Education

Officials advocate for enhanced co-curricular activities, hygiene in Kamukunji schools

A section of Kamukunji Sub-county private schools directors who were part of the attendees. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Thursday, May 23, 2024

These meetings between education stakeholders and private school directors are held once every month to improve the quality of education in the Kamukunji Sub-county.

The Kamukunji Sub-county Education Office conducted its regular term meeting with private school directors in the Kamukunji Sub-county on Thursday to address issues affecting schools in the area and ways to enhance education quality.

The meeting, led by Kamukunji Sub-county Director of Education Luuley Abdullahi, was attended by most directors of private primary and secondary schools in the area.

Keep reading

Key officials present included Education Quality Assurance Officer Clement Osano, Teachers Service Commission Sub-county Director Phanice Cheshari and Deputy Director of Education for the Nairobi Region Nyagaka Hesbon.

Osano highlighted a unique challenge in the sub-county stating that many learners are not participating in co-curricular activities due to religious restrictions.

He urged directors to encourage participation in music and ball games as they were also part of the education system.

"Please make sure the learners participate in ball games and music, it is only in Kamukunji where learners do not participate in co-curricular activities," Osano said.

Hesbon Nyagaka, Deputy Director of Education Nairobi Region graced the event. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Osano explained that meetings are held with directors rather than headteachers because headteachers are frequently transferred between schools.

He also announced plans to introduce trainers to the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system. He noted that Kamukunji has the most learning institutions per square kilometre in the Nairobi region.

Director Luuley Abdullahi emphasised the importance of school registration, urging directors to ensure their schools are registered and to check if their registrations have expired.

Addressing a recent cholera outbreak, she stressed the need for strict hygiene in schools, warning that they will be closing down any school not following the hygienic requirement by the Ministry of Education.

"You must keep your schools clean, as you know there has been an outbreak of cholera in our sub-county. We will close any school that does not meet the hygiene standards that have been set," Luuley said.

Luuley Abdullahi, Kamukunj Sub-county Education Director addressing the Private school directors. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Luuley also instructed directors to conduct all events, such as Parents' Day, during the first or second term, as the Ministry of Education does not permit these activities during the third term.

She expressed concern over the rising cases of drug abuse among learners in Kamukunji, urging directors to take preventive measures.

Nyagaka, on the other hand, urged schools to support the activities of the sub-county education office. He highlighted the importance of learners' safety, specifically addressing the issue of schools using non-compliant vehicles for student transportation.

"Let's take good care of the safety of the learners. We should be using the right vehicles as approved by NTSA and the Ministry of Education," said Nyagaka.

Nyagaka also reminded directors of the shift away from common exams under the new CBC system, noting that competition is being minimised.

These meetings between education stakeholders and private school directors are held once every month to improve the quality of education in the Kamukunji Sub-county.