Integrity and consistency transcend horizons at Ebusia secondary school

St Paul’s Ebusia Mixed Day and Boarding Secondary School has over the years remained one of the best performing learning institutions in Kakamega county and beyond.

Boasting of a student population of 800, guided by 18 TSC teachers and 9 under BoM terms, the school’s mean score has gradually but consistently improved over the last 5 years. In 2024 KCSE, the school recorded a positive deviation of 0.093, posting a mean of 6.053 from 5.96 recorded in KCSE 2023.

The 2024 class made history after 76 candidates from a candidature of 206 qualified for direct university admission, marking the highest number ever recorded in the school’s history.

The current candidate  consists of 260 candidates, who are burning the midnight oil to surpass their KCSE target of 6.5. Their success strategy includes an expanded learning time with morning classes from 5-6 a.m, and evening classes from 7-9 p.m. Additionally, the school holds Mathematics sessions during lunch break from 1.20-2:00 p.m on weekdays, featuring Random Assessment Tests (RAT) that are issued, marked and corrected to address specific areas of concern. The students also have practical sessions for Science subjects every Sunday.

Principal Femina Mwandihi, who joined the school 3 years ago, said the robust academic program must deliver good results. She added that she aims to ensure the syllabus is completed by April to ensure students have quality time to revise past papers and other learning materials.

“We launch revision programs from May to October every year. During this period, we carry out intensive testing and revision from past KCSE and mock papers. We also invite motivational speakers who bring films as teaching tools, especially for the languages. Students watch these films based on novels to better internalize the content,” she highlighted, adding that they hold Keshas in all subjects.

She noted further that exams are administered from half past eight in the evening, marked and discussed with students to allow them familiarize themselves with Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) requirements.

“We organize symposia for both internal and external exams, which not only increase candidates’ psyche but also help us create ability groups to support weak students. This approach helps us to monitor their progress and ultimately reduce failure rates in national examinations,” stated the principal.

The Catholic Diocese of Kakamega sponsored school adheres to all the doctrines enshrined in the church and has always maintained discipline and valued integrity at all costs.

The principal noted that it hasn’t been all rosy. One major challenge the school faces is irresponsible fee payment that stagnates its growth. The school is also understaffed with only 18 TSC teachers, contrary to the Curriculum Based Expectations of 34.

“Absenteeism is also an issue of concern as some students miss class without justifiable reasons,” Mwandihi noted, adding that the cosmopolitan school draws its students from the neighbouring constituencies of Navakholo and Mumias East, making the distribution of bursaries difficult because the school is in the border of the two constituencies.

Madam Mwandihi expressed concerns over the repeated delays in the disbursement of capitation funds to schools by the Ministry of Education.

“I beseech the Ministry of Education to practice fairness by providing timely and adequate funding to schools to ensure all students captured in the NEMIS are not left out,” she opined, adding that the Ministry should also improve infrastructure in the school since it has incorporated CBC in its learning system. Currently, the school lacks Home Science, Music and Computer Studies rooms.

Deputy Principal Joshua Otindo, in collaboration with other hardworking teachers, has stamped authority at the school in terms of discipline and academics which have both improved steadily and made the school a centre of excellence.

Director of Studies Mr Dominic Wamalwa attributed the school’s success to the endless support from the principal and BoM.

“Through their support, we’re able to do monthly exams and award the best performers by taking them for benchmarking sessions in the best universities across the country. We also issue cash rewards to motivate other students to work hard.” He stated.