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Matters arising the rest of the agenda was then taken over by a discussion about the very poor performance of the school, including in KCPE exams:
A letter from DEO to the Headteacher of Asako January 2011 was shown to the board regarding teachers’ absence ‘Warning and insubordination’ because teachers had left 9 days earlier in the last term 2010 and arrived late first term 2011.
MH - most expensive project TAS has ever done was the accommodation for teachers yet teachers are absent and not performing well. 9 days salary deducted from teachers for leaving school early. Request that TAS also reduces salaries by 9 days.
HT were asked why they had left school early. He said there was heavy rain and lack of food. If we closed the school early it would save teachers a walk 60km.
Teacher representative confirmed teachers had left early because of rains because of lack of vehicles and food.
TF asked if this was a legitimate reason for leaving school early and whether or not the landrover taxis from Garissa couldn’t get through to Asako during the rains.
JAD had called a meeting with CMC, invited EO and former teacher. School used to be high performing in the 1990s – strong pass rates in KCPE. Since then TAS has invested in the school and yet results are worse.
Former teacher and EO elsewhere, Paul Ngamu, was asked to comment on why the results are worse now. PN observes that there is no good foundation from nursery to primary. Standards of children in each class were low because they were not prepared well. This was because the school was closed for 5 years. The community is not stable. Spoke with pre-school teacher – they are not using the syllabus. But books were bought. We made sure children had covered the syllabus before they moved to the next class. Teachers prepared schemes of work over the holiday. Each teacher would have lesson plan. Pupils and teachers honoured the school daily regime. We were helping the teachers and the students. There was a vision for the school.
MH a lot comes down to the HT – motivating, disciplining, encouraging the students.
Teachers would come for3 months and not leave the school to pick up salary– using food from the local community.
Yesterday’s meeting was v important – came up with strategies.
Two main problems identified were syllabus coverage and lack of commitment from teachers and parents and children.
Attendance book for teachers’ attendance that will be transparent to all.
MH – how do you motivate teachers to attend well?
Rigorous monitoring needed.
TF told the board about the Boka school where there were no smart houses or offices and where the HT was working hard to make the kids study well and learn. He asked for books for the children. There were lots of girls at the school.
Pre-school – TAS hasn’t had a request for foundation school materials
KCPE results: HT produced a report on the performance – circulated to the board.
There were 25 students entered for the exam (22 boys, 3 girls) of whom 5 boys gained the pass rate of 250. The average score was 193, compared with 226 in 2009. The poor performance in academics was attributed to poor backgrounds of the children, poor syllabus coverage, lack of self-study at school. And poor cooperation by teaching staff.
KH commented that the need for syllabus material had never been mentioned previously at meetings. We had provided books before which should have covered syllabus areas
TF – not sure what more if anything TAS can do when
Perhaps teachers should visit Boka to get inspiration and motivation. Perhaps TAS has spoiled Asako with expensive housing.
PN – during his time – SMC members problem with parents who are illiterate.
Need fresh SMC elections. Chairman is working very hard. Let’s ensure we get people who can read and write so they can help the school well. Get SDP operating.
TF suggested PN should stay on and help Asako get its house in order before TAS can start contributing again. Perhaps bank account in Garissa should be closed down. Feels like we’re throwing good money after bad.
3-6 months - need to get act together
What does that mean? How will we identify how
- staff meetings
- parents meetings
- syllabus coverage
- preparation before classes – lesson plans, syllabus plans in school holidays
- go to Boka – learn some good practice
MH/TF – want to come back in 3 months and discover some changes and results based on the strategies from the meeting. Want the ex teacher/ EO Paul Ngumu to spend some time assisting the school with this.
Juma agreed that this was the right course of action and that the community meeting as per last night would support this.
MH – asked the councilor to assist with this.
Cllr Imani Fumax said with confidence that the community knows the problem and will work to fix it.
KH – asked the teacher what the issue is with teacher syllabus and class
Teacher said other problems affecting the performance and failure – discipline,
Problms caused by parents and children – indiscipline. Parents need to take responsibility for discipline.
Juma has always brought the AEO in to see how Asako is doing –
Lack of leadership…. 3 different HTs now. Govt rules – takes 2 years to transfer a HT
Juma still things HT is not good enough. 3m is not going to make the difference.
PN:What’s most important is to create a conducive learning environment –we want to experience a buzz when we visit. |
