Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna secondary schools

Abstract

This paper examines the management of secondary schools run by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna in Kenya. It begins with a brief history of the Congregation from its foundation in Oudenbosch to the time its mission began in Kenya. The guiding principle for Franciscan Sisters of St Anna schools is the Charism and sound traditions of the Congregation. The fostering of quality education and good administration of these schools have helped to inculcate good morals in the learners through Catholic teachings. Many of the schools were founded for the girl child, the vulnerable and the less fortunate in the society, thus echoing the mission of the Sisters; voice to the voiceless. The Sisters work hand-in-hand with Dutch and Kenyan governments to see the schools grow. The schools have a long-standing history of discipline and good morals. The paper highlights the sources of funds for the schools which include Government of Kenya, the Congregation through donors, and the parents. In the management of these schools, the principals see to it that there is; proper management of funds, professional development and motivation of staff for improved performance in learners. Finally, the paper discusses some challenges faced by the school administrators and how to overcome them.

Keywords:

• FSSA schools
• education
• management
• discipline and finance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Mother Marie Joseph of Jesus was foundress of FSSA Sisters. She was named ‘Joseph of Jesus' because she had a special devotion to St. Joseph and Jesus.

2 They were under the authority of the local Bishop of Breda in the Netherlands.

3 Pontifical Status means that the congregation is directly under the authority of the Holy See – The Pope.

4 J.A. Opondo FSSA, The Mission and The Roots, 8 (2016).

5 J.A. Opondo FSSA, The Mission and The Roots, 17 (2016).

6 Pius XII, Encyclical Letter ‘Fidei Donum' – On the present condition of the Catholic Missions, especially in Africa (April 21, 1957).

7 J.A. Opondo FSSA, The Mission and The Roots, 49 (2016). A mother house is the first community house to be established by the sisters in Kenya. It is the community house where all the sisters get their formation to become religious.

8 J.A. Opondo FSSA, The Mission and The Roots, 53 (2016).

9 Interview with the Principal, on 28th November, 2019 at Nyamonye Girls’ Sec. School, Siaya County.

10 From The FSSA Archives. This is a private archive for the FSSA that contains documents dealing with the history of the congregation, FSSA schools, Hospitals, photographs (buildings, vehicles, title deeds, the first sister students, etc.), maps, letters, pamphlets, and the first utensils used by the first communities.

11 J.A. Okumbe, ‘Educational Management Theory and Practice', 1998.

12 R. Grossnickle – P. Sesko Preventive Discipline for Effective Teaching and Learning.

13 The Basic Education Act 2013 (Government of Kenya, 2013).

14 The Kenya Episcopal Conference, Policy Document for Catholic Education in Kenya 2000.

15 The Catholic Schools Principals Conference held in August 2018 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa-Kenya.

16 The Basic Education Act 2013 (Government of Kenya, 2013).

17 A student Baraza is a termly meeting of students with the Principal of the school where the students raise concerns and issues that concern them in a free atmosphere from victimization and they get feedback there and then and issues are acted upon.

18 The Basic Education Act 2013 (Government of Kenya, 2013).

19 An interview with the Principal, on 27th November 2019 at Lwak Girls’ High School, Siaya County.

20 Kenya Public Officer Ethics Act 2003 (Kenya Law Report, 2003).

21 Kenya Education Act 2013.

22 Kenya Basic Education Regulation 2015 (Republic of Kenya, 2015).

23 FSSA 20^th General Chapter Act, 2018.

24 From the FSSA Archives.

25 Education Act No. 5 of 1968, where mission schools had two options of either being handed to the government to manage them or for the sponsors to maintain them including paying teachers’ salaries.

26 An interview with the Principal, on 27^th November 2019 at Lwak Girls’ High School, Siaya County.

27 The National Education Sector Plan 2013.

28 An interview with the Principal, on 27^th November 2019 at Lwak Girls’ High School, Siaya County.

29 An interview with the Principal, on 27^th November 2019 at Lwak Girls’ High School, Siaya County.

30 Phone interview with Sister in charge of Liturgy at Lwak Girls’ High School, on 22nd November 2019.

31 An interview with the Principal, on 27th November 2019 at Lwak Girls’ High School, Siaya County.

32 An interview with the Superior General of FSSA, at Lwak Convent on 11th December 2019.

33 Interview with both Principals on 6th December 2019 at Lwak convent.

34 This is in line with the Charism of the congregation.

35 An interview with the principal of St. Augustine Nyamonye Girls Secondary school on 28th November 2019 at Nyamonye Girls.

36 www.yourdictionary.com

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sister Colleta Aluoch

Sister Colleta Aluoch belongs to the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St Anna. She is a senior teacher, currently teaching in one of FSSA schools. She is interested in girl child education, and specially slow learners who she often assists to realise their potentials. Colleta is scientist having background in Biology and Mathematics. She pursuing a Master’s degree in education.