Nyang’ori High School in Hamisi Sub-County, Vihiga County, hosted a dynamic Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Prize-Giving Day, marked by spirited discussions and a shared vision for academic excellence.
Presided over by Prof. Henry Embeywa, a distinguished scholar of Science and Mathematics from Machakos University, the event underscored the school’s commitment to reclaiming its legacy as a national academic powerhouse.
Prof. Embeywa’s Vision for Growth
In his keynote address, Prof. Embeywa lauded Nyang’ori’s rich history and urged stakeholders to elevate the institution to compete with elite schools like Kakamega School and Kamusinga. He outlined a three-pronged strategy:
1. Raise Standards: Departments must set ambitious, named grade targets and harmonise goals upward.
2. Ascend to League A: Benchmark with top-tier schools, share best practices, and continuously review targets.
3. Total Commitment: Prioritise consistent class attendance, teacher motivation, and parental role modeling.
“Quality education demands innovation,” he stressed, urging parents to guide rather than pamper students, while learners were advised to cultivate discipline, focus, and career-aligned study habits.
BOM Chair Rev. Patrick Oyondi’s Gratitude and Challenges
CPA, Rev. Patrick Oyondi, Board of Management (BOM) Chairman, celebrated the school’s progress under new leadership, acknowledging former Principal Mr Ibrahim Kugo and praising the current Principal Mr Peter Lunani for revitalising the school’s ethos.
He highlighted strides in infrastructure, including a 28-classroom block and facility upgrades, while addressing persistent challenges:
– Fee Defaults: Urged parents to prioritise timely payments.
– Discipline: Emphasised collaboration between school and families to instil morals.
– Safety: Ensured a conducive learning environment through ongoing improvements.
Principal Lunani’s Academic and Infrastructure Milestones
Mr Lunani reported a 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean score of 7.2586, attributing the rise to enhanced discipline, rigorous internal exams, and benchmarking with giants like Kapsabet Boys.
He outlined ambitious plans:
– Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Transition: Preparing to become a Triple Pathway Hybrid School.
– Infrastructure Upgrades: Expanding dining halls, ablution blocks, and installing CCTV.
– Alumni Engagement: Proposed an “Alumni Day” to harness mentorship and support.
He also appealed for fee compliance and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) intervention to address teacher shortages.
“Today marks an important day in our schools’ history. A day of celebrations and thanks giving, a day of opening new chapters towards more opportunities of triumph though with challenges, said Mr Lunani.
The principal thanked the PAG church for the unrivalled spiritual support to students through a fulltime chaplain, the BOM, PA and all the stakeholders for the immense support.
He also acknowledged the parents and guardians for supporting school programmes through fees payments.
According to Mr Lunani, a reasonable number of parents were poor in fees payments and asked them to commit themselves by even paying the little they get instead of waiting for lumpsum amounts.
He used the opportunity what he has been able to do since landing at the school among them: Installation CCTV(phase 2 to start soon), painted all classes, repaired chipped floors, laid cabros at the entrance, facelift of the computer lab, improved drainage and walkways in the school, improved students welfare and teachers in several spheres, among others.
Community and Political Support
Mrs Alice Gimose, representing area Member of Parliament Hon. Charles Gimose, pledged 10 lorry-loads of sand and full fee coverage for Hamisi day scholars via National Government Constituency Development Fund bursaries.
She shared her inspirational journey from diploma to PhD, urging students to persevere.
Parents’ Association Chair Andrew Govedi praised Mr Lunani’s inclusive leadership, while top 2024 achievers received travel bags, inspiring current candidates.
A Unified Call to Action
The event closed with a rallying cry for collaboration among parents, staff, alumni, and the community.
As Nyang’ori embraces CBC and infrastructure renewal, stakeholders left energised to transform challenges into stepping stones for greatness.
“Education is light,” echoed Mr Lunani, encapsulating the day’s ethos—a beacon guiding Nyang’ori towards a brighter, competitive future.
National Education Secretary of PAG church, Rev. Dr Mugwambo said the church had 708 educational institutions across the country but Nyang’ori School is at the heart of PAG.
He said that the church has an elaborate plans geared towards learners and that is why every learning institution under PAG has a chaplain.
He challenged that a mean of 8.2 is just achievable and that they should work towards it and make Nyang’ori and their parents proud.
The school Chaplain, Mr. George Lugalo who represented the General Superintendent Rev. Kenneth Adiara asked students to work hard.
Key Takeaways:
– Ambitious academic targets aligned with elite schools.
– Infrastructure upgrades to support CBC and student welfare.
– Community partnerships and alumni engagement critical for success.
– Discipline, fee compliance, and teacher support remain pivotal.
