Kanunga high School Library Pic- www.kanungaschool.ac.ke

"I will reward any Kanunga School 2011 KCSE candidate who will score a Mean Grade of ‘A (Plain) a token of Kshs. 5,000/= when the results are published. I know that many will get Mean Grade of ‘A’ (Plain) and I might be overwhelmed by what I will raise for them! But that is what promises are," said B.O.Ogange the former headmaster of Kanunga High School when he spoke in a Thankgivings event at Kanunga High School. Most certainly old boys who are proud to call him "My Headmaster" will have his back if all students were to pass with an A Grade.

SPEECH DURING PRIZE GIVING DAY AT KANUNGA SCHOOL

23/09/2011

BY B.O. OGANGE, GUEST OF HONOUR

Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me a nostalgic feeling to be here in the company of former Kanunga School teaching colleagues. Many have since moved elsewhere. A good number are currently Professors, PhD holders and senior lecturers in various public and private universities.

At the same time, many of our former students gathered here have also climbed the academic ladder to positions of doctors, lecturers, priests, entrepreneurs, innovative business magnates and industrialists.

This is a welcome achievement that has grown from our Kanunga School family, which started like a grain of mustard seed and has now grown into a huge tree for all to share in its existence, in the form of shelter and a nurturing fountain of academic accomplishment.

It is my prayer that this motivating bug and trend continues in the future.

The level of discipline at the school is palpable as one arrives, and this is obviously a result of the input of the current members of staff,  under the captaincy of the Principal, Mr. Mwangi J.K, School Board of Governors, whose Chairman is Mr. Jude Kangethe Njomo,  who is also an Old Boy of the school. The current crop of students that we have at Kanunga suggests that all those involved in its academic set up are focused towards producing very responsible students and citizens.

I wish to highlight on some facets of Kanunga School as follows;-

1. Former members of staff and their position as role models in the society
2. The role of old boys in motivating current students of Kanunga School and what these students are meant to learn from them
3. Current Kanunga School students - our expectations of them, especially of the candidates for whom we have a Thanksgiving occasion today, in preparation for KCSE 2011 Examinations.

Former members of staff and their status as role models in the society
Just like the current dedicated members of teaching and non-teaching staff, former members of staff were a source of inspiration to me when working with them. They set the tone for the school and each performed her/his roles without any prodding by the Principal. It was a team that gave its best to the school, especially to the students. This attitude evolved because the Principal was perceived to be first and foremost a classroom teacher,  and members of staff and students saw him as part of them - one who gives guidance, not as one who generates instructions.

I noted that whenever any one of the teachers identified a job opening elsewhere e.g. working at the university, I encouraged them to pursue their new undertakings and windfalls. This is exemplified by the fact that some of them ended up climbing the academic ladder. They included Dr. Mbugua Wallace of Kenyatta University (Linguistics & Literature), Dr Oduor Fred (Nairobi University, Chemistry), Dr. Mburu (Kenyatta University, Philosophy), Dr. Isabirye  (a University in South Africa), Professor Kisovi (Kenyatta University, Chairman Geography Department),  the late S.K Kariuki (Deputy Registrar, Nairobi  University-Kikuyu Campus), Deputy Principals, Mr. Gaitho, Mrs Gathura and  the late Father  O’Connor,  whose guidance to students was invaluable. The list of achievers appears endless e.g Dr. Odambafwata and Prof. Kimengi currently an Academic Dean,  Moi University.

Other members of staff established flourishing academies e.g. Mrs Jane Kariuki (formerly Miss Koinange) Director Chantilly School. This is an attestation that current teachers here too will move a rung up the ladder or diversify their aspirations, if they so desire. The seed of self motivation among staff had been planted and I have no doubt in my mind that this seed continues to flourish at Kanunga School.

The role of the Old Boys
The innovative records and personal drive of the Old Boys of Kanunga School have been a great source of inspiration to me and, I am sure, many others. Most of them have made strides of personal achievement in the academic, business and professional fields.

Some of those in the academic field include:  Dr. Obere (Kenyatta University, Department of Econometrics), Dr. Bob Blasto Awuor (U.K/Urban Planning) Mr Onsongo (Lecturer, Kenyatta University, Department of Geography), Mr. Ngige Njoroge (Kenyatta University, Mathematics Department),  Muchai Nganga (Kenyatta University Library), Prof. Kanari (Deputy Rector (equivalent of DVC) Kigali  Institute of Education, Rwanda); prominent lawyers in the calibre of Judson Okoth Oriema (of Goldenberg Case),  Steve Mwangi, Nduati Charago and Co Advocates, Mwangi Njega and also outstanding Valuers & Estate management Surveyors like Timothy Njehia,  Samuel Odiembo and  Ndungu Kaberere; Kinyanjui of Kinyanjui Ventures; Mutie (Current PC of Nyanza Province),  Tom Sipul (Deputy Director, Kenya Wildlife); Peterson Mwangi and Njenga both  PhD students in the Netherlands and at Kenyatta University respectively. Fred Odawo (Kenya Airports Authority), Eng. Okemba Owoko (General Manager, Masterlink), Francis Charagu Mongai of Nyanokwi Logistics.

Proprietors like Caxton Munyuoki Mwangangi (dealing in solar panels); Ben Gaithuma Director ICDC Kenya;Hydrologists like Peter Waruhiu and many Principals of secondary schools like Joshua Orero (of Upper Hill School) and also a host of Deputy Principals; Julius Misore (President, Rotary Club Kisumu); Meshack Muga (KEFRI) Wilson Njenga Regional Commisioner Lower Central; Waithaka Muhoro, Director KBC; Charles Kilonzo current  MP Yatta Constituency,Vincent Gaitho lecturer CUEA; Vincent Charles Waihenya, George Kamondia AEO Kiambu; Engineer Ngugi Boro; Waweru Ngure, Aloyce Kirika of Telekom,  Michael Muhoho Businessman, Njuguna Airforce avionics, James Mungai Electronic specialists, Dr. Simon Gikanga of KTDA, Samuel Njuguna of National Assembly and Sam Muhoho Finance Director Norbrook East Africa, to name but a few. The list is long.

The few mentioned here are just reminders that Kanunga School students were and remain results-oriented and formidable positive achievers. Whatever one chose to pursue, be it in employment, entrepreneurship or farming,  we recognized this as an achievement we had to always emulate.

There are those who responded to priestly calling and they include Fr. Mwangi, Head of Komboni Faithfuls in Kenya;  Fr. Anthony Gachau (Gatitu), Fr. Paul Mbugua (Ngoigwa, Thika), Fr. Steve Kariuki (Mangu), Fr. Martin Njau (St Camilus, Karungu), Anthony Gichuru; Daniel Njoroge Munge (Spain, studying philosophy towards priesthood) and  Fr. Mwaura. There are other priests not mentioned here. This is a wonderful conviction we all have to appreciate and be proud of.

Finally, there are those who operate from the air like Epalaat who is a pilot for the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).The mentioned are just a tip of the iceberg of the numerous Kanunga School achievers. In this calibre are self-employed colleagues, many of whom are in the construction industry, some of them are Njuguna 1977/80; Gitau Mungai (1998), Peter Mungai of Mombasa.

These enterprising and motivated gentlemen are scattered everywhere habitable within the six continents. I would not be surprised to find some of them in Greenland because they have the unyielding Kanunga School quest for knowledge and improvement of self and everyone around them.

The old boys of 1978 – 1988 were unique in that they developed a familyhood attitude towards fellow students, and so retrogressive ethnic feelings were unheard of amongst them. These students mixed freely and often, one was keen to identify with those from other ethnic communities. This sense of community at the school was enhanced by the “A” level classes which had students drawn from all over Kenya. This same sense of ‘familyhood’ was passed on to the lower classes within the school.

The students were self-motivated and when they left Kanunga School, they were focused and had the drive to explore more avenues in line with the abilities and talents highlighted in their school leaving certificates; they appreciated that their stay at the school had merely been a stopgap in their future development designs.

The same students formed a close-knit Kanunga community at the universities they went to, partly because of their large intake numbers and also from their school culture: whenever there would be a task to be accomplished, all teachers and students would work at it together.

What I find hugely gratifying is that each one of them has excelled irrespective of the discipline one chose.

Not all joined universities and colleges, but whatever calling one undertook, there was a sense of pride in all that they did. This has been a fulfilling attitude for all past students and teachers of Kanunga School. Students discovered the warm feelings developed by their teachers. Students felt part of the ‘Kanunga community’ because members of staff identified them by their family names and were aware of their individual family backgrounds. Respect to teachers was paramount as teachers looked at their students as family members and not as “students brought to a school to be taught”. This, in my opinion, was indeed a motivating factor.

Close teacher interaction with  parents – old and young, literate or otherwise -  made students realize that they belonged to the two worlds – their parents and the school environment. An example is a former Kibwezi MP, Hon. Kyonda who took time to facilitate the admission of many students to Kanunga. This ensured that those students never disappointed him since he was close to them and knew of their humble backgrounds and need for parental guidance.

Current Students of Kanunga School
The current students of Kanunga School have a challenge, to live up to our expectations - that of the teachers, the community, parents and themselves, especially those due to sit for the 2011 KCSE Examinations.

The students have set their goals and so should strive at achieving those goals. The students should believe and know that they are the best in the neighbourhood. This is because a student wearing a Kanunga School badge alone scores an automatic C grade in KCSE exams. Attending lessons without involving oneself in serious group discussion is a C+ KCSE grade. When one involves himself in serious academic pursuits, there will be higher grades of between B & A scored in the KCSE examinations. Such academic activities include:

1. participating in group discussions because this is a priority now, judging from the time left before the actual national examinations;
2. being KCSE examinations literate such as developing programmed topical group discussion per subject and avoiding working solo;
3. handling Mathematics by showing methodically mathematical steps towards a solution of a problem set;
   engaging in repetitive 3R (read, review, recall) review work;
4. realizing that exams are not the end of life, and if anything, they are props to good living in future, so one has to be calm and absolutely attentive to whatever teachers are passing on;
5. realizing that F1 work covers 25%, F2, 3 & 4 each also covers 25% of KCSE Examination questions, so F1 – 3 work covers 75% of marks (A grade) in any examination subject.
6. avoiding leakages  because they lead to collusion yet examiners (markers) are sensitive to these and usually such practices lead to cancellation of examination results;
7. following instructions in practical examinations. Expect normal specimens in KCSE exams. You are unlikely to find an elephant or any such outlandish specimen
8. reading and understanding examination rubric (instructions to candidates). Failure to stick to the rubric spells failure even when we pray for you as we did today;
9. being familiar with the examination language and words in your study groups and lessons taught.  No amount of bending of words will change the meaning of examination questions. All words used in the examination questions call for specific meaning thus; list, describe, explain, name, account for, discuss, each has  its specific meaning even where words appear to have same connotation;
10. handling easy questions first and the challenging ones later. But if questions all occur in compulsory sections, one has no choice;
11. writing legibly; and
12. praying for God’s guidance because scoring “E” and “A” grades is not easy in KCSE examinations.. So, one has to work negatively to score “E” and positively to score “A” grade which is indeed an achievable feat.(I wonder how many students got a mean grade of “E” in this institution for “O” level/KCSE exams between 1978 and 2010!).

All in all, we expect a lot from you, the candidates, in terms of: level-headedness in the examinations as Form 4s; good distinctive discipline so that anyone observing you will conclude that you are indeed a Kanunga School student; posting good examination results; and trusting your capabilities. Everyone around you, especially your teachers and parents, are looking for an inspiring success from you.

This resounding success is also my wish for the 2011 KCSE Kanunga School candidates. I  will reward any Kanunga School 2011 KCSE candidate  who will score a Mean Grade of  ‘A (Plain) a token of  Kshs. 5,000/= when the results are published. I know that many will get Mean Grade of ‘A’ (Plain) and I might be overwhelmed by what I will raise for them! But that is what promises are. The other side of the coin is that those individuals who score between ‘D’ and ‘E’ Mean Grade in 2011 KCSE ought to pay Kshs. 1,000 to the school for working negatively with regard to our chartered course.

I wish you a happy examination encounter.

God bless you all.

BRODERICK O. OGANGE