Kitui county secondary school principals have asked the government to direct adequate funds to schools for infrastructural development to enhance effective teaching and learning.
Speaking during their Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual Conference held at Reef Hotel in Mombasa County recently, led by their KESSHA chairperson, Jacqueline Kusunza, the principals said that they will embrace Competency Based Curriculum, pathways in senior secondary school education in the county.
They, however revealed that their schools in the region are currently faced with the challenge of delayed disbursement of capitation grants, further saying that the situation has actually hindered them to operate effectively.
The principals, also disclosed that the learning environment in schools in the region is very poor due to lack of physical learning facilities.
“All education stakeholders, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the county should team up by ensuring that they provide the necessary learning facilities to schools to enhance education levels”, the principals suggested.
They further complained that their schools still have some old buildings which urgently need rehabilitation to enable students and teachers stay in conducive environment.
However, the principals disclosed that they will continue to be loyal to the government of the day, hence to offer quality education to the students in schools in the county.
Kitui County KESSHA, chairperson, Jacqueline Kusunza revealed that despite several challenges which schools in the county are facing the schools posted impressive performance in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education ( KCSE).
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However, she lamented that many school development projects in the county have not been implemented fully due to lack of funds.
“Availability of funds in schools will enhance effective operations”, Kusunza disclosed.
During their KESSHA Annual Conference held at Reef Hotel in Mombasa County recently, the principals resolved to be dedicated to their work in order to post better results in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
She added that the KESSHA Annual Conference for the principals was meant to share views, ideas and experiences respectively.
Kitui KEPSHA chair also disclosed that 400 principals attended their KESSHA Annual Conference in Mombasa County, with this year’s THEME: “Embracing CBC Pathways in senior School Education”.
She, revealed that CBC is a crucial step towards shaping the future of students in this evolving educational landscape.
The Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) offers a transformative approach to education, one that emphasizes to not only academic excellence, but also holistic development of the learners.
The chairperson also stated that it is essential therefore that we embrace the diverse pathways, the CBC provides in senior secondary education.
These pathways cater to the varied talents and interests of students, by ensuring that each student has the opportunity to thrive, whether they choose to pursue academic, technical or vocational skills.
“CBC transformation will be embraced through knowledge on how these pathways will empower learners to not only to gain knowledge but also acquire the practical’s skills necessary to succeed in the dynamic World ahead,” Kusunza explained.
She stated that their commitment as principals is to work in collaboration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure full implementation of CBC in senior secondary school education.
The KESSHA chairperson called on the principals and other education stakeholders to be committed to fostering an environment that encourages growth, embraces diversity, and achieve their full potential.
“Let us build a brighter future for our students through the successful implementation of CBC pathways”, Kusunza told principals and other education stakeholders in the county.
Addressing the same gathering during the official opening ceremony, the chief Guest, new Coast regional Teachers Service Commission ( TSC ) director, Fredrick Nga’ng’a, urged principals in the county to be dedicated to their work in a bid to enhance education levels in the region.
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He further advised principals in the county to work extra hard by ensuring that they cover the Syllabus in good time.
The director asked the principals to be transparent and accountable in their undertakings to enable them to operate effectively.
Ng’ang’a also urged principals to ensure that teachers prepare scheme of work and lesson plans for efficient and effective teaching.
At the same time, the director asked principals to adhere to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Code of Regulations and Rules for smooth operations.
He further emphasized the importance of punctuality for teachers in their respective schools, saying that the trend will enhance effectiveness in teachers’ work.
Speaking during the official closing ceremony, of Kitui county KESSHA, the chief guest, Pauline Mwania, the county Education Ministry Chief Officer, who represented the Kitui county Governor, Dr. Julius Malombe, revealed that the county government of Kitui has disbursed shillings 928,464,985 to secondary school, College and University students since 2013 to date as bursaries and scholarships to help them pursue education in the county.
She further disclosed that a total of 130,964 students have so far benefited from this bursary money in the county.
The Chief Officer, however revealed that the county government has so far employed 1,688 ECDE teachers and placed them under permanent and pensionable terms of service.
Mwania also disclosed that the teachers have already been trained on CBC skills to enable them to operate efficiently and effectively.
“Some 1,293 new classrooms have been built in the county”, she stated.
She said that the county government is currently in the process of constructing a modern Airstrip and Aviation, stadium and fields respectively.
By Tsozungu Kombe.
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