HABARI: NEWS DECEMBER 2012
The school year ended well after the 20 candidates took their last examination paper on December 6, a day before my 32nd ordination anniversary and a day exactly seven years since ground breaking for the first building in the school to mark my 25th ordination anniversary – hence Jubilee School.
I talked with the students and teachers each day of examination and every time they sounded excited about the examinations. The teachers were not allowed to see the papers even after each examination test had been done. I was an invigilator of this examination for some years in an elementary school neighboring the Diocesan school for boys that I headed in Lemek – Narok. From the National examination headquarters the examinations papers for each school are dispatched to District Education Headquarters and from there they are transported to school. The schools that are not far from the main office get their examinations papers each morning of the three examination days and the student answer papers are returned to the main office every day. The papers come to school sealed and have to be opened in the presence of the candidates and one or two of the school teachers. All the student answer sheets are also sealed in the same manner in a provided envelope. Each school gets invigilators for examinations and a security man or woman and depending on how large the school may be. Schools with candidates who can fit in one classroom without colluding may have two invigilators and a security person. Schools that may have many candidates that may need to use one large room or two or more rooms may get more invigilators and more security people. The day before the examinations start the entire group of candidates has a rehearsal and this makes them familiar with the invigilators, especially the security people who usually have a gun with them. The children are instructed well on all the rules for the examination and are fully aware that the invigilators and the security people are friendly people.
EDUCATION IN KENYA: “The Standard” a local paper in Kenya (December 17, 2012) shared on a report that gives a picture of Education in Kenya and I share this information because it carries a number of points that I have discussed with Friends of Father Symon School for Nomads, especially the reason for a boarding school where even little ones have to stay away from their families in order to go to school.
The report says that, at least a million children are out of school despite introduction of the Free Primary Education (FPE) program by the government nine years ago.
The Director of Basic Education in Kenya disclosed that the dropout rate was alarming even as government had stepped up efforts to reduce the number of children not going to school. The children most affected are those from pastoralist communities. The ministry is also grappling with the fact that children are still dropping out even though they benefit from free school feeding program (in public schools). The Director said that out of the 9.4 million pupils currently in public and private institutions, dropout rate stands at 4.6 % annually. Children who drop out face a bleak future. They are more likely to be illiterate, unemployed and will live in poverty. Young girls very likely face early arranged marriages.
The Director pointed out that the problem is compounded by the fact that some parents have little enthusiasm for education and instead of encouraging children to remain in school, choose to just look the other way. Among these children, there are those who desire education but the parents’ lifestyles hinder their dreams. Other factors include lack of connection to the school due to perception that learning is boring, feeling unmotivated, academic challenges, and personal situations.
The Director also expressed concern even in areas where the government introduced free school feeding program, mainly in pastoral and informal settlements, they still record high dropout rates and low enrolment. It is recorded that children from the pastoralist communities (like the Maasai) were still being forced to abandon their learning program in search of water and pasture for their livestock.
“These movements do not allow pupils to continue with their education and have to drop out so as to relocate to areas that can support their livelihoods.” Absenteeism is one of the commonest indicator of student disengagement from learning and a significant cause of drop out.
Recently I had a brief meeting with one of School for Nomads generous donors who expressed concern over my report in the November letter that some children had left the school. I am sure there are other friends who may have the same question but as we can realize from the report I have shared, there are a number of reasons that are beyond our control. Parents may say that they cannot afford school fees any more or they are relocating to a distant place and may not be able to visit their child.
RAIN WATER: The project for harvesting rain water from our building roofs that has been sponsored by Heini for Africa-Austria was completed and plastering of the cistern under a classroom which was funded by US friends fund was also completed. It is also reported that rains came before Christmas and water was well collected. All the tanks are full and the cistern is also full of water. This project has solved a big water problem for the school, children and staff can now have clean soft water and this is a health investment for the school community. I wish to thank all those involved in funding this water project.
CONSTRUCTION: Part of the funds that were given with the water money by Heini for Africa was agreed to initially start construction of an administration building and a library cum computer instruction room. Foundation, walls of the first floor and casting of the second floor slab has been completed.
2013: The schools resume on January 7, 2013 after end of the year break. We expect new third graders and if we have more than ten applicants for first grade we shall start so long as all of them will be day scholars.
I hope to visit Kenya as I usually do early in the year.
Happy New Year!
Fr. Ntaiyia