The education sector in Kericho and Bomet Counties got a major boost after the James Finlay Kenya tea company offered four fully equipped day schools to pupils joining the Junior Secondary schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The company which is the leading grower, manufacturer, and supplier of Kenyan Tea constructed and furnished the two new schools to be based in Belgut, Kericho,to complement the other two in Konoin and Bomet County to bridge the shortage of facilities ahead of the transition.
Speaking during a prize-giving event at AHP Workshop Primary School, the James Finlay Kenya, Human Resource Director, Mr. Daniel Kirui urged the Ministry of Education to partner with them by providing teachers to the new schools to be commissioned for CBC junior secondary.
“At the moment those schools are not functional as we had to close the schools a while back owing to changes in business, but the schools are available and the structures are set and ready to receive the learners” added Mr. Kirui
The Teachers Service Commission Director, Kericho County, Mrs. Grace Mwangi, called on teachers to support the government by fully embracing the CBC as it is more skill-oriented and enables learners to discover and nurture their talents and abilities.
“Teachers should aim to acquire more knowledge and skills necessary for the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum for effectiveness in teaching, training, and equipping the students in this 21st Century,” she noted.
The TSC Director further urged teachers to acquaint themselves with Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools and skills, which are now becoming mandatory as the world is now in the Information age.
The Diversity and Inclusion Manager, who is also the Coordinator for schools, Ms. Janet Ruto, pointed out that Finlay Sponsored Schools, have been topping the list of well-performing schools in the region, recording good grades and marks, due to good working relations between the teachers, learners, and the sponsor.
“Chemasingi Secondary School in Bomet was the leading day school in the County, and the best boy scored 418 and best girl 414 marks all from AHP Workshop Primary School,” said, Ms. Ruto
Ms. Ruto attributed the good performance to social programs that support the development of the learners, including the welfare department that runs mentorship and education programs that have contributed to the development of the pupils’ lives academically and socially.
Since 2010, The Finlay Community Trust, has invested over Sh 220 million in infrastructure, to support the development and improve lives of students by constructing classrooms, libraries, and laboratories at schools, which are in line with the government’s Infrastructure Expansion Program.
By Kibe Mburu and Jennifer Ambula
