March 28, 2025
Part of the Russia Cultural Workshops Series – Busia County, March 2025
About the School
St. Paul Busende Secondary School, a mixed public institution located off the Busia-Kisumu Road, serves 481 students with a team of 23 teachers (14 government-funded, 9 school-funded). Established in 2009 and sponsored by the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), the school is led by Principal Mr. Yese L.K. Ojiambo Ouma. The school prides itself on Kiswahili as its best-performing subject and boasts good infrastructure, primarily funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Students contribute KES 12,000 annually to support the feeding program and teachers’ salaries.
When We Visited – 28 March 2025
On March 28, 2025, the “Path to Russia” team visited St. Paul Busende Secondary School. Our visit was part of a broader workshop initiative in Busia County, focusing on cultural exchange and identifying key areas for educational support. We engaged with the school’s leadership, observed their facilities, and discussed the challenges and opportunities for the school’s growth and student welfare.
Activities Conducted
Our engagement at St. Paul Busende Secondary School included:
- Briefing with Leadership: A meeting with the Principal, Board of Management, and Hon. Catherine Omanyo (Woman MP) to discuss the school’s vision and needs.
- School Tour: A comprehensive tour of the school compound and facilities.
- Cultural Workshops: Interactive sessions introducing Russian language and culture to the students, fostering a global perspective.
- Dialogue on Development: Discussions on how “Path to Russia” can support the school’s development priorities, particularly in addressing teacher shortages and improving learning resources.
Challenges Observed
During our visit, we identified several challenges impacting St. Paul Busende Secondary School:
- Teacher Shortage: A critical need for 2 additional teachers to adequately cover subjects such as computer studies, agriculture, business studies, and geography.
- Student Dropouts: Approximately 25 students drop out annually due to poverty, early marriages, and pregnancies, highlighting significant socio-economic pressures.
- Lack of Library Resources: Absence of a dedicated school library and insufficient literature materials limit student research and reading.
- Infrastructural Gaps: A pressing need for an administrative block to streamline school operations.
- Unequipped Computer Lab: The computer lab is poorly equipped with only 3 functional computers, hindering digital literacy education.
- Teacher Salary Delays: Only 65% of expected fees are collected, leading to delays in paying school-funded teachers, affecting morale and retention.
Why It Matters
St. Paul Busende Secondary School plays a vital role in providing education in Busia County, despite facing significant resource and social challenges. Addressing these issues will not only enhance the learning environment but also directly impact student retention and academic performance. Our initiative aims to support the school in creating a more conducive and resource-rich environment for its students and dedicated staff.
Looking Ahead
Our commitment to St. Paul Busende Secondary School includes supporting its key development priorities:
- Teacher Recruitment: Facilitating the recruitment of 2 additional teachers to address the current shortage and broaden the curriculum.
- Library Establishment: Setting up a fully functional school library with adequate literature materials to promote reading and research.
- Infrastructure Development: Constructing a dedicated administrative block to improve operational efficiency.
- ICT Enhancement: Equipping the computer lab with sufficient and modern devices to advance digital literacy skills.
- Financial Stability: Collaborating to find solutions for consistent fee payments to ensure timely teacher salaries and smooth school operations.
- Dropout Prevention: Supporting programs aimed at reducing student dropouts, addressing underlying issues like poverty and early pregnancies.
These initiatives are crucial for St. Paul Busende Secondary School to continue its mission of providing quality education and nurturing the potential of its students.
