Minutes:
MINUTES OF THE APS TRUST MEETING HELD ON 21 JANUARY 2009
AT ASAKO PRIMARY SCHOOL
Trustees present:
Lissa Campbell – LC
Mohamed Hassan – MoH
Tony Fitzjohn – TF
Mark Cheriyot - MC
Gill MarshallAndrewsGMA
Mike Harries - MH
IsmaiF.SololaIS Juma Ali Dido – JAD
Kulisa Shora Dirkicha – KD
Apologies: Anthony Gross - AFG
In attendance: Alphan Njeru – District Education Officer – AN;
Scholar Komora - Assistant to DEO – SN;
Abas Kunyo – AK
Gordon Bird – GB;
- The Minutes of the meeting on 12 November 2008 were tabled and passed.
- Staff Housing
The houses were formally handed over to the community during the ceremony prior to the meeting and the contract was signed by 2 APST trustees and, on behalf of the Community, by a member of the SMC and a member of the women’s committee. A copy will be given to the Community at the next meeting.
- School renovation
The MP has promised 1.5 million for the school. At a meeting at Madogo on 20 Jan, the CDF confirmed they have been allocated this money and tenders for the job were being advertised and the tender would be awarded on 2 Feb. At that point work could start. The original quote done by Kimanzi was for the school renovation only and he later agreed to rebuild the nursery, using old timber and iron sheeting from the school, at the same cost.
GMA confirmed that further help for Asako was conditional on the 1.5m being invested as promised.
(Post meeting note: GMA spoke with the MP in Parliament who asked that Kimanzi’s quote for 1.5 m to include the nursery rebuild should be passed on to him. Further to this JAD found that tenders for Asako would not now be advertised until Monday 2 Feb but CDF confirmed that the tenders would include the rebuilding of the nursery)
4. Funding
· Teachers. It was agreed that one way to help motivate the teachers would be to give them a bonus if a certain number of children obtained the grades to go to Secondary school. HT to complete a proposal form asking for all teachers to receive kes13,000 if 8 or more Standard 8 students obtain 250 points or over. MC suggested a further bonus for individual staff where over 50% of the pupils obtain good grades in their subject. HT to discuss this further with local trustees, AN and AK and if agreed, submit a proposal. A suggestion that the teachers be judged according to internal exams was rejected by MC as the exams and the results could be manipulated by the school.
· GMA reiterated that if the school needed specific books or resources to help Standard 8 pass their exams a proposal should be submitted soon and not left too late.
· Bursaries. It was agreed that a proposal be submitted to TAS for up to 8 bursaries for children to go to secondary school. There is only 1 girl in Standard 8 at the moment so it would be for her and the top 7 boys.
· JAD asked if TAS could support a boy who got 325 marks in 2008 exam but is too poor to go to secondary school. As he had left Asako the year before however it was felt that TAS could not assist him.
· School trip. LC asked whetherStandard 8 would benefit from a school trip to Madogo to help motivate them. Local trustees to discuss further and submit a proposal with costs, for this and inter-school sports competitions, if agreed.
· Teacher training. GMA said that the TAS trustees felt that the last training was not a success. She felt they needed a more practical targeted training. NJ said that this should not be in the holidays and could be on a Thursday to Sunday – losing 2 days of school would be worth it if all the teachers attended.
· Nursery teacher. Bukaohas asked for funds for a 2 year ESDE Certificate course. This is a pre-school teachers’ in-service training. A proposal will need to be presented.
5. Windpump
JAD asked MH if it could be converted to provide electricity. MH said that it was possible in the long term but for now it was felt that it would be better to use for the shambas. GB, MH and TF to discuss bringing in a drill rig to dig deeper.
- Income generation
GMA asked that if around 50% of the children do not go on to secondary school, what will they do? She suggested creating mini enterprises such as brick making or beehives, under the auspices of the school. Of the money generated, half could go to the individual and half to the school. She said TAS would be happy to receive proposals for start up costs. AK said that some teachers from the school had been trained in income-generating projects under the 4K Clubs scheme so could assist with this.
- Any other business
· LC signed a cheque for Kes54,000 for the next 3 months for the 2 pre-school teachers’ and caretaker’s salaries.
· JAD to chase Madogo and Balambala schools about paying the 2nd year fees for the current 3 bursaries.
· It was agreed to set up standing orders for the 2 new private teachers. They will receive a salary of 17,000/- per month, have a 3 month trial period and an annual review. LC to liaise with AFG over standing orders and contracts for the teachers.
- Actions
· LC to liaise with AFG over contracts for teachers
· HT to co-ordinate further discussion of teachers’ bonuses and submit funding proposal.
· Local trustees to discuss school trips and submit proposal.
· GB, MH and TF to discuss bringing in a drill rig to dig the well deeper.
· JAD to chase Madogo and Balambala schools about paying the 2nd year fees for the current 3 bursaries.
8. The meeting ended at 3pm. The next meeting was scheduled for 11.30am Friday 20 March 2009. This will be in Nairobi at Anthony Gross’s office on Elgeyo Marakwet Close. TAS will accept a proposal for transport and accommodation for local trustees to attend the meeting and 1000/-pp for food.
