Poor parents with children in mixed secondary Day secondary schools in Kisii County have been implored to consult school Principals and pay fees in kind to foster their children’s education.
Endereti Senior Mixed Secondary School Principal, David Mayaka, said parents can supply firewood, vegetables, maize and bananas to schools and be converted into fees, adding that the government pays fees and parents only pay for the lunch programme.
Some parents noted that the principal keeps their children at home because of the lack of fees, saying it affects their education and performance in local and national examinations.
“We also encourage parents to come to school and work on the school’s farm work, and we convert their labour into fees,” Mayaka told Education News.
The principal, whose school is along the Kisii—Transmara border, urged parents not to allow children to work in sugar and maise farms, adding that it would disorient their education.
The school Head noted that plans are underway to start a boarding section for form four candidates, giving them ample time to prepare for their termly and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
Mayaka noted that the school has secured 30 double-deck beds from area Lawmaker Obadiah Barongo’s NG—CDF kitty and expects more.
The school noted that the principal has embraced the lunch program for students, noting that it helps students save time to learn.
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“Our students do not waste time going home for lunch. Parents pay Ksh. 4000 for the program or give their children beans and maize,” Mayaka told the Education News.
He challenged parents to monitor the activities of their children at home to ensure they do not abuse drugs and illicit brew, which will ruin their lives.
The principal asserted that the school, sponsored by the Church of God (COG), has implemented measures to ensure students do not abuse drugs, noting that it has helped enhance their education.
“We involve teachers, motivational Speakers to guide and counsel the students to curb drug abuse and teenage pregnancies”, Mayaka noted.
The principal noted that the school has embraced Competency-Based Education (CBE) and is prepared to take at least one subject from each of the three pathways.
He said the school is set to receive Grade 10 students, has an equipped laboratory and classrooms, and urges the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to post more teachers.
“The school has 274 students and 13 teachers, and we need more to cope with the increasing enrollment,” said Mayaka.
The Day School noted that the principal has 274 students, 90 of whom are set to write the KCSE.
The principal pointed out that absenteeism affects the school, noting that the management is involving chiefs to mobilise students to ensure they report to school.
The principal said the school realised a mean of 6.22 last year, up from 6.03 the previous year. They target a mean of 7.00 this year, adding that they report at 6:4am for preps, leave at 6:30pm, and are disciplined.
He stated that the school reached the county during the music festival last year for the first time, sub county in sub-county football, while one student reached the county in athletics.
By our reporter
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