Introduction
Shilce Secondary school has entered its seventh year since it opened its doors. The Lord Jesus Christ has worked and encouraged us to serve him and cause transformation in our community through acts of love and care. Despite numerous challenges, we have in the midst of them found hope and satisfaction in the Lord and our growth has been tremendous. Shilce has moved from one level of glory to another through the efforts of the students and staff, and the active partnerships of supporters and friends.
The school has numerous achievements that it has made through year 2006 and 2007.
Registration
The school has been able to register with the government through the Ministry of Education in this year. The school now has a pigeon hole at the Ministry to facilitate easier communication with the school on relevant matters.
In view of the registration the school has also been provided with a National Examination Centre Number 401187. This will allow the students to do national exams in the school and easing the transport and logistical costs of having student do their exams in other schools.
Academics
Shilce School students has been performing well with each passing year. For the first time in the history of the school, they managed to have two students acquiring the highest grade to join national university, out of the 18 students who sat for the national examinations. The rest will join other tertiary colleges. The entire school attained a mean grade of C.
School population
The student population has grown to133 students, the numbers broken down as follows in each class: form 1- 30, form 2- 29, form 3- 36, and form 4 has 36 students.
Staff
The school has 10 teachers and 6 support staff members. Out of the ten teachers, 2 are trained teachers, another is a graduate teacher and the rest are waiting to get trained. 8 out of the 10 teachers get monthly allowances. 2 support staff members are supported through the school feeding programmes through money acquired in the school’s Arts programmes
Library
The school has managed to get a few textbooks books especially for the form 4 and form 3 in subjects like English, Maths and Kiswahili at a ratio of 1:3. The school is appealing for more books for the students and library. The school has hired a librarian to manage the books. This has reduced misuse and destruction of the publications, increasing students’ accessibility.
Laboratory
The school has a completed structure that they use as the laboratory. The lab had a handful of equipment at the beginning of the year. Through the support of friends in Ireland, the school was able to acquire more equipment worth KSh. 60,000.
Property
The school has acquired a quarter-acreplot of land at a cost of KSh 850,000. Through the assistance of Shilce Self-Help group and friends the school managed to raise the funds- this is a big step towards sustainability. The school needs more efforts to acquire the remaining quarter-acre at the same amount of KSh.850,000.
Activity
The school has not been able to join other schools in divisional activities like ball games, drama or music because of financial constraints. SO far, it has been trying to be on the academic map. The neighbouring Orthodox Mission Church has allowed the school to use its playing field. This has been very useful for internal games and friendly matches with local schools.
Feeding Programme
The feeding programme has been running for the last 4 years. It has greatly helped in ensuring that the students have a meal- tea and lunch. This has made students to have confidence even when studying, and boosted their morale and motivation for learning.
Arts Project
The school has an Arts Club that paints and makes other decorative items that are marketed in different places. This generates some income for the school and some of its programmes. They include beadworks, paintings, and works of fabric.
Challenges
The school has encountered a number of new challenges as they have grown:
1. Unqualified teachers
2. Salaries for qualified teachers
3. Acquisition of the property
4. Permanent building for classes
5. Payment of rent for the school.
Conclusion
The school has achieved part of its vision - to make the entire community learn, see the Love of Christ in living a wholistic life. This has touched many lives.
Prayer items
1. Improvement in the performance in National exams this year. (2007)
2. Be able to raise funds for the remaining quarter plot
3. Get funds to put up structures and move the School
4. Get funds to pay our teachers according to the government recommendation |
