A beacon of hope

There is no fence or gate or even a sign post indicating that this is a school.  In the compound, hundreds of people are gathered: parents, school going children, community representatives and government officials.  They await the start of the Zone’s Education Day.

This is the scene that met members of staff from the University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences on Friday 28th January 2011 who had the privilege of attending the Education Day at Mosiro Zone in Narok.

The guests from Strathmore were told that it is tradition to host the annual event at the most improved school in the Zone.  This was a challenge to the Education Officers and the head teachers of 21 public schools and 2 private schools who had to travel long distances to get to the venue.

On the wall of the Headmaster’s office is a hand written poster which reads:

Agents of Change in Society
Go to the people, live among them, start with what they have, [be] the best leader.  When their task is accomplished their work done, the people will remark: ‘We have done it ourselves’!

This is Mr Dickson Kantet’s office.  Mr Kantet is a graduate of the Post Experience Diploma in Educational Management (PEDEM) that Strathmore University offers.  He works at Enoomparabli Primary School which is located in a semi-arid area, 24 kilometres off the Narok-Mai Mahiu Road.

His school was hosting the Education Day because the school’s performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations had improved from a mean score of 171.8 in 2006 to a mean score of 295.5 in 2010.  The top student scored 369 points and has been admitted to Kabarnet Boys High School

This has been achieved despite the various challenges faced by the school community.  These include having very few qualified teachers, cultural practices such as early marriage and FGM that prevent girls from going to school, roaming elephants which scare away students on their way to school and which destroy the few trees in the school compound.

Using the knowledge and management skills acquired during his course at Strathmore, Mr Kantet has found innovative ways of dealing with the challenges in his school.  He has managed to dialogue with parents through seminars and workshops to explain the importance of education for their children.

Mr Kantet reminisces that initially, only 121 students were enrolled in the school from Standard 1 to 8.  After holding the forums with parents, a total of 324 students were enrolled in the school in 2009.

He also opened five Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers where young children can get basic education before joining primary school,and found individuals who were willing to help him run them.  These students then enroll for Standard One at Enoomparabli.

To deal with the challenge of the distance children have to walk to school and to reduce their encounter with elephants, Mr Kantet organizes for a few students to board in classrooms at the school.  This also enables them to get enough time to study.  His efforts have been noted by the Education Office in the zone which recently posted three more TSC teachers to the school.

Ms Rose Kudate a current PEDEM student and the Quality Assurance Officer had this to say: “One thing I feel proud about Strathmore is that at least I have got some pillar to lean on, and that is Kantet.  I have the vision to move ahead because I know there is somebody who is going to assist me.”

She continued: “Because if he has made it, I believe I can also make it.  And since he has made it for the school he has also made it for the Zone.  He has made things that we thought were going to be impossible, possible.”

Despite the challenges that Enoomparabli Primary School teachers and students face they have managed to inspire the community and give. With dedication and effort, a little seed of potential can realise great fruits!

Another hand written poster hangs on the wall of Mr Kantet’s office.  It reads:
“There is no greater calling than serving humanity.  This is what gives you peace of mind.”

By Mercy Atieno and Winnie Musyoka, Education Department, School of Humanities and Social Sciences