Read and you will get a good husband

JOYCE NYANJONG, 53, is a first in many aspects - from being the first girl in her village to do A-levels, to being the first female principal of Kisumu National Polytechnic. She is proof that education does open many doors. She spoke to ANDERSON OJWANG

When I received my letter of appointment as the Principal of Kisumu National Polytechnic from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), I knew time had come for me to prove that women also have what it takes to run such national institutions.

I knew it was not going to be a simple challenge because, in the history of management of the institution, I was (and still is) the first woman principal. I knew I had to pitch for women in the management of national polytechnics.

Joyce Nyanjong’ [Photos: TITUS MUNALA/standard and COURTESY]

My ambition as the principal is to help students graduate every year rather than take the two years they are currently taking to graduate. Every year we produce over 800 graduates and there is nothing to stop students from graduating every year.

My appointment was a realisation of a struggle that dates back from childhood when more preference was given to the education of boys than girls. Girls were under intense pressure from their grandmothers and aunties to get married.

It is because my father treasured education that I was able to take the path that was shunned by many at that time. He ignored the cultural bias of educating girls and we were able to wade through despite pressure to get married at an early age by family members and the society in general.

Teasing

My father’s slogan was chuo ok rum som mondo iyud mabeyo (men do not run out of stock. Read and you will get a better husband), and this is what motivated me in my pursuit for education. I can attest to the fact that he was not wrong.

Whenever I came back home for school holidays, my grandmother would often tease me about when she would see her great grandchildren and milk cows from my dowry.

My mother had not gone beyond Class Eight and so she never wanted any of her daughters to be like her. She strove to see us all study to the university level.

Because of my mother’s role in the community, she was nominated as a councillor for Ahero Municipality. I think I inherited the leadership acumen from her.

As a result, I was the only girl in our village who was in secondary school after most of my agemates dropped out. I remember when I joined Form One in 1971, we were 40 students and by the time we were sitting for O-level examinations in 1975, the class had thinned to 24.

I was the first girl to sit for A-levels and to join university from my village.

At the university I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science in 1982 and was among the first lot to be posted as teachers. I went to teach at Kabaa High School in Machakos, where I was the only female teacher.

I stayed there for a term before I was transferred to Kangaru High School in Embu. I taught there for two years then left to join Kenyatta University for a postgraduate diploma in Education.

Afterwards, I was posted to Nyamira Girls in Bondo, where I taught for a year before moving to Siriba Teachers College in 1989 before it became Maseno University College.

I joined Kisumu National Polytechnic (then Kisumu Technical Training Institute) in 1990 and have risen through the ranks to the top.

I started out as a classroom teacher but was soon promoted to head the Department of Liberal Studies.

In 1996, I was moved to the Office of the Dean, assisting the Dean of Students.

In 2007, I was appointed Dean of Students by the Teachers’ Service Commission and in 2009, I was made Deputy Principal.

I am not only a teacher as I also engage in various community projects. One of them is the Obuolo Women Development group through which we put up an Administration Police quarters to enhance security in our area.

Similarly, I have engaged in forums that encourage girls to pursue education. I also donate books to schools and to needy students.

I have learnt that leadership is learnt and is a gradual process that involves understanding people and their attitudes and helping them cope with their strengths and weaknesses.

Successful students

I have been able to understand the challenges of bright and needy students who cannot pay school fees and to look for solutions to help them, because denying them education is like killing their future.

As the Dean of Students, I learnt how to cope with the students’ social problems and counselled them.

I want to ensure good grades for students because this is the only way to guarantee a good future for them.

As a mother, my happiness would only be realised in the success of my students. This is why I have to put in place academic strategies that are working.

My hobbies include reading, aerobics and swimming. I read a lot because knowledge has no boundaries and every book has a message that can shape one’s life. But my favourite authors are Danielle Steel and Wilbur Smith.

Like an African woman, I love wearing kitenge, suits and formal wear. An African woman must be smart and presentable. A woman is judged and respected by the manner of her dressing and that is why I have maintained formal dressing.

I am a Christian and it is a rule that every member of my family must go to church. We pray in the morning and at night.