Nazareth Prim Sch Mukuru Headteacher
THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF ICPD25
My name is Mrs. Eunice Agar Owuoth, the Headteacher of Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School, a public institution [Under the care of Marianists}. The school is located in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums in Embakasi Sub -County, Nairobi County. It is a mixed day school with a population of 1922 learners.
I feel greatly honoured to be part of this auspicious event. I wish to highlight areas where we have benefited as a school.
RETENTION
Through the disbursement of FPE funds from the Ministry of Education, we have been able to provide the basic needs for learners. These include instructional materials such as textbooks, exercise books, stationery among others. The environment is well taken care of, there is subsidy for the support staff and general upkeep of the school. The availability of these enhance retention since there is no time the learner is away from school for payment or involved in manual work which should have been provided by the support staff.
Learners with Special Needs are also taken care of at all levels.
100% TRANSITION
This has been achieved in our school. The CS Education, Professor Magoha himself took up the initiative of going door to door in Mukuru Kwa Njenga in the company of the Education officers and the local administrators at the Sub – County level. Among the learners he found had not gone to school was a boy from our school. He was admitted to Ofafa Jericho High School. Through the Elimu Foundation, Equity Wings to Fly and the county Government, our learners benefitted from the bursaries.
There are no learners who are forced to repeat any classes and therefore learners are at the right age and with their agemates. This has enabled learners to develop high self- esteem. Indiscipline cases have also reduced because learners feel accepted and appreciated.
SUPPORT DURING COVID-19
The school was identified for the construction of a bore hole to provide adequate supply of water to the school and the neighbouring community. Frequent washing of hands and cleaning of surfaces were made possible.
We received several handwashing facilities from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health (Mukuru Health Centre) UNICEF-Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) among other stakeholders. We received boxes of bar soap from the MOE. Before learning resumed in October 2020, the MOE provided booklets on guidelines on preparedness of physical facilities and psychosocial support.
Through the Ministry of Health, the school now hosts a Level Three Hospital which was officially opened by the Head of State, H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2021. It is a great relief to the school on matters of health of the school community.
CBC IMPLEMENTATION
This has received a lot of support from the MOE. Despite the high learner population, the book ratio especially Grades 4 and 5 are at 1:1. Several trainings have been organised by the MOE, KICD and TSC.A good number of teachers in the school are CBC compliant.
SANITARY SUPPORT
The girl child now attends school throughout the month / year without any hindrance since the Ministry provides them with sanitary towels. This is a basic /naturally mandatory requirement which is a challenge to many families in the informal settlement. Before KCPE exams of 2019, all the girls who were candidates received three (3) panties each from the MOE. We appeal for support for the boy child as well - Boxers can be of great help!
CAPACITY BUILDING
The Education stakeholders have conducted several trainings for teachers, Headteachers and Board of Management members. These have created harmony in the school hence positive deviation in the national examination, physical improvement and psychosocial support. The department of Guidance and Counselling has been greatly enhanced.
THE CHURCH SUPPORT
The Arch-Diocese of Nairobi and The Marianists have reinforced matters of Faith formation through Monthly Mass at school level, seminars for administrators, Board of Management and staff (teaching and non-teaching) retreats.
We invite more support from all stakeholders and well- wishers to benefit more. We are committed to ensuring maximum utilization of any available resources to benefit learners and give holistic education for life as they grow in Age, Wisdom and Grace.
Thank you and God bless you. Long live Kenya and her citizens.
