Chairman's Report 2012

In the past 12 months, 2 trustees visited the school(JD and RD ) in May and again in November with 2 supporters. During these visits, there was considerable involvement with the head teacher , teachers and pupils, and some input in teaching several subjects such as English , Science, needlework and games. There are now 330 pupils in the nursery and primary, with 50 sponsored , and 20 sponsored at secondary.

Government teachers went on strike for some weeks at the beginning of the autumn term which meant that the curriculum could not be covered in time for the final exams for standard 8 normally held in November. The exams were therefore postponed until well into December for both government and non-government schools, causing considerable disruption for both staff and pupils, and a late closing date for the school.

The exam results only became available on 29/1/2013,(some 4 weeks later than usual). 250 marks enables a child to proceed to secondary school, and all pupils achieved this. 3sponsored children were between 250 and 300,5 were between 300 and 400, and 1 boy got 400, a score which should mean he is offered a place in a National school. His position was 8th equal min the entire Kwale district, quite an achievement. Kwale district is at position 43 out of 50 in the whole of Kenya, reflecting the fact that coastal district has always performed badly academically , compared with high achieving ‘up country’ areas.

The costs of secondary schooling continues to be a problem for most families. The government make an annual donation to the school of 10000 K sh ( about £80) ,but in view of the charges added by the school for things such as board/lodging ,(many schools are situated a great distance from the child’s home and pupils are allotted places having no choice), exam fees ,transport, medical cover etc etc, the total costs far exceed this, meaning the parents have to find another £200+ at least, impossible for most in this poor area. Sponsors who continue to support into secondary school will pay £200 and any shortfall has to come from family/village fundraising. The following conditions have to be met for sponsorship to continue.

First, a school report has to be handed to the head teacher of KAG each term and a reasonable attainment reached.

Secondly , by November each year, a letter for the sponsor must be provided. It has been asked that this be done now in August to avoid Harrison and Rosemary chasing up in November before we return to the UK

Thirdly, there must be no arrears of fees due at the end of each year.

These conditions have been fully explained to the pupils and parents.

Once again , most pupils have complied, but some have needed chasing up and reminded of their responsibilities.

Fund Raising

The charity’s main fundraiser was held a little earlier this year in October, and raised £ 1670, a very gratifying result in view of the difficult economic conditions. Our support, as always, is generally from older local people, and sponsors, with younger people conspicuous by their absence. This was despite the head teacher of Emley school distributing fliers to all parents of school children, and RD having done an assembly there, in which the project was described. PowerPoint presentations continue to be done by RD to interested groups when requested, and this generates further support. RD is ably assisted by supporters Dylis and Rita on such occasions.

School Management

The board of governors meet monthly, and have provided a business plan for 2012-15.

Teaching Staff

These are detailed in the annual news letter. There has been less turnover of staff in the past 12 months. The deputy head Christine left and Billy was appointed. He is very IT literate, very keen, and it is to be hoped he will stay, as he would be a considerable asset once computers have hopefully been fitted to the new library/ community room when it has been completed.

Staff turnover appears to be due to the fact that teachers at government schools are paid better ,particularly after achieving a 30% pay rise after going on strike in mid 2012, and also have a government pension scheme. It is difficult for non-profit making charitable schools like KAG to compete, but attempts are being made to improve matters.

Buildings

The library/computer room/community room has now been fully roofed, and the internal walls rendered. Stone flooring tiles were being laid in November 2012 which will make the floor much more hard wearing than the usual poor quality cement. Power points are in place in the walls , and some window frames fitted, but these are expensive and will require more funds. There is a need for shelving, furniture, painting, installation of water for the toilets, and electricity, some of which will hopefully take place in 2013 , again depending on funding. It is also envisaged that charity supporters may give ‘hands on’ help in November 2013 to achieve some of the above.

Toilets and Water

Following its support in 2011 for the building of a new toilet block for boys, Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary Club donated a further £1000 in 2012, enabling the installation of piped water, and also the building of a septic tank, to which the new block and the ‘old one’ have been connected. The old block has also been extended and modified for the use of teachers and girls.

Piped water necessitated the digging of a 300m trench from the main road and was done last May, much of the work being done by parents. There are several taps, one outside the new library, which will support the toilets there, one in both toilet blocks, and a further one outside. It is to be hoped these measures will improve health and hygiene for staff and pupils.

School Bus

This was purchased in 2010, and has made the transport of children much more efficient, and is being used also for ‘days out’ for KAG, and for other schools who hire it.

Sponsorship costs

Remains unchanged at £150 pa for primary and £200 for secondary.

Mosquito Nets

Approx 600 nets were supplied and fitted between 2009-11, initially to sponsored children, but subsequently to all children in the school, and their families. Additionally, nets were made available to families unconnected to the school, if it was felt the need was great. Thanks to some individual donations, nets were bought in November 2012, and given to new pupils .Distribution of nets more widely is the aim of the trustees but will only occur when the library has been completed.

Pupils’ Diet

A balanced meal continues to be served to all children at lunchtime, and is the only meal that some children have in the day. Milk sponsorship continues ,some by individuals, and some by sponsorship from a local school. The price of milk varies throughout the year and is at times unaffordable, making continuous supply difficult. For some time ,there has been concern that many children were arriving at school, generally early in the morning after a long journey, having had nothing to eat, making their ability to profit maximally from lessons difficult. We are pleased to announce that for 2013 funding has been given ,again from Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary Club, which has enabled a ‘breakfast club ‘ to be started for such children. The £500 donation will enable 40 children to have a bowl of porridge every morning, and this will hopefully improve general wellbeing and education. This funding will last 1 year but, if successful, it is the intention of the trustees that it continue , if funding allows.

Website

This continues to show what the charity is doing. This chairman’s report will be displayed , together with that for 2011 to give some continuity.

Future.

The completion of the library, stocking with books and computers.

James Donnan Chairman 31/1/2013