Rural school rides on academic ‘clinics’ to post sterling results

Teachers at Ndima Kanini Academy in Mathira celebrate some of the pupils who performed well in the just-released KCPE examinations. [Photo Jacinta Mutura, Standard]

Ndima Kanini Academy in Mathira constituency, Nyeri is a manifestation of how schools can reap big through board-based approach in management.

The school registered a mean score of 369 marks with the five out of 67 pupils scoring more than 400 marks, an improvement from last year’s 365 marks.

According to the school’s manager, Lincoln Njogu, there has been a steady rise in the school’s performance from 301 in 2005 following the introduction of a board-based approach in the school where parents’ representatives are involved in crucial decisions relating to the school. “We have been scoring an improved mean score each year since 2005 because of the way the school is run,” Njogu said.

Another strategy adopted by the school is having academic clinics as a way of constantly monitoring children’s performances throughout the term. The school has installed a biometric system which sends an alert to parents each time their child enters the class in the morning or exits the school in the evening. Further, each class has a CCTV camera with others  located on the corridors.

John Kinyua, the board chairperson, noted that the use of social media enhanced communication between parents and the school.

“Parents get regular updates about school activities and events, including results of continuous assessment tests. This initiative has been very well received by both parents and teachers,” said Kinyua.

Although Ndima Kanini Academy is located in the heart of Mathira, some 20 kilometres from the Nyeri–Nairobi highway, learners hail from all over the country. 

In this year’s national examinations, private primary schools registered better performance than public schools.