Why Kabarak keeps bagging the trophies

By LEONARD KULEI

Nakuru, Kenya: From well-trimmed trees to beautifully woven boulevards, Moi High School-Kabarak offers one of the best learning environments for students seeking to excel in their secondary education.

Situated in the vast Kabarak community, the school’s compound is quite amiable and students can be seen walking hurriedly on the pavements.

While most students use the expansive library at the extreme for their private studies, others, especially those holding groups discussions, prefer the canopy provided by the well-pruned trees.

At the chief principal’s office, the rows of glittering trophies the school has won over the years is a sight to behold. The school was ranked second nationally in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with a mean index of 79.862, the highest since its inception.

“This is the best we have ever attained. Last year’s group did us real proud. We are humbled before God. We are going for more this year,” says Henry Kiplagat, the chief principal, as he ushered us into his office.

Kiplagat, who has been decorated over the years for the school’s outstanding performance, cuts an image of an astute leader and dependable role model.  His well-cut grey suit, dark glasses and well-trimmed hair does not betray the enormous of ensuring the school remains at the top that carries on his shoulders.

Apart from being the best private school overall in the KCSE results released on Monday by Education Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi, the school also produced the best girl in the country, Angela Kivuva Nzisa, who scored 86.983 points.

This was just another feather in the cap of a school that has consistently posted impressive results in the exam over the years.

Biblical teachings

The institution that was founded by Kenya’s second president, Daniel Arap Moi, prides itself on being among the few secondary schools in the country that inculcates Biblical teachings in academic work.

Kiplagat said learners at the school observe strict Christian values that sets them apart from their peers in other schools.

“Students attend morning devotions every Wednesday to Friday for an hour. We also have a school pastoral programme, guiding and counselling sessions and Christian Union programme,” says the Chief Principal.

To ensure the school lives up to its billing, it has a full time chaplain who alongside preaching also conducts baptismal services for students annually. The school has a baptism programme which takes place in October every year.

“We baptised 300 students last year. We are looking forward to having more this year. This is an annual event which is part of the school programme but we only baptise a student after getting the consent from their parents,” said Kiplagat.

With a population of 1250 students, the management of the school is never an easy task. The institution is run by a vibrant School Management Board chaired by Daniel Arap Moi himself.

The school has four major departments headed by senior teachers which include quality assurance, curriculum development, boarding and guiding and counselling.

Kiplagat said a teacher is usually made to repeat a topic if more than half a class attains below 40 per cent in an assessment.