State rewards best performing teachers

Women dominated the Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards as the curtains came down on the 41st Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association conference on Friday.

The winners went home a happy lot after President Uhuru Kenyatta, who opened the five-day conference, directed that they be honoured as national heroes and heroines.

The winners were selected from 16 competitors, eight from each category, and underwent a rigorous process from the sub-county, county and national levels where they presented a PowerPoint report, were interviewed by a panel and had to outline their achievements in and outside the classroom.

“This victory came as a big surprise to me. I did not imagine that a teacher from a sub-county school like Karatina Girls could be voted the best teacher in the country. I am excited, I feel very good. I thank God for that,” said Ms Lucy Wangari Mugo, winner of the Teacher of the Year Award.

She walked away with Sh100,000 from the headteachers association and Sh50,000 from Mwalimu National, a teachers’ Sacco, a trophy and a certificate of excellence.

Jambojet airline also presented the winners with two return air tickets to Mombasa, Eldoret or Kisumu.

Mr Solomon Koech of Emining Secondary School in Mogotio, Baringo, in Nakuru County, was declared the winner in the Principal of The Year Award category.

“I prepared for this award for about four years. Although I have been attending the annual conference all these years, this was my first attempt,” the biology and agriculture teacher said.

Like Ms Mugo, he took home Sh150,000, two air tickets, certificates and a trophy.

Ms Susan Mundia of Gatero Girls Secondary School in Laikipia won the second Principal of the Year slot while Ms Beatrice Kawa of St Anns Kiriari in Trans Nzoia was third.

In the Teacher of the Year category, Ms Roselyne Nasiebanda of St Joseph’s Boys in Trans Nzioa was second while Mr Kalunge Joseph from Kaaga Girls Secondary was third.

Teachers Service Commission Chief Executive Nancy Macharia said discussions will start next week to expand the awards as directed by President Kenyatta.

She said Mr Koech and Ms Wangari impressed the panellists with their innovative approach to teaching and adherence to regulations.

She said the commission will consider the two winners for promotion.