ESHITARI SECONDARY SCHOOL - Kakamega, Kenya

Eshitari Secondary School, Kenya

NAME AND LOCATION

Eshitari mixed secondary school was established in 1995 by the late Mzee Reuben Andeyi. The school is located an hour’s drive northwest of Kakamega and approximately 3 kilometres from Sigalagala-Sabatia road,east of Butere. It is currently categorized by the ministry of education Kenya as a district school.

The school was named after an indigenous tree commonly known as ‘Eshitari’. This tree was found growing in large numbers in the area. It is a very tough and strong tree that has the ability to survive harsh environmental conditions (i.e. it grows in arid and semi arid areas). This species of trees is currently becoming extinct in the area owing to negative human activities.

THE NEED FOR A SECONDARY SCHOOL

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of Eshitari community realized that their children were walking long distances to access secondary education, hence arose the need for coming up with a secondary school within the community. As the vision bearer, Mzee Andeyi mobilized the elders of the community towards supporting his vision and managed to get strong backing from; Mzee Jacob Indumuli, Mzee Ouna, Mzee Jacob Andika, the late Habert Nandwa, the late Mzee William Keya and the late Mzee George Makero. This was during the jurisdiction of the late ex-chief Peter Omusotsi.

INITIAL STUDENT ADMISSION AND STAFFING

Volunteer teachers were invited to start teaching the pioneer group of students. This invitation attracted the following teachers; Mr. Patrick Shikanda, Mrs. Beatrice Okutu,Mr. Wycliffe Ayoyi and Mr. Peter Amaumo. (Mr. Peter Amaumo is currently the area assistant chief). The school committee members comprising of the above mentioned elders volunteered to bring their sons and daughters as well as relatives for admission as pioneer students. In addition teachers went round the village from house to house convincing standard eight graduates to join the school. This move led to successful admission of three students in form one, namely; Benson Bulinga, Kennedy Achero and Okoti Isaiah.

THE COLLAPSE

The school begun on a good note but the going became tough with time as the school was entirely dependent on the primary school that was by then under the leadership of Mr. Aura. The many challenges faced by the school finally led to its collapse at the end of 1996. The main challenges faced by the school were as follows:

Lack of teaching/learning facilities
Lack of funds
Lack of support from the primary section and the community
Low student enrolment
THE REVIVAL

The founder of the school was displeased with the turn of events and more so the eventual collapse of the school he had pioneered to establish. He could not just sit and watch to see his vision die and his efforts go in vain. He was determined to see the school rise to its feet again. He therefore mobilized some elders in the community and worked towards the revival of the school in the year 2000.

During this period the school committee comprised of Mr. Isaac Ashuma as the chairperson and very instrumental elders namely; Mzee Jacob Indumuli and the late Mzee Yonam Ambani.( Mr. Ashuma is a member of the current B.O.G).The school received financial support from the then member of parliament for Butere constituency, Hon. Amukoa Anangwe (ex-M.P). His support contributed much to the stability of the school from then onwards. It was during this time that the construction of the first tuition block of two classrooms started. The block was built on an 8.1 acre land donated by Eshitari primary school under the headship of Mr. Omunandi. Volunteer teachers included, Mr. Kodia, Mrs. Beatrice Okutu, Ms. Violet Aseka and Mr. Benson Naika. The Hon. M.P also volunteered to pay all the volunteer teachers on monthly basis for a period of one year. Mr Omunandi doubled up his duties of school administration both in the primary and secondary section.

In 2002, the school received its first principal; Mr. Joseph Ngecho who led the institution for some time and then handed over to the current principal Mr. Alex Shibero. Since then the school has continued to show steady growth in student enrolment, staffing, academic performance and co- curricular/extra – curricular activities. Currently the school admits students from a wide catchment area namely; Butere district, Mumias district, Kakamega district and Khwisero district.

The school continues to produce students who show exemplary performance in national examinations and get direct JAB admissions to public universities year after year. Some of the students who have secured chances in the public universities include; Humphrey Andati-B.ED. ARTS –University of Nairobi, Mabwa Joseph- B. SCIENCE (mechanical and manufacturing engineering) - university of Nairobi, Otianya Hesborn-B.ED. SCIENCE-Moi University, Dairus Omollo-B.SCIENCE (Ecotourism) - Egerton University and John Odera-B.ED.SCIENCE-University of Nairobi.