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Minutes from Trustees Meeting
06/02/2014

Present:



Minutes:

Topic

TAS meeting Ikathima Primary School

Agenda
  1. Introductions
  2. School status report
  3. Plans
  4. New proposals to TAS
  5. AOB

Date & Time

Thursday 6 February 2014 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Venue

Ikathima Primary School (IPS)

Present

 

Name

Designation

1.

David Munyoki Mwasya

Chairman School Management Committee (SMC)- Parent

2.

Joshua M Kairu

Head teacher IPS (Meeting’s Chair)

3.

Daniel K Karenga

Deputy Head teacher IPS

4.

Rosalyn Muntha

Teacher (TAS support)

5.

Agnes Syengo

Teacher (TAS support)

6.

Stephen N Kameti

TAS/KWS coordinator

7.

Lut Laenen

TAS secretary/Trustee for IPS (Meeting’s Secretary)

Apologies

James Maluki

TAS Chairman

Summary of discussed points and agreements / action points

1.

Introductions

1.1

The meeting started with a word of prayer by Mr Karenga

1.2

·    All members introduced themselves.

·   The members acknowledged the support to the school by Ms Njoki, who, unfortunately passed away late 2013.

·   Mrs Lut Laenen Fox was formally adopted as the new Secretary for IPS. She brings along more than 6 years experience with primary schools in Kenya’s Arid and Semi Arid areas through a collaborative programme between the Ministry of Education and  the Flemish Development Cooperation (VVOB of Belgium), called “Healthy Learning”.

2.

School Status Report

2.1

·       Enrollment for the new academic year (January- December 2014) is 349 pupils, which is an increase of 73 compared with 2013. More students are expected as it is only the second week of Term I.

Breakdown:

·            Early Childhood classes (2): 27 boys and 36 girls

·            Primary Classes (8: Grade 1 - 8):137 boys and 169 girls

·            Total: 144 boys (42%) and 205 girls (59%)= 349

·       The gender imbalance is, according to the teachers, a reflection of the catchment

population where most families have more girls than boys.

It was also noted that from the 27 pupils who are (currently) boarding, most are girls (especially from classes 6 to 8), as they are more at risk when walking long distances (up to 13km one way) to come to school. Last term, the school had 40 boarders and it is expected that this number will be exceeded this year.

2.2

Academic performance overview since 2010: Kenya Certificate of Primary Education

Academic year

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Mean grade KCPE (/500)

197

211

242

202

exam in Nov

Number of candidates

17

24

17

30*

15

* 22/30 candidates were girls. Lowest score was 93 for a girl with learning difficulties

29 pupils received offers for a place in secondary schools

Best subjects: Kiswahili, Science, Mathematics

Lowest performance in English, especially “composition”

Action

  !
  1. IPS to write to external markers to discuss remedial action for poor performance in English  - Joshua in Term I -
  2. School to start Newsletter giving children chance to write stories, make drawings – Daniel in Term I (see also 4…)

2.3

Third party support: Status and impact

IPS has become a model school in the area, in particular for the KWS PASMAP -Partnership for Accountability for Schools Management Around the Parks.

2.3.1

TAS support:

Initiative

Status

Impact /comments

3 classrooms + desks + solar lighting

Completed, in good condition and in use

More conducive learning environment – improved academic performance.

Compound fence (1.2km barbed wire  with one entrance gate)

Completed, in good condition and in use

Overall security improved.

Good barrier against human intruders and animals (eg Planted trees and crops not interfered with)

Solar lights for admin block and staff room

Completed, in good condition and in use

Admin tasks and lessons preparations improved

3 “banda’s” with solar power for various gatherings

Completed, in good condition and in use

Procurement of Chairs, tables, DVDplayer and Flatscreen tv in process

Used for meetings, recreation…

2 dormitories & adjacent ablution blocks (for 2x40 pupils), 30 bunk beds, solar lights

Completed, in good condition and in use

More girls are enrolled as boarders. No unwanted pregnancies (average 6/year) since boarding facilities are in use

Salaries for four teachers

IPS requests to renew current contracts

Improved KCPE results

See also 3. Planning 2014

Improved cooking stove

Installed, but not yet in use

Not yet in use because of low numbers of boarders (27).

Teachers accommodation

In progress.

Site cleared, contractor will start 3rd week of February – aims to finish in 2 months

Action

  !

1.      Check with Gill whether funds for DVD player and screen have been transferred to Kenya (64000Ksh) – Lut by 10.2.14

2.      Follow up on orders for tables, chairs – Stephen, asap

3.      Initiate order for TV screen and dvd player – Stephen (when funds are available)

4.      School to set up small committee with teachers, parent, head teacher and to agree on funds for maintenance of staff accommodation (e.g. monthly contribution), selection of occupants etc. – Joshua by end Term I

2.3.2

Support from other organisations:

Initiative

Status

Impact /comments

German Agro Action and other partners water tanks for roof harvesting 

Installed and in use

Limited rainfall last term (1 tank filled in December)

World Vision : 10 roofing sheets

Installed – classroom not finished

Head teacher has requested WVI to support completing the classroom building

KWS: roof for kitchen

Installed

Kitchen is used to prepare meals for the boarders

Action

  !

1.   IPS community to step up efforts to attract support from other sources in view of reduction of TAS input ( expected to finish in 2 to3 years)[LL1] 

  1. IPS to develop mid-term to long-term plans rather than one-year plans

2.3.3

Support from parents

Initiative

Status

Impact /comments

Classrooms (2)

Not finished

World Vision approached (see 2.3.2)

Kitchen

Some final touches required - In use

Windows and plastering will be done through contributions from parents

Prize giving / educational day 2013

Successful

Recognizing contributions, performance etc. Motivating staff, parents and children.

Salary for one teacher

Contributed to retention and increased enrolment, better academic performances

Will continue

2.3.4

IPS has become a model school in the area, in particular for the KWS PASMAP

Action

  !

IPS to become member of the Kenya Wildlife Clubs before next visit of KWS – Stephen to assist with application.

3.

Plans 2014

3.1

Initiative

Funding / Input from

Comments

Action !

Toilets (2 pit latrines) for teachers

Parents

To be finished by May 2014

David

Water for construction of teachers accommodation

Parents

During Term I

David

Clearing sections of school compound and planting crops

Parents

To start a school meals programme for all children

David

Paying exam fees

Parents

For year 8

David & Joshua

Attend sports competitions (organised by Ministry of Education)

School & Parents

IPS participates in sports events: athletics, football, netball, volleyball

Joshua & David

School benchmarking visit to Mugosi in Term I

Parents

For some pupils, teachers and parents

Joshua

Educational tour to Rift Valley (2/3 days)

TAS

For about 50 pupils, some teachers and parents.

1.Joshua to propose to TAS – by 10.2

2.Lut to check with Elsamere Study Centre for free training

Salaries for 5 teachers (1 ECD, 4 Primary)

Parents (1 for upper class)

TAS (3, of which 2 for upper classes primary, 1 ECD)

- Completion report 2013 and proposal to TAS for continued payment of salaries for 4 teachers received.

- School’s request is in view of crop failure in previous planting season (insufficient rains). Parents do not have cash to support more than one teacher.

- Head teacher has sent written request to TSC Kusyo staffing officer for 4 teachers

- County is paying for one ECD teacher

1.    Lut to send

proposal for 4 teachers’ pay to Gill – by 13.2.14

2.    IPS to look

into income-generating activities (see also 3.2)

3.    Joshua to

follow up with TSC and County on deployment of more teachers (TAS will discontinue paying for salaries)

Planting Mukau (hardwood) and other trees or shrubs in school compound

Parents, school, partners

Tree planting for shade, firewood, building material (school has arranged to pay one parent to supply firewood, but it would be better if school could harvest from its own compound)

Promote protection of the environment

1.    Joshua and

Stephen to submit letter to Forestry Department to obtain seedlings

2.    Lut to contact

agroforestry connections for seeds.

3.2

The members discussed options for the school to start income generating activities which also create learning opportunities.

Some viable options:

1.     Chicken rearing (local breed)

2.     Tree nursery

Action !
  1. Joshua to discuss chicken rearing with teachers and parents (can parents contribute some chicks to start?
  2. Stephen and Lut to enquire about free seedlings, seeds  (see also 3.1)

4.

AOB

4.1

Broken water pump: Follow up with local MP about progress of electrification of the area and possible electric pump (Not a possible TAS contribution) - Stephen

4.2

Support for morning and evening tuition by TAS?

TAS is reducing support for salaries. Also, teachers need to do their best to organise their lessons so extra tuition is not necessary.

4.3

Info on Ikathima on the TAS website to be updated: Joshua to send update to Lut

4.4

The head teacher received two publications on “Healthy Learning”: a teacher’s guide and a booklet with focus on agroforestry

Note (LL): no date for the next meeting was set.