Minutes:
MINUTES OF THE APS TRUST MEETING HELD ON 28 NOVEMBER 2007
AT ASAKO PRIMARY SCHOOL
Present: Juma Ali Dido - JAD
Kulisa Shora Dirkicha - KSD
Ismail Fodha - IF
Anthony Gross - AFG
Mike Harries - MH
Lissa Campbell – LC
John
Apologies: Tony Fitzjohn
Gill Marshall Andrews
Kenneth Bonaya
Bakari Ali Komoro
1. Welcome Trustees were delighted to be welcomed by women from the Mumyo Yaya
people singing and dancing.
2. The Minutes of the meeting on 14th September 2007 were tabled and passed.
3. Matters Arising: Actions
* The inverter was found to be installed in the school but the problem was that the bulb had
worked for less than half an hour and then stopped. MH to discuss with TF. MH TF
* The 2 female teachers have set up bank accounts in Garissa and they gave their details to
LC so that their salaries could be paid direct into their accounts. AFG to set up bank account. AFG
* Staff absence. Only one of the government teachers, John, was present in the school.
The others had been absent all week. The Head Teacher had been present for only 4 days
since our previous meeting. Despite having bank accounts now, staff absence is still a problem.
It was felt that this was mainly because of the lack of a Head Teacher. AFG suggested that an
allowance be paid to a new Head Teacher by the Trust which would give him responsibility to
the Trust. IF to speak to DEO about the need for a new Head Teacher. AFG to write
letter to DEO highlighting our concerns and expressing the urgent need for a new head teacher. AFG IF
* Truancy. As there are around 100 households on the island the government is thinking of
opening an extension of the school with 2 classrooms on the island and 2 of the teachers
from Asako would teach there.
4. Bursaries
The results will come out in January. The top 3 students from the school will be awarded bursaries.
If all 3 are boys, the top girl and 2 top boys will be chosen. A letter of acceptance to be obtained
from the Head Teacher of the chosen schools with payment details. IF
5. Funding
* The first priority is Staff Accommodation. A quote from EHG was discussed. AFG, TF and LC to
talk further with them. JAD to have a quote from Garissa next week. MH to get quote from Peter
Hayes of Instarect. It was agreed each unit to have 2 bedrooms, a toilet, shower, kitchen and
sitting room and to be built out of mabati and stone. AFG LC MH JAD TF
* Second priority. Satellite phone. Details of the Thuraya SO 2510 were discussed. A solar charger
will be needed. The phone to be used for text only. LC
* Third priority. Metal doors and windows for the classrooms. JAD had partial quote for this and
is to get quote for transport and installation. JAD
* Fourth priority. Teachers. It was agreed to fund the 4 current teachers for a further year and John
was asked to do a performance review by January. A request was also put in for 2 more
teachers and a school caretaker to do the cooking and guard the premises. It was felt that if
funds were not available for all 3 positions than the priority was for 1 teacher and 1 caretaker. John
* Fifth priority. Fence around the school. It was agreed it would be better to fence a smaller area.
6 strand barbed wire posted fence with live fence planted by the community. Quote is needed. JAD
* Expenses for next meeting in Garissa for Asako trustees. It was felt that as the trustees
wanted to visit Madogo school near Garissa in January the next meeting should be held in Garissa.
This would enable trustees to interview new teachers as well.
6. Cookers
The new cookers are in place but are not being used until the kitchen is finished. The CDF to
give decision next week as to whether they will fund the roof. Otherwise Mark Cheruiyot later said he
would assist with 6-8 mabatis.
7. Finances
Salaries of TAS funded teachers were discussed. The primary school teachers said that their
salaries had been increased after 9 months and not the 6 months agreed upon. It was therefore
agreed to pay the extra 3 months increment with their January salary. They also asked that their
salaries be raised in line with the government salaries which they said were 18,000ksh. AFG to
look into starting salaries for P1 and P2 teachers. AFG
8. Communications
As there seems no chance of mobile network in the area for some time, it was felt that a satellite
phone was the way forward.
9. Windpump
Due to a possibility of the windpump being moved to the borehole, the pipes have not been laid yet. If
this does not happen then Mwaura will return soon to lay the pipes.
10. Trustees from Asako asked if at the next meeting in Asako parents and members of the community
be invited and it be made clear that none of the trustees are paid for their work as this is an issue in
the community. JAD showed receipts for all his expenses for work for the Trust. It was felt that parents
and the community should contribute towards his expenses.
11. The meeting ended at 3.45 p.m. and the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday 17 January 2007
at Garissa.
