Tracing the Historical Development of Chwele Girls’ High School under the Friends African Mission – (1902–1988)

Abstract

This study sought to trace the historical development of Chwele Girls' High School under the Friends African Mission. The study was inspired by the urgent need to bridge the gap in knowledge regarding Friends African Mission's influence on education in Western Kenya. The study sought to achieve the following objective: to trace the historical development of Lugulu and Chwele Girls’ High School under the Friends African Mission. The study was carried out within the context of modernization theory. The target population of participants drawn from Chwele girls' secondary school and the neighborhood, included former and current school administrators, teachers, students, local community leaders, and education officials. The sample size of 43 participants was employed with the purposive sampling technique utilized to identify the key informants. The study used historical methods of research as its research design. The main sources of data in the study were primary and secondary. Primary sources included historical documents found in Kenya National Archives, such as official school records, official and private correspondence, and minutes of annual church meetings. Written sources and oral testimonies were also used as primary evidence for the study. Different categories of informants were identified using the snowball technique and subsequently interviewed. Their testimonies were critical in either reporting or corroborating evidence from archival sources. After the details had been checked and confirmed, it was acknowledged as empirical proof for the analysis. This proof was then qualitatively examined. This coincided with creating a coding scheme in which those topics covered by the said proof were described. The study unearthed several findings when considered in light of its objective and theoretical framework. The Friends African Mission played an important role in the Historical development of Chwele Girls’ High School in Bungoma County. The study has revealed that the school has transformed the lives of girls and women in the community and in Kenya at large. In conclusion, the study recommended that the government should provide scholarships to needy girls and allow those who become pregnant to go back to school after delivery to ensure their safety and security. The alumni of Chwele Girls' High School should take an active role in the management of the school to improve its performance. The old girls should go out of their way to support and nurture young girls at these institutions.