As International Day of Teachers was celebrated worldwide, over 160 teachers drawn from various public Primary and Secondary Schools in Mwala and Machakos were awarded certificates for exemplary performance.
The celebratory event occurred at the Kenya Connect Library Learning Centre in Wamunyu of Mwala Sub County, where they appreciated and honored the efforts that teachers have made to improve literacy levels in rural schools.
Kenya Connect awarded the teachers who have bridged the digital gap, promoted learning through technology, built learners skills in leadership which have reduced teenage pregnancies, and supported innovations that have boosted economic growth.
Speaking during the celebrations in Wamunyu, Mwala Sub County Director of Education Mr. Bernard Abuga said that learning is gradually embracing technology to bridge the digital gap that has existed among learners.
Abuga appreciated Kenya Connect for assisting teachers and empowering them in ICT skills because teachers can now teach through online classes successfully. He also hailed the teachers for the skills they have impacted on the students who have shown great improvement through literacy.
The Sub County Education boss added that the teachers have embraced the Teachers Professional Development course (TPD), which provides opportunities for teachers to explore new roles.
Abuga added that the TPD also helps develop new instructional and leadership techniques which helps them deliver high-quality professional service and meets the expectation of the education sector.
“Today we have come to celebrate the sweat of the teachers and the fruits they have borne among their students which has also helped improve their academic standards and profession,” said Abuga.
Kenya Connect Executive Director Ms. Sharon Runge who works in the United States to help raise funds and partnerships to spread the work of Kenya Connect said teachers are the cornerstone of their program.
Runge who is also a volunteer and donor for Kenya Connect noted that they work with 63 partner schools in Mwala Sub County and the teachers have welcomed their staff in their classrooms to help bridge the digital divide and reduce teen pregnancies and Gender-based violence.
She hailed the teachers for going beyond the call of duty to help learners in development and leadership courses.
“We are celebrating the teachers for the good job they are doing and for taking the little part of what they do to the next level and transforming the lives of the students and the community in Machakos,” added Runge.
A Teacher at Mbuini Primary Catherine Munyoki who was awarded the best teacher in the literacy programme category said her tactic of reading stories with the learners, discussing, and demonstrating together is what earned her the award.
Munyoki pointed out that in the reading process, learners retell the story to gauge their level of understanding, which has promoted their creativity, improved their communication and enhanced a reading culture.
Machakos being listed in the past among counties with high cases of teen pregnancies, some teachers such as Purity Kioko, the Head Teacher of Wakaela Primary put all their efforts into dealing with the problem.
Kioko said they reported over nine cases of teenage pregnancy in her school and received a lot of ridicule from their peers so Kenya Connect engaged the teachers to delve deeper into the issue.
Kioko who was awarded for instilling discipline and morality among students said they have been educating learners together with their parents on sexual education and the in-depth talk sessions have borne fruits and the cases of teen pregnancy have scaled down.
“We have managed to scale down the numbers of teenage pregnancies in my school by involving the parents; we got them in the guidance and counseling of both boys and girls who were taught about self-awareness and to report issues when harassed,” added Kioko.
By Anne Kangero
