Kimuka Girls School Meeting -

Kimuka Girls School Meeting

May 21, 2018

We attended the parents’ meeting for the Form 2 class at Kimuka Girls School. Approximately 70 parents attended.
We began by commending the parents who took time off to attend the meeting. The parent teacher interactions are always very helpful both for the parent and the student. It is a good forum for the parents to listen to what the teachers have to say regarding the performance of their children, point out problem areas, and agree on what measures need to be taken to help the children where help is needed. Unfortunately, many parents don’t attend these forums; they don’t see the importance of the interaction. Frankly, some parents do not understand the education system as they didn’t receive an education, themselves.

My message to the parents was on the need for them to make it a habit of visiting the school, so they can get to know how their students are fairing; this both encourages the students and keeps them in check. The need for open communication between the parents and their children, the need for the parents to set realistic goals for their kids and look out for warning signs in their behavior, as well as the need for the parents to affirm their children by giving praise for good deeds- will all significantly enhance the chance of the student’s success. The parents also need to realize that girls at this age are going through a phase of self-awareness. They are trying to discover who they are, and they need a gentle hand towards that effort. Otherwise, we stand a chance of losing them to peer pressure and of their being ensnared by harmful vices.
Kimuka is a moderately remote school; the parents are mostly struggling farmers who are trying their best to see their children through school. When the school principal read out the tuition fees arrears, one could see the hopelessness in the parents’ faces. The drought that hit Kenya affected many farmers, and now with the current rains, they are looking at selling their cattle in an effort to clear the tuition arrears.
It was interesting to see mothers with small babies strapped on their backs, wearing gum boots because of the mud and rain. Some said they had to cross swollen rivers to get to school, and I reminded the girls not to take the sacrifice their parents are making towards their education and well-being for granted.
The school principal was grateful to Valvisions Foundation for the support we are giving them. Those in authority confirmed that they have seen a lot of positive change with the Choice Club members. The principal asked that we continue supporting their students.
We conducted a Choice Club meeting at Shiners school this past Friday on May 8th’