Schools in Murang'a rebrand to boost image

 

 

PHOTO:STANDARD

 

Learning institutions in Murang’a, which have been performing poorly in national examinations, are rebranding hoping to change their fortunes.

Leading the pack in rebranding are primary and secondary schools sponsored by the Catholic Church.

Interestingly, the schools which have had a bad name in the past are now named after saints.

The primary and secondary schools which have been rebranded include Kiambugi Secondary School, associated with poor results and indiscipline among students. The school has now been christened St Paul Boys High School.

Some of the schools whose new names have been approved by the Ministry of Education are St Peter’s Kandara (formerly Gakarara Secondary School), St Catherine’s (Gaturi Girls Secondary School), St Augustine’s, Gikindu (Gikindu Secondary School), St John’s Kigongo (Kigongo Secondary School) and St Michael’s Secondary School (Gathuki-ini secondary).

The Standard also established that most of the schools that have rebranded, have also changed their uniforms and mission statements.

Kiambugi Secondary School rebranded following bad memories after the 1980s incident where rioting students burnt down the institution.

It has also changed the school uniform and school colours, painted its building while the Board of Management has started a programme to motivate teachers.

CHANGED FOCUS

In the past three years, other schools that have been renamed are Mbari ya Ruga to St Augustine’s and Kiangage to St Joseph’s.

Kiangoma Secondary School in Mukurwe-ini in Nyeri has been rebranded and named Mukurweini Boys High School.

Its principal Nixon Njue said the re-branding has helped since many students have changed their focus. He said old names were associated with culture of failure and indiscipline.

In an interview, Mr Njue said residents of the former Maragua District opted to change the district’s name to Murang’a South owing to perennial poor performance in national examinations.

“Names mean a lot thus need for the community to embrace new identity for a better future,” said Njue.

In last year’s KCSE results, the school posted a mean of 5.2 from 4.2 the previous year. The administration is eyeing 6.2 this year.

 

Murang’a East education officer Richard Ng’ang’a said stakeholders are effectively consulted before schools in their localities are renamed.

He said once a school shows interest in a new name, all processes are followed to change its identity.

The education official said Gathuki-ini residents supported the idea to rebrand the institution in efforts to uplift standards of education.

“After the idea to rebrand is endorsed through the laid down procedures the county education board registers the name after approval,” said Ng’ang’a.