Local news - 17.3.14 - By Mary Tioko - Catholic presence and Identity to be Promoted and Preserved in Catholic Sponsored Schools , Says Bishop.

The principals of the six secondary schools sponsored by the catholic Diocese of Lodwar have been informed to maintain the catholic identity in their various schools and uphold moral values of the Catholic Church. Addressing the Principals of the six schools today at Bethany Guest house Lodwar, the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar Bishop Dominic Kimengich said that catholic presence and identity has to be distinct in all the catholic Sponsored schools within Turkana County. Accompanying bishop in the meeting was the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar Education Secretary Fr. Ekai Linus Evans informed the principals present to adhere by the Catholic ethos and values in their respective schools by practically posting sign posts bearing the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar identity. The Principals present were from Turkana Girls secondary school, Lodwar High school, St. Kevins Secondary, Kakuma Boys Secondary, Katilu secondary and Our lady's Girls Secondary schools. The principals streamlined how they would improve the performances in their respective Schools and above all promote integral human development of the studens in-order to fit well in the society after their form four education. His lordship emphasized the need to pray together as one family in the individual schools to promote love and unity. He also said that he will appoint the schools chaplain soon who will take care of pastoral activities of the students in these schools thus promoting solidarity. He mentioned that good discipline results into good performance and encouraged the principal s present to keep up to the high standards of quality education. He thanked them for the good academic performance that were posted by the schools last year and urged them to work extra hard to improve the same this year. He encouraged them to share their challenges and spell out their expectations in the different schools. Present in the meeting were coordinators from the secretariat from Nurseries department, Adult Education Department and officer of Tullow scholarships program of the diocese who informed the principals to raise awareness on the requirements of these scholarships and encourage students to apply following the right channels of District Advisory committees. Bishop Kimengich also encouraged the principals to be aggressive in writing proposals to different donors to help fund projects in their individual schools.