MM Kenya Education Policy Moving Mountains Kenya requests that all sponsors read and understand the principles by which we operate, and that they and their parents or guardians agree to the conditions. Grades and Levels for Sponsorship The minimum mark for the annual continuation of sponsorship at Primary School level is 300. The minimum marks for sponsorship of a Secondary school student are 350 at KCPE. The minimum mark for a student to be sponsored through College is C- at KCSE. The minimum mark for a student to be sponsored through University is B at KCSE, and positions for parallel University places are not considered. Students falling below the levels mentioned above during any one term will be put on one terms notice for the suspension of sponsorship. A follow-up will be done by our in-house counselling team regarding behaviour, local environment and situation, and above all attitude towards school. We reserve the right to cancel any sponsorship programme if the Executive Committee votes in such a way, following a clear and transparent process of investigation and follow-up. We will always recommend Government Schools above private schools and Government recognised Colleges for any sponsorship programme. Any MM staff interested in joining college for further studies and development must put in an application and an interview is done for the course to be accepted and an agreement made in relation to the sponsorship. Students Responsibilities Opening and closing days of schools should be punctually observed and attendance in school is mandatory, and absenteeism is not acceptable. Discipline in and out of school is necessary, good behaviour is mandatory. Report forms should be handed to the office at the end of every term for discussion and filing. Drug abuse is not acceptable and will lead to expulsion from the sponsorship programme. Holiday tuitions, school trips and excursions should be attended and without absenteeism. Pocket money and bus fare should be receipted, spent wisely and properly. College courses must be completed in full. Exams must be attended and the results forwarded to the office. Parents or Guardians Responsibilities Breakage and loss of books or equipment are the guardian and parent’s responsibility Visiting days and education clinics must be attended by parents and/or guardians Medical cases should be directed to Government hospitals and clinics, not private hospitals If a child drops out of school, the total amount of fees paid for that term will be paid back to the charity Moving Mountains Responsibilities To pay for the school fees on time by cheque and to maintain a file on each beneficiary detailing all financial payments made, report cards, notes from meetings or counselling sessions and any other relevant information which is freely available for viewing by the child’s parent or guardian. Help with obtaining or providing attachments where possible. Make random checks on students during term time and provide a strong and caring environment of support for everyone.
Why do we Provide Educational Support? Reasons
Financial poverty – no money for fees Emotional poverty – no love or support at home, no community support Resource poverty – no books or uniforms, far from school
Role
To provide money for fees, books and uniforms To provide emotional support and counselling to child To provide support to family and sense of responsibility to the child Advice and counselling about prejudice, future aims, self-respect Inspire the children to aim high and have big dreams by being a role model Encourage interaction between visitors and beneficiaries to promote the idea of ‘you can do anything you wish’
Ethos
We don’t just give money for fees We provide a family support structure which encourages all members We provide continual support throughout education, as long as the child maintains a level of performance and the parents maintain a level of interest
What Environment do we provide? Reasons
Lack of resources in school – for example books, equipment Lack of encouragement and discipline at home Lack of positive peer to peer environment for self-improvement Lack of interest among the teachers
Role
To be an addition to the childs life – trusted and respected To be an addition to the family – there for advice and support
To be a supplement to schools – helping to provide a better environment To be an encouraging influence on teachers
Ethos
We don’t just give money for school fees We work with selected schools to help them develop their environment and improve teacher morale We try to provide morale boosting events for teachers if possible We work with the authorities, the local committees and the teachers and parents to help improve the environment in a fair and clear way We look at assisting the Kenyan Govt in achieving its aims for education in any one area We work with the family to help teach values which are positive, and will help develop the child to aim high and dream big, as well as encourage the family to see their child as an asset and not a burden, and challenge prejudice
How do we vet and monitor and channel a child in the right way? Reasons
It is very expensive to maintain school fees throughout ten or more years Children show different talents and interests Some parents and communities are more supportive than others Any support must not discriminate, but be realistic to the needs and abilities of the child Private schooling is too expensive, and Govt high schools are good but teacher morale can be low in primary schools
Role
To provide a careful professional vetting procedure for all children To work with fewer children but in a better more structured and holistic way To monitor continually – not only academic performance but also emotional stability, family interest, teacher morale, school resources, child interests
To allow the child to develop in his or her own way and provide advice for the best direction in school and in life. This may be academic or vocational or neither.
How do we provide morale? Reasons
Teachers often on low salaries, large classes, lots of stress, little encouragement and no much career training
Role
To take an interest in the teachers and the schools and be a supplementary ‘figure’ in the school environment To provide annual holidays for the teachers, maybe a weekend safari To help provide additional school resources through the visitors and students To develop a special relationship with each school we work with so that the teachers see MM as a source of inspiration and help
Ethos
MM is more than just a charity providing money for fees, it is an organisation that looks at the whole picture of education – schools, teachers, families, communities and authorities. MM is a welfare organisation that acts in harmony with the schools so that we take into consideration the welfare of the staff, as well as the welfare of the children and their families. In some sense we are a bridge between child and family and school and community, a ‘glue’ that acts for everyone and on behalf of the rights of the child.