– Discipline –
Capital FM News sought to know the disciplinary measures the ‘excellent’ school has adopted, to ensure they maintain high performance nationally, coupled with well-behaved students.
“Just like any other school, we have cases of indiscipline,” the school principal, Maina Gitonga admits, but points out that a well structured plan is needed to ensure discipline is maintained.
From the day ‘the boy’ is admitted to school, he is assigned a teacher, whom will be his surrogate parent for four years.
“The best time you can nurture the boy, is the day you see him at the gate,” the principal says.
The role of a surrogate parent will be to interact and monitor the student activities.
From there, the student is required to commit himself, in writing, that he shall follow the rules of the school, the principal adds.
“The commitment is put in their personal files,” he reveals. “We deal with them…we do not take them to police stations.”
Any slight case of indiscipline say making noise at the classroom, the students at Utumishi Academy are required to put an explanation in writing, which is also put in their files.
This helps their teachers and the school to know the history of a student and in case of anything, Mwangi says they will just refer to their respective files.
Then there are the family units in the school, entailing 10 -15 students.
At this level, Mwangi says the students are grouped from all forms (classes) and assigned one teacher who plays a parent.
The family units are required to discuss every member of the family’s performance and discipline issues.
“The student will be put to task, the family members on everything,” Deputy Principal in-Charge of Administration Andrew Mosota says.
The family units often have “party sessions” to celebrate their successes.
If a student commits a serious disciplinary case and ‘in-house measures’ fails, his parent is now engaged.
Such a student faces a panel that consist his parents, the class teacher, Principal or his Deputy, House Master and the Head of Department (HOD).
He also says the prefect body is effective and widely accepted among the students and teachers.
“The prefect body must have the right students. They must be disciplined,” Mosota asserts.
He also says the students should also be taken through counselling, “in case their problems are emanating from home.”
But it is not always a case of punishment, the school Principal advises that sometime negotiations work.
During international events like football leagues, highly adored by students, Mwangi says, “we normally seat down with them and agree how we can still enjoy the league and learn.”
They also agree the important games to watch without interfering with the learning programme.
With cases of arsons increasing in the country, Mwangi says any solution reached by the stakeholders must be all inclusive.
“The students must be heard. All they want is attention,” he says.
“There are very few things you can take to the grave with you. The number one thing is your reputation and good name. When people think about you when you are gone, you do want them to remember you for your outstanding integrity, guard it as your own life. Temptations to cut corners and break your integrity are sure to come, but stay put for what is right,” it is a message the students are always reminded.
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