Baringo, Kenya – Following recent insecurity incidents in Baringo County, authorities have moved to reassure parents and guardians about the safety of their children in schools. This assurance is particularly relevant for form one students who are set to enroll in various National, County, and Extra-County schools in the region starting next week.
According to Kenya New Agency, Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa confirmed that security measures have been significantly strengthened, particularly in the Baringo North Sub-County and other conflict-prone areas. This enhancement comes after the national government, through the Ministry of Interior, deployed police and national Police Reservists to patrol the region.
Kutwa reported that primary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions in the county have reopened, with about 70% of students having reported back to school. He noted that all teachers are present, and normal learning activities have resumed across the county.
In areas along the county’s borders, which occasionally experience insecurity, schools have been renovated with the assistance of the Kenya Defense Forces. These schools now have a permanent security presence to ensure the safety of parents, teachers, and students.
Kutwa urged education stakeholders to maintain close communication with security agencies, allowing for rapid response to any emerging issues or tensions to ensure uninterrupted learning. He also called on locals to foster and promote peace, emphasizing its importance for the region’s and the country’s overall well-being.
BUNGOMA – Two students from Bungoma High School are still waiting for their 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary School (KCSE) results due to issues with misplaced marks.
According to Kenya New Agency, The school’s Senior Principal, Enock Andaje, spoke from his office on Thursday, explaining that while 344 students sat for the examinations, results for two students are pending. “I am appealing to the affected students and their parents to be patient with us as the Ministry is working to release their results,” Andaje stated.
Bungoma High School saw an improvement in the last year’s KCSE results, achieving a mean score of 7.13, an increase from the 6.74 mean score in 2022. The school ranked second in Bungoma South Sub-county, following St. Mary’s Kibabii boys, which topped the list with a mean grade of 8.0. Cardinal Otunga Girls High School placed third in the recently released exams.
The school’s performance included eight A grades, 24 B+, 55 B, 45 B-, 67 C+, 88 C, 44 C-, and 13 D-. “We appreciate the Board of Management, parents, non-teaching staff, students, and all education stakeholders for the impressive results. We are also hopeful of regaining our position as the academic giants of yesteryears,” Andaje noted, expressing gratitude for the collaborative effort.
Looking forward, the Principal emphasized the need for concerted efforts to achieve even better results in the future. “We want to make sure we lead in Bungoma County and the Western region at large as the powerhouse of academics,” he said.
In the same region, Friends School Kamusinga marked a significant academic comeback by posting a mean of 9.36 in the 2023 KCSE. The school, with 463 students, recorded an outstanding performance, scoring 30 straight As and 89 A- grades. The Principal, Paul Weloba, credited the success to hard work and determination among teachers, parents, leaders, support staff, and the community.
Weloba also reflected on the school’s performance in 2022, noting a negative deviation of 0.369. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. There is a future for Friends School Kamusinga. We are going to do even much better, and the 2024 class is prepared even more than last year’s,” he said.
The situation in Bungoma highlights the ongoing efforts of schools in the region to excel academically, despite the challenges faced by individual students.
Machakos, Kenya – Teachers of Kathekai Secondary School in Machakos County have successfully sponsored five academically gifted yet economically disadvantaged students, all of whom have now qualified for university after completing their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in 2023.
According to Kenya New Agency, The teachers, despite their limited salaries, managed to provide school fees and upkeep for these students. The school’s Principal, Mrs. Margaret Owaka, led this initiative, ensuring that the students could continue their education and excel in their exams, as confirmed by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on Monday.
The five students, now seeking further assistance to pursue their university education, include 18-year-old Eric Kathukya. Kathukya, the school’s top student with a B+ grade, aspires to become an engineer. His education was funded by his History and CRE teacher, Mr. Samson Wambua, for all four years. Kathukya, who hails from Masii in Mwala Sub-county, overcame significant hardships, having left home at a young age due to financial challenges.
Miriam Mumbua, another beneficiary, almost dropped out in form two but was supported by Principal Owaka, who took her in and covered her educational expenses. Mumbua, aiming for a nursing degree, faces financial barriers to university education.
Benjamin Musyoka, who scored a mean grade of B, is another standout student with a passion for agriculture. After facing family problems, Musyoka sought help from Principal Owaka, who provided accommodation and school support. Post-graduation, he has been working in the school to save for his future education.
Paul Muli and Martin Kioko are among the other beneficiaries, scoring B and B- respectively. In total, over 30 bright and needy students at the school receive educational support from the teachers and school staff.
Principal Owaka commends her teachers for their dedication to transforming the lives of these students. However, she acknowledges that their resources are limited and appeals to sponsors and donors for support, particularly for the five students awaiting university admission. Assistance can be channeled through her at Kathekai Secondary School.
Additionally, Owaka highlights the need for improved school facilities, including a modern laboratory, dining hall, and dormitories, to enhance the school’s performance, which has significantly improved since she joined in 2020.
Laikipia, Kenya – In a significant educational development, over 70 students from less privileged backgrounds in Laikipia County have been awarded scholarships under the Elimu program.
Laikipia County Commissioner (CC) Joseph Kanyiri, speaking after flagging off the scholarship recipients in Nanyuki, revealed that these students were chosen from a pool of over 900 applicants. The selection involved a thorough process, including shortlisting, interviews, and home visits by the Committee to ascertain the students’ need for sponsorship. Kanyiri emphasized the importance of additional stakeholders’ support, acknowledging that government efforts alone are not sufficient.
According to Kenya New Agency, the scholarship, a collaborative effort between the government and the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, aims to uplift academically bright students from underprivileged families. He described it as an affirmative action initiative to assist families unable to meet their children’s secondary education expenses.
The Elimu scholarship program benefited 41 female and 35 male students, all of whom achieved 280 marks or more in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations. David Ndung’u, the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation’s Coordinator for Laikipia County, urged other well-wishers to support additional bright and needy students who are expected to join form one next week. Ndung’u assured that the selection process was transparent and objective, focusing on the most deserving cases.
Among the beneficiaries is Ms. Samilah Hassan, who expressed her gratitude for the scholarship. Set to join Alliance Girls’ High School, Hassan scored 365 marks in the 2023 KCPE at St. Moses Primary School in Nanyuki Township. She aspires to become a neurosurgeon and sees the scholarship as a critical step toward achieving her dream.
Another beneficiary, Ferix Mundia, shared his optimism that the Elimu scholarship would enable him to complete his secondary education and pave the way for a brighter future.