks. The four tanks will hold about 23,000 gallons of clean water when full. We are also making individual desks for each teacher to be placed in the new staffroom. In some private schools to have such projects funded would mean increasing school fees or asking for development money from parents.
I was in Kenya for six weeks during October-November that I mostly spent in the school with the children as I was overseeing some of the works, especially the water project. My mind often came back to many friends who have made this school possible. Our final class this year took their public examinations while I was there and I visited them each day. These were some of my best days during this break. After their exams they left the school for good. I had three more weeks of work to go. About two weeks after my return to the US I received news that all our 31 candidates who took their public examinations this year have made it and will be going to High Schools. A girl was leading in my school and we are still waiting to know how we ranked among other schools. I called to thank the teachers and all the workers for the good job in spite of the change of leadership in the school after Sisters left early in the year.
Thanks to all our friends for by sharing your donations during Christmas you bring Christ the “Light of the World” to these children and their families and what a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Fr. Ntaiyia