Kisii School Explained

Kisii Secondary School
Motto:Strive For Excellence
Established:1934
Type:Public
Head Label:Principal
Head:Fred Mogoka
Chairperson:Reuben Sinange
Founder:Young Kavirondo Association
Address:Kisii-Sotik Road B3
Postcode:40200
Administrative Staff:>10
Colours: dark green, grey, gold
Website:kisiischool.ac.ke

Kisii School is a public high school for boys in Kisii, Kenya, established in 1934.

History

Kisii School was established in July 1934 as Government African School (GAS) Kisii following a petition by local councils for a local school in 1933 to Sir Joseph Byrne and subsequent pooling of resources by the same to the tune of of Sh. 120,000 for the establishment of the school on a shared basis with an additional Sh. 3,000 for equipment.[1] Land for the school was provided by the then Nyaribari location chief Musa Nyandusi just outside Kisii township. Work began in January 1934 led by masons from the Kabete Industrial Training Depot and the school began operations in July 1934[2] Some 300 pupils from across the district were invited to sit an entrance examination for the first class in Standard III to be admitted in January 1935, competing for 60 slots in the school.[3] The pupils who passed were mainly from Luo Nyanza, so the district commissioner ordered a retake of the examination to ensure that more Kisii and Kuria pupils would be admitted to the school.

Historical Timeline

1935- January: the first pupils sat in the Standard III class. Charles A. Berridge, a native of Canada, was appointed the first principal of the school. He remained at GAS Kisii until 1939 when he moved to Government African School Kitui.[4]

1935- February: Governor Sir Joseph Byrne keeps his promise to open the school but falls ill and cancels at the last minute. He sent the acting Chief Native Commissioner Sydney Hugh La Fontaine to open the school on his behalf. La Fontaine was received by the district commissioner Major J.V. Dawson.[5]

1938- Presented the first candidate for Primary School Examinations. By now, the school had 60 pupils in 2 streams of 30 each. The students had to be 50% Kisii and 50% Luo (Kisii 30 Pupils, Luo 30 pupils)

1945- The Secondary School section was started. At that time, this was called the Junior Secondary- equivalent to standard 7 and 8. The population was still 60 per class.

1946 - Presented the first student for Kenya African Preliminary Examination.

1949 - Started the senior secondary (from 3 and 4) These candidates were to be prepared for KASSE (Kenya African Secondary School Examination)

1950 - Presented candidates for KASSE (Kenya African Secondary School Examination)

1953 -The school admitted candidates for a P3 teacher training course which lasted 3 years. It was later shifted to Kabianga Teachers College (present-day Kabianga University) before later on moving to present-day Kericho Teachers Training College.

1956 - The school entered its first candidates for Cambridge School Certificate. A total of 60 students were registered.

1962- The school was among the 6 schools to introduce 'A' LEVEL (Art) with a single stream of 30 students.

1963 - Presented its first Higher School Certificate candidates commonly referred to as A-Level Examination.

1967 - The 'A' level science class or science stream was started. By now, the student population was 450 (form 1 to 6).

Notable Alumni

References

  1. South Kavirondo Annual Report 1933, DC/KIS/1/4, KNA p. 24
  2. South Kavirondo Annual Report 1935, DC/KIS/1/4, KNA p. 20
  3. Ibid
  4. Web site: View entry: Berridge, Charles Allan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240718113248/https://www.europeansineastafrica.co.uk/_site/custom/database/default.asp?a=viewIndividual&pid=2&person=5650 . 2024-07-18 . March 29, 2022 . Europeans in East Africa.
  5. South Kavirondo Annual Report 1935 op cit.
  6. News: Abuda . David . 2023-09-02 . Ratemo Michieka's life journey, treatise on nationhood . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240718111601/https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/art-books/ratemo-michieka-s-life-journey-treatise-on-nationhood-4355882 . 2024-07-18 . 2024-07-18 . Nation Africa.
  7. News: Kinyanjui . Jeff . 2019-10-19 . John 'Mo' Muiruri: the Kenyan legend living the dream in Norway . live . 2024-07-18 . Nation Africa.
  8. News: 2008-07-27 . Mulama's big move from the pitch to the dug-out . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240718114505/https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/football/mulama-s-big-move-from-the-pitch-to-the-dug-out--551230 . 2024-07-18 . 2024-07-18 . Nation Africa.
  9. News: Oruta . Brian . 2021-02-01 . Biography: Simeon Nyachae . live . 2024-07-18 . Pulse Live.
  10. News: 2011-04-20 . Meet the MPs of Kisii County . live . 2024-07-18 . Nation Africa.
  11. Web site: Odero Jowi Bio.

External links