HABARI: NEWS SEPTEMBER 2017
Father Ntaiyia Jubilee School like other Schools in Kenya re-opened for third trimester on August 28 after almost four weeks for break. Students and staff had traveled well to and from their homes for this break. During this school break, general elections were held in Kenya. We are glad that things went on well and are calm even though the presidential elections were nullified and are currently scheduled to be repeated next month. Reporting back to School for students was a little slow this time probably because it was about the end of the month which dictates availability of cash money for those who depend on salaries and even those who depend on selling their produce to have cash for use and fees for students. In a few days, however, most of the students were back and learning and other school activities were resumed without delay. Generally, for both staff and students life was as usual at their home areas during the break. Although drought had been reported in most parts of Kenya for the last few months there was no unusual report on this but for ordinary challenges that people face with life.
ACADEMIC REPORT:
Before going home for August break, the teachers had compiled a very encouraging report on how the students had been doing in learning per outcome of interschools end of second trimester divisional examinations. All grades (classes) had an area of progress and success. Such same examinations with other schools show that our teachers are following required syllabus and mode of teaching expected of all schools and using the right books and materials and keeping the students in the appropriate pace of learning. This is very good for our students and teachers. I had called to congratulate the teachers through Deputy Head teacher for their efforts and especially for encouraging the students. We know students vary in ability to learn but each one of them needs to have hope that they will move on well in the next grade and year. Our teachers and students are grateful that we have equipped the school with what is required for teaching and learning. We have text books needed for use by all students and teachers at all levels. We also provide any supplementary books and materials for teachers.
HIGHLIGHT DURING THIS TRIMESTER
Parents visiting day has always been a highpoint in every trimester in our school, a day in the middle of the term when parents come to visit their children and the school in general. From last year however, the Ministry of Education in Kenya prohibited the practice of visiting day during the third trimester of school year. This is because it is short, about nine weeks or one month shorter than first and second trimesters and has preparation for final public examinations for graduating classes all over the country. Those not graduating are also having their final trimester in the grades they are in and are preparing to join upper grade in the coming year. In Fr. Ntaiyia School we have encouraged having a one-day educational trip for our final class during this trimester before their final examinations and last days in our School. This happened successfully last year and we also had it this month. This year the teachers planned again for a route where children can learn as they travel and visit places that may enlighten them, some of them see things they have learned about. This year was a one-day trip by bus to a City called Kisumu at the shores of Lake Victoria which is the source of river Nile that flows for about 4,250 miles north to Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea. Such a trip is amazing for students from Maasai land, especially those who have not travelled much. They see how other communities live in small farms and keep their few cows and sheep in a small area; they see plantations of various food crops; they see tea, coffee and sugar cane plantations. Headed by Deputy Head teacher, final class teacher, two more teachers and the matron of the school, the students visited and saw an Irrigation Scheme at a place called Ahero. An international airport where they saw planes land and take off, a weather station, a Museum and the landmark of East Africa, the Lake Victoria. The students returned to a waiting and welcoming community of staff and fellow students and you can be sure those who made the trip will have endless stories to tell. I thank all those who were involved in planning for such a successful trip. The parents are also happy that the staff took good care of the students during the trip and especially in making sure that the transportation was reliable and the trip was very educational.
SHORT TRIMESTER:
The government has adjusted the academic calendar for the third term to make room for the repeat presidential poll scheduled for October 26. The third trimester, which also happens to be the shortest term in the school calendar, was supposed to run for nine weeks. Schools opened on August 28 and the initial plans were to have all schools close on October 29 ahead of start of public examinations in School. The Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (KCPE) dates have not, however, been affected and will run as scheduled from October 30 to November 3. This is the public examination that all the students take before they proceed to High School. Although it is still debated we are hoping that the repeat presidential election will not interfere with preparations for these examinations, and that it will be peaceful so that the students will not be taking examinations during a chaotic time in the country. Elections in Kenya have ended in a messy way in the past and we still have sad memories of loss of life and instability that persists.
THE NEW CURRICULUM IN KENYA
The pilot for the new education system was launched in April this year and the plan is to have it up and running in January. According to the Ministry of Education information in the daily papers on April 20, participating private and public schools were selected scientifically with rural and urban representation. It was mentioned that a report on the exercise will be presented to the Cabinet for adoption before being submitted to Parliament for approval by the end of this year. This may be the reason why not much has been said about the exercise because the country has been busty with elections that are not over yet as repeat elections for president are on the way. Hopefully we shall know what we need to do in preparation and implementation.
As reported in my last blog letter of July, in the meeting of BOD for Friends of Father Ntaiyia School Charity we felt the need to reserve some funds that may be at hand for implementation of the new curriculum. We would like to be ready to equip the school with whatever will be essential for the changes that the new curriculum will bring to the teachers and students.
To all our friends and well-wishers, thank you for your support.
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Fr. Symon Peter Ntaiyia