Embu County Professionals Development Association - ECPDA

*Academic Improvement Initiatives at Gichiche Secondary School*

*Background*

In line with ECPDA’s goal of helping to uplift the education standards in our schools, the BoM members at Gichiche Secondary School have truly taken the call to their hearts and I believe there is something we can emulate from them….some we are already doing elsewhere.

In the recent past, the school has struggled to achieve a single university grade and BoM members felt they needed to support the teachers in their efforts to improve on the grades, especially in the face of extremely limited resources at the disposal of the school’s management.

*Support Given*

The team undertook different approaches including but not limited to:

1. Motivation talks - thank you Emeritus 1 @⁨Mr.Ibrahim Mwathane⁩ and Daktari @⁨Mary Mugane Calmen⁩ for sparing your time and other resources to join the BoM on this.
2. ⁠Revision books - BoM members contributed money to purchase revision books that the teachers requested for to aid in revision.
3. ⁠Subject Matter Experts - BoM members contributed money to engage expert teachers from other schools to help candidates understand what examiners look for in each subject.
4. ⁠Awards & Prizes - Some of the BoM members gave the students personal promises for awards & prizes if they attain certain grades.

*Top Award*
The biggest of the promises was by the BoM Vice Chair @⁨Charles Kamuti⁩ a.k.a Kamutí. Charles promised the candidates a *3 days vacation to the coast with full board accommodation* and a *return SGR ticket* plus *Kshs.20,000 pocket money* to any candidate who would attain a *C+ and above.*
By God’s grace, 2 candidates managed to attain the grade and they were duly rewarded with the pocket money, SGR tickets and paid hotel reservations at the *Sun N Sand Beach Resort*. Two many not sound like much but the team on the ground appreciates very much where those two have come from and we look forward to better things in the years ahead for our children.

Special thanks to other BoM members of the school who are also part of this team, i.e @⁨Wakili Njeru Nyaga⁩ and @⁨janemwathane⁩. God bless you all.

Below are some photos for the day.

A memorable moment with former Chairs and the current Chair of ECPDA.
Encouraging to see such fellowship across generations of leadership—affirming the importance of stewardship, continuity, and gracefully passing the baton to the next season.

*ECPDA Ex-Chairs'/Chairs' Caucus*

The retired and current Chairs of ECPDA have maintained a routine of regular meetings since the transition to Emeritus Dr Kibaru from Emeritus Mwathane. This platform meets twice annually, or when there's compelling need.

The platform helps to:
1. Provide moments for peer-sharing and reflections on matters ECPDA
2. Social bonding among the Chairs
3. Pass on historical memory on ECPDA in relaxed circumstances
4. Provide advisory, or any other support, to the sitting Chairman as may be desirable/prompted

The Caucus held a warm session at Thika Sports Club earlier today to welcome Chairman Dickmoline Mugushu, and also reflect upon ECPDA's journey, milestones and challenges to date.

Below are images from the session👇