Kipsigis Teachers Sacco newsletter 2011

MEMBER NEWSLETTER OF THE KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO SOCIETY LTD OCTOBER 2011

KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLETTER PAGE 2

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Diaspora Membership

and Growth

Since our last Newsletter, many important

and positive things have happened in our

sacco, not least, the growth of our member-

ship by 823 as by the close of business on

December 31, last year.

This record achievement was made possible

by aggressive marketing, increased publicity,

and introduction of new, relevant products as

well as by the widening of our common

bond. In deed, opening of our common bond

has had significant, if sometimes unexpected

results.

One of them is that the sacco has attracted a

large number of members from around the

country. But what was unexpected was a

membership from Kenyans in diaspora. The

membership has not only boosted our num-

bers and income, it has made Kipsigis Teach-

ers Sacco Society to stand out as a national

financial institution ready to play its role in

the development of the larger Kipsigis area.

You are aware that billions of shillings are

brought into Kenya by Kenyans working and

living abroad. The Kenya government is

working hard to develop investment packages

that can attract even more of these diaspora

Kenyans to invest more in the country. But

the burning question has been: Through

which channel will they bring in their

money?

Such channels must be smaller, rural institu-

tions that offer per-

sonalized services.

They must be insti-

tutions which,

while remaining

sophisticated, mod-

ern and relevant,

do not intimidate

and frighten the

rural folk. They

must also offer

cheaper financial services so that customers

can retain much of their money.

In this respect, nothing beats saccos. And in

deed, saccos are being considered as the po-

tential official channel of the transmission of

such funds. Of course, that will be for the

sacco that is well managed, fully capitalized,

secure and trustworthy. Now that we have

diaspora members, we can say we have a big

vote of confidence. But we must continue to

strive to improve. Our goal should be to be-

come the most significant source of financial

services in Kipsigis.

As you are aware, Kipsigis Teachers Sacco

Society is fully Sasra compliant. It means

more secure, better banking for our members.

Let me end by urging you, as I did during our

members Information Days (March 12 -14,

2011), to take advantage of the opening of

our common bond to bring in more members.

I have no doubt that with the continued sup-

port of our members, we can increase our

investment as a result of our social impact.

Mathew Ruto

Chairman


The Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Newsletter is

fast becoming an important channel of com-

munication between the management and the

members of the sacco. Without communica-

tion, it is impossible to know what‘s happen-

ing in the Sacco as well as to participate and

to take advantage of the many products and

services that are regularly introduced.

One new product is the laptop computer pro-

ject being carried out in collaboration with

Safaricom Limited. The purpose of the pro-

ject is to help members to acquire laptops at

extremely low prices. As you are aware, the

computer is fast becoming the greatest pos-

session you can have. With it you can easily

perform many basic functions like typing and

storing your files. And you can open and read

these files anywhere you want even on a sa-

fari.

But more importantly, with your laptop com-

puter you can literally open to the world

through human beings greatest invention, the

internet. With the internet, the world is in

front of you, you can receive information and

you can send information. You can access the

saccos website, www.kipsacco.co.ke and

save yourself time, money and possible frus-

tration by accessing some of the sacco ser-

vices online, right in the comfort of your

house or wherever else you prefer to go.

MESSAGE FROM CEO

The laptops that the

sacco is offering are

HP Compaq along with

an HP printer and a Sa-

faricom modem with

free 40 MB data

download. You will

read more about this

elsewhere inside this

Newsletter, but allow

me to mention here that the laptops are avail-

able to all our members and you can acquire

yours with the sacco‘s usual low interest

loans. Of course, if you are interested in get-

ting your computer, you can talk to the sacco

staff in any of our branches.

In this line, I may also mention Inua Loan

which is a new product. This loan is fives

times the amount of investment deposits you

have. But you must have your salary paid

through the Fosa because deductions are

made through a standing order.

In conclusion, may I again appeal to you to

participate in the production of this Newslet-

ter by contributing articles and ideas.

Kipruto Sigey, HSC

Chief Executive Officer

Acquire Computer

Skills with Your Sacco

http://www.kipsacco.co.ke


SPEECH BY THE CHAIRMAN - KIPSIGIS

TEACHERS SACCO SOCIETY LTD. DURING

MEMBERS' INFORMATION DAYS FROM

MARCH TO 14th, APRIL 2011

It is my great pleasure to warmly welcome you all to

our Divisional Education and Information day.

Let me also sincerely thank you for attending this im-

portant meeting and wish you a happy and prosperous

year of 201 1.

Attending such a forum or meeting is of great impor-

tance since we shall share ideas and our input shall be

incorporated into the Society's operations.

May I present to you our Society's report for the year

ended 31st December, 2010 under the following head-

ings:

MEMBERSHIP: In the year 2010, we managed to recruit 823 new mem-

bers. Currently our membership stands at 16824.

The good work of our SACCO and the opening of the

common bond has attracted members from across the

borders of Kenya and now we are proud to report that

we have members among Kenyans in the diaspora. It

is also important to note that under SASRA Regula-

tions, all customers enjoying the various services of-

fered by the Society must be members.

May I also urge you to bring in more members since

we have opened our Common Bond.

SHARE CAPITAL By the end of the year, our Share Capital rose from

Ksh.42,155,875/= to Ksh. 160,000,000/= due to Ksh.

10,000/= deducted from every member to build share

capital as per the SASRA requirements.

MEMBERS' DEPOSIT

By the end of the year, Members' Deposit rose from

Ksh, 1 ,795,459,520/= to Ksh. 1 ,885,092, 169.38

marking a rise of

Ksh. 89, 632, 649-38 which represent 5%.

Our highest single contributor is Ksh.3,016,085/ =

LOANS TO MEMBERS: During the year in review, we managed to give loans to

members to the tune of Ksh.l,592,359,311;= compared

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT


to Ksh. 1,348,743,3907= in the year 2009 while loans

outstanding as at 31st December,2010 stands at

Ksh.2,282,747,074.85

Loan dispersed from the Society since inception is to

the tune of Ksh 13,640,289,818/= our highest single

loanee has Ksh.3,000,000/=.

I am happy to report that the society faces no loan

backlog. Though the demand for loans still exceeds the

available funds. I appeal to our members to be good

savers to enable us mobilize and utilize our own Sav-

ings.

It is unfortunate that the Teachers Service Commission

at times delay deductions or recovery of loans granted

to members even after several reminders. In order to

minimize the adverse effect of this on our members and

operations, we wish to call upon any member who may

fall victim to these loans to co-operate by paying cash

to the SACCO or by standing order in FOSA accounts

until the Teachers Service Commission effects the loan

deduction.

This will enhance our SASRA Compliance.

CREDIT REFERENCE BUREAU Deliberate loan defaulters are now informed that their

days are numbered as all lending institutions are set to

interlink with a view to sharing information on borrow-

ers resulting in blacklisting of defaulters. Such de-

faulters will henceforth be denied credit from all lend-

ing houses until they clear their defaulted loan.

BOSA PRODUCTS: Due to the introduction of the introductory loans to

new members, and its implementation in full, New

members are currently enjoying and appreciating the

same.

We extend the same to the newly employed teachers

under contract to come for the same.

The Board of Directors have also introduced the Instant

Loan which is pocket friendly:- which when one quali-

fies for, shall be granted the same day but will attract a

higher interest rate of 1.25%.

FOSA PRODUCTS Since its inception, our FOSA has been doing quite

well and giving good services to our members.

Services offered in this FOSA are equivalent of any

commercial Bank and are even better.

From the FOSA we get the following services:-

> Salaries channeled through it.

> Cashing of cheques.

> Fixed deposits with good interest rates.

> Parrot Account( for our children)

> ATM Services.

> Advances (with affordable interest rates).

> Processing of Farm Proceeds

> Bankers cheques (to schools for our children).


> Inua loan -best selling latest product.

I urge our members to patronize our FOSA by:-

> Channeling their salaries through it.

> Contributing well towards FOSA investment depos-

its.

Our SACCO looks forward to making our FOSA

stronger with good financial liquidity base. Our target

is to reach over Ksh.300million (Kenya shillings three

hundred million only) as FOSA Investment Deposits to

cushion our members financially during hard times.

FOSA DEPOSITS: Members have Deposited to the tune of

Ksh416,235,344/= as at 28th February, 2011.

As at this date 28th February, 2011, our FOSA invest-

ment deposits stood at Ksh.72,643,165/=(Kenya shil-

lings seventy two thousand six hundred and forty three

thousand one hundred and sixty five only)

INUA LAON Currently the Society has launched a product popularly

known as INUA Loan.

Inua Loan is given five times the FOSA investment

Deposits of a member who has the salary channeled

through FOSA and the deduction done through Stand-

ing Order. So far the Society has loaned

Kshl3,866,000/= to 213 applicants with effect from 1st

January, 2011.

WELFARE FUND

lam proud to announce that Co-operative Insurance

Company has insured the loans of deceased members

and also doubled the shares of the same. Effective

January,2011, all deceased families are consoled during

or before funeral with a cash donation of Ksh.20,000/=

(Kenya shillings, Twenty thousand only). This is only

given to the family of those who are our members on

production of the burial permit.

KAPKATET CO-OP HOUSE The sale of the Co-operative House is at an advanced

stage. The Board of Directors are only waiting for the

sale payment. Otherwise the building is currently

rented by Kabianga University College who are the

potential buyers.

PROVISION OF LAPTOPS TO ESTEEMED

MEMBERS The Society along with Safaricom Limited brings you

affordable. LAPTOPS at unbeatable prices and offers.

HP Compaq along with HP Printer and Safaricom

Modem 40MB data. The intention of the Board is to avail Laptops, espe-

cially to our members who are at the moment pursuing

further studies.

The members can purchase the same in form of a loan

as usual. For further information, see our personnel at

the Headquarters (Kericho) and in any of our Society's

Branches (Bomet and Bureti). It is the intention of the

Board, that all our Members become Information Tech-


nology compliant and through this service, the Society

can assist you acquires one.

SACCO SOCIETIES REGULATORY AUTHOR-

ITY (SASRA)

The Government through the Ministry of Co-operative

Development and Marketing established a body called

SASRA. The work of SASRA is to regulate Deposit-

Taking SACCOs like our just like the way central bank

regulates Commercial Banks.

From this new regulation, we are expected to maintain

the folio wing:-

a) Core Capital of not less than 10% of total assets;

b) Institutional capital of not less than 8% of total as-

sets;

c) Core capital of not less than 8% of total deposits. As

you are aware our Society has an asset base of 3.6 bil-

lion and Deposits of over 2billion. These two are de-

nominators which are expected to drive core capital

and institutional capital.

The deposits you currently hold with the Society, for

the purposes of this regulation is classified as non with-

drawable deposits and not capital (shares). This is be-

cause they are refundable to you on cessation of mem-

bership.

We have been given a period of 4 years to comply with

the SASRA regulations but each year has its own tar-

gets. As demanded by the situation, we intend to build

on core and Institutional Capital through the following

means:

a) Retaining part of surplus of 2010;

b) Capitalizing part of your Deposits. Each member is

to have Ksh. 10,000.00 of his or her deposits capital-

ized (but will earn dividends). On cessation of mem-

bership, this will not be refundable but can be trans-

ferred to another member.

We are also to provide provision of Bad debts (loan

loss) of 1% of total loans. This has resulted in expens-

ing of Ksh.40,000,000.00 to cater for the same.

Consequent upon retention of the surplus, \ve expect

the interest and dividend rates to come down.

This should not be mistaken to mean poor performance

by our Society. Infact the total surplus before payment

of interest and dividends is Ksh.245,227,774.00 which

is the highest in our history. In 2009, the figure was

Ksh.186,751,314.00.

From last year's earnings, we have retained

Ksh.25,911,990.00 as institutional capital.

Laws and Government regulation is an external factor

beyond our control. So the best thing to do is to swim

along with the currents by adapting to the unfolding

changes in the legal environment.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR SOCIETY 1. The Launch of the ATM in our Society.

2. Operations in the Society on Saturdays effective 1st

January,2011 for half day.

3. The Society Offices, both FOSA and BOSA remains

open during lunch hour.

4. Introduction of premium loan-loan repayment for

sixty months.

5. Trophies awarded to highest savers shareholders in

BOSA and PARROT Account holders. Highest savers

in FOSA Investment Deposits would also be awarded

in future.

6. Members who were contributing Ksh.8,000/=

(Kenya shillings Eight thousand only) for the purchase

of the Co-op. House shares have completed the pay-

ment.

7. Opening hours in FOSA adjusted to 8.30am and

closing at 4.00pm.

8. Buy back scheme i.e. to rescue our members from

Commercial Banks.

CHALLENGES:

Despite our Society being one of the leading SACCO

in the Country, we are faced by some challenges:-

1. High demand for loans

2. Stiff competitions from other commercial banks

3. Up-coming village banks

4. New Laws and Legislation i.e. SASRA implementa-

tion

5. Delayed remittance by certain employers

CONCLUSION Finally may I thank you all for attending this very im-

portant meeting and the support you accord us during

all seasons. We hope the same spirit would prevail for

the betterment and improvement of the services offered

in our Society.

Many thanks in advance.

Mathew Ruto

CHAIRMAN


'X STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31.12.2010 31.12.2010 31.12.2009 NOTES Kshs. Kshs. ASSETS Current assets

Cash and Bank Balances Sch "A" 341,823,002 466,006,921 Prepayments & Sundry Receivable SCH H 501,864,763 427,558,746 Stock of stationery 168,087 387,539 Loans to Members (SCH B)NET 2,295,951,549 1,967,560,177 Electricity deposits 1,096,333 1,096,333 Fosa advances Sch "C"(NET) 106,551,528 70,402,728 Savings in other institutions (SCH E) 141,038.508 TOTAL 3,388,493,770 2,933.012,444 FIXED ASSETS

KEBO Investment 55,707,887 198,330,700 Investments Sch " D" 115,635,674 84,935,650 Property, Plant & Equipment (Sch H) 20,436,968 19,645,561 TOTAL 191.780.529______ 302.911,911 TOTAL ASSETS 3.580.274,299 3.235.924,355 LIABILITIES

Members deposits 1,937,393,321 1,806,415,395 Members withdrawable Savings Deposits Sch"F" 481,429,511 391,376,586 Sundry fosa provisions - 1,169,717 Provision for income tax 101,086 247,097 Honorarium 200,000 200,000 Provision for Dividend to member 5 % pro-rata 8,412,000 3,216,000 Provision for Interest on deposits 9.5% pro-rata 184,052,367 181,853,915 Provision for bad debts - 2,250,000 Provision for Dividend due to KEBO - 2,167,999 Unclaimed coop house dividend - 794,943 Audit and supervision 99,200 189,200 External loans SCH G) 721,302.241____ 651,415,302 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,332,989,726___3,041,296,154 SHARE HOLDERS FUNDS

Fully paid shares 168,240,000 42,155,875 Entrance fee _ 1,714,040 COOP House shares . - 106,418,019 COOP House Entrance fee - 344,605 Statutory Reserve 23,412,270 15,015,120 General Reserves 4,475,342 4,475.342 Institutional Capital 50,500,000 24,500,000 Appropriation Account 656,960 5,200 Total share holders funds 247,284,573 194,628,201 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHARE HOLDERS FUNDS 3,580,274,299 3,235,924,355

These accounts were presented and approved by the Board of Directors


The Kipsigis Teachers Sacco Society wish to reach

all its customers with information on the products

and services at their disposal for them to enjoy full

facilities. This is what led to the establishment of the

Marketing Department.

The main focus will therefore be building strong cus-

tomer relations through employing ways that ensure

customer retention due to satisfaction.

Doing things right and consistently is a sure way to

success.

How You Can Get Involved

We appreciate and encourage our members to give

feedback (complaints and compliments). New sug-

gestions on designing new products will be helpful in

order to build a competitive edge in this error of stiff

competition in the financial sector.

The award of the certificate of deposit taking to the

society by SASRA is a giant step which our mem-

bers should be proud of and seek to benefit from this

privilege and all that comes with it. The future is

bright for all with our unity and commitment to

strive together.

I welcome all who have not joined our society to

visit any of our branches for more information,

KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO SOCIETY

Kipsigis Teachers SACCO Society was registered as

a Savings and Credit Co-operative Society on 8th

May, 1978. The current active membership stands at

16324, drawn from teachers of primary and Secon-

dary schools mostly from southern Rift-valley, but

has expanded countrywide due to the opened bond

which include all salaried employees from govern-

ment ministries, private institutions, tutors and lec-

turers, KNUT and registered institutions.

Vision

―To be a leading financially sound Sacco society in

Kenya in the provision of excellent diversified ser-

vices‖

MARKETING REPORT

Why Do We Need to Market Sacco Products?


Mission

―To mobilize savings and deposits, and provide af-

fordable credits and other diversified excellent finan-

cial products and services through efficient proc-

esses, prudent management and highly motivated

staff for the satisfaction of the members and other

stakeholders‖

Core values

We are one

Integrity

Social responsibility

Efficiency and Effectiveness

Our customer first

Optimum performance

Transparency/Accountability

We strive for excellence

Patience, Humility, Honesty and Truthfulness

Motto

‗Unity is strength

Slogan

‗Save habitually,

Borrow wisely,

Repay promptly‘

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

FOSA

Short term Advances 1 month

Long term advances 6 months

Inua Loan 24 months

Parrot accounts children‘s account

Fixed Deposit account

Savings account

Other FOSA Services

Standing Order

Bankers Cheques

SMS Alerts

M-pesa services / M-banking

ATM Services

BOSA

Development loan- paid within a week

School/college Fees-paid within a day

Emergency loan-within a day

Re-Finance loan-within a month

Premium loan

Kionjo loan –introductory to new members

Instant loan –in the pipeline

Recognition of best savers

3. Micro-credit services

Pamoja loan (savings Based micro-credit)

Women enterprises fund programme

Coffee Development Fund (intermediary)

AWARDS

Head of State Commendation, (HSC), awarded

by the President, H.E Mwai Kibaki to the CEO,

Paul Sigei and to the former Chairman, Joseph

Koech

13th May 2011 –Received the SASRA license

KUSCCO Ltd; (CFC) - Highest saver 2010

-Second highest share holder overall 2010

Co-operative Bank -Highest shareholder Rift-

valley region 2010

-Highest deposits-Rift-valley region

CIC -Highest share purchase 2010

-Best insured cooperative society 2010

KRA-2007-Distinguished Tax Payer Rift-valley

region

Kericho District -1st position Highest Average

savings 2010

-2nd position Best Loan Service to members

2010


BY MATHEW ROTICH Currently our FOSA section has three out-

lets where customers can access our ser-

vices. These outlets are:- Kericho

Bomet

Bureti (Kapkatet)

We have over 20,000 Account holders. We

were among the first to be licensed by SAC-

COs Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA). The regulation is aimed at im-

proving financial conditions and soundness

of SACCO Societies thereby protecting members deposits enhance their confi-

dence and thus increasing Savings. SASRA

will go along way in promoting transpar-ency and integrity in the Co-operative

movement. This means that the future of

SACCOs is bright given the fact that they

will be able to operate from the same flat form. Professional financial management

will be injected to the sector.

FOSA SERVICES

Savings Account with no ledger fee

Fixed Deposit Account with competi-tive interest rates.

Parrot Accounts to teach Children to

save during their formative ages. Salary processing.

Processing of farm products such as

tea proceeds, milk proceed, Pyre-

thrum, Coffee proceeds etc. Loan and Advances

Short term advance which run for one (1) month.

Long-term advances which runs for

six (6) months. Inua loan recoverable in 24months.

Cheques clearance through Co-

operative Bank. Sale of Bankers cheques.

ATM Services.

M-Banking.

In the offing is Point of Sales (P.O.S) which will enable us to serve our members in ru-

ral areas without investing in infrastruc-

ture. P.O.S allows cash deposits, cash withdrawals and payments of Bills.

FOSA REPORT

More Products to be Introduced Soon


FOSA STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31.12.2010

31.12.2010

31.12.2009

INCOME NOTES

KSHS

KSHS

Interest Income 15(a)

109,153,812.00

92,106,840.00

Commissions 15(b)

45,262,056.00

8,985,033.00

Cash Variance sen k

54,409.00

0.00

Other fosa income 1 5©

204,800.00

10,375,838.00

TOTAL INCOME

154,675,077.00

111,467,711.00

LESS

INTEREST ON MEMBERS SAVINGS PAID 5

3,195,235.00

0.00

GROSS INCOME

151,479,842.00

111,467,711.00

EXPENDITURE

Staffexpenses 13(a)

21,349,195.00

18,855,,443.00

Committee expenses 1 3(b)

5,969,360.00

6,288,678.00

Financial expenses 1 3©

44,222,705.00

36,668,936.00

Administrative expenses 1 3(d)

12,283,561.00

8,102,691.00

TOTAL EXPENDETURE NET PROFFIT

83,824,821.00

69,915,748.00

67,655,021.00

41,551,963.00


By Nancy Ngetich

As technology has advanced, the duties of the office

assistant have changed.

Administrative assistants are responsible for a vari-

ety of administrative and clerical duties necessary to

run an organization efficiently. They serve as infor-

mation and communication managers for an office;

plan and schedule meetings and appointments; or-

ganize and maintain paper and electronic files; man-

age projects; conduct research; and disseminate in-

formation by using the telephone, mail services, Web

sites, and e-mail. They also may handle travel and

guest arrangements.‖ But any administrative assis-

tants worth their salt will tell you this barely

scratches the surface of everything they do.

The good administrative assistant knows how the

office functions. While all offices look the same on

the surface, each office is different, often influenced

by the industry it serves. Some have a more casual

chain of command, some are very formal.

In the office, the experienced administrative assis-

tant knows, for instance, which faxes are important

and which are trash; what mail can be safely dis-

carded; which e-mails must be forwarded to the boss,

and which he or she can deal with. The administra-

tive assistant also deals with the public in many of-

fices, and is a source of general information. He or

she will also probably be responsible, at least in part,

in training new office staff. She has to know how to

work with a variety of office equipment such as com-

puters, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, video

conferencing and telephone systems and so on.

Administrative assistants serve as information and

communication managers for an office, plan and

schedule meetings and appointments, organize and

Technology Brings New Demands

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE REPORT

maintain paper

and electronic

files and dis-

seminate in-

formation by

using the tele-

phone, mail ser-

vices, web sites,

and e-mail.

They also han-

dle travel and

guest arrange-

ments.

An administrative assistant uses a variety of office

equipment, such as fax machines, photocopiers,

scanners, video Knowledge of technology enable an

administrative assistant to handle complex tasks,

many of which used to be handled by managers and

professionals such as creating spreadsheets, compos-

ing correspondence, managing databases, and creat-

ing presentations, reports, and documents using

desktop publishing software and digital graphics.

It is for this reason that at Kipsigis Teachers Sacco

Society, administrative assistants section works in

teams. That way, they can be flexible and can share

expertise.

For the society, the administrative assistant is re-

sponsible for handling most of the communications

between board members, staff members, clients,

stakeholders and the community.

As such, the administrative assistant maintains de-

tails and contact information such as postal addresses

and telephone contacts of everyone dealing with the

sacco. The CEO's calendar is also maintained by this

office to help set priorities for the day.

Thus with the introduction of technology, more skills

are required for effective performance, not least of

them being organizational and communication

skills.


Be a Better Teacher and Avoid Bad

Instructional Practices

THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Information about what to do to help students learn is common. Teach-

ers must know what not to do, as well. Negative attitudes and practices

are widespread.

Teaching is hard work and so is being a successful stu-

dent. In order for quality learning to take place in a

classroom, both teacher and student need to understand

how to be successful. Teachers teach and students

learn, but both can be harmed by bad teaching tech-

niques that just won‘t go away.

Knowledge of Best Teaching Practices is Essential

to Student Learning

Much is known about the psychology of learning. Most

of it is taught in colleges of education. Regrettably,

many teachers are influenced by their personal experi-

ence as students and apply methods learned when they

were learners.

Many new teachers seek tips and ―tricks‖ from experi-

enced teachers who may base their teaching philosophy

on an ends-justifying-the-means approach. For exam-

ple, if a quiet class is the goal, there are many negative

and threatening methods that produce quiet classes, but

simultaneously interfere with learning.

The Use of Rewards and Incentives

One of the most common beliefs in schools is that re-

warding students with material things will improve

learning. There are serious problems with this practice.

Dr. Marvin Marshall, a well-known expert on motiva-

tion writes, "External controls are manipulators that set

up students to be dependent upon external agents."

Intrinsic learning should be emphasized from the start

of learning. Specifically, students must understand that

learning for the sake of learning is a good thing — it is

the key to success. Teachers must apply techniques that

make learning as pleasant as possible.

Rewarding good behavior is also insidiously affected

by the teacher‘s feelings about rewarding. People feel

good about pleasing others and seeing a positive reac-

tion. This feeling reinforces rewarding in the teacher,

and it may be done because the teacher needs to feel

good!

Put-downs and Sarcasm

Teachers need to be emotionally secure enough to un-

derstand the importance of adult behavior. Interactions

with students are not based on quid pro quo exchanges,

rather teachers behave as mature adults at all times.

Embarrassing students or using sarcasm not only inter-

feres with relationships; it hinders learning and it im-

plies that bad behavior must be OK if adults do it.


Positive Techniques for Motivational Teaching

Punishing the Class

Often during class two or three students might continue

to talk or be disruptive despite the teacher‘s warnings.

A common practice is to announce that unless every-

one behaves that the entire class will be punished in

some way. This is equivalent to arresting everyone pre-

sent in a bank when one person pulls off a robbery! It

turns peers against one another, while demonstrating

that teachers have a right to be unfair.

Negative Discipline as Opposed to Teaching Good

Behavior

The best teachers are prepared to teach students how to

behave as opposed to tossing out consequences for bad

behavior. Writing names on the board with checkmarks

for continuing offenses is common, but of questionable

value compared to positive, assertive discipline. Teach-

ers who work toward a unified class of students who

understand expectations will experience more success

in maintaining good behavior.

Being positive requires knowledge of human behavior,

a competent and confident teacher, and commitment.

Negative discipline — shouting, writing names on the

board, threats, etc. — is easier in the short term, but

being positive and assertive produces a better learning

environment.

Poor Assessments and Evaluation Techniques

Understanding what makes a good test and what should

count toward a grade are the fundamental issues in as-

sessment and evaluation. Leaning too heavily on for-

mative assessments to evaluate students is bad practice.

Teachers should know the difference between forma-

tive and summative assessments and grade only what

should be graded.

Not all student work needs a grade, although parents

need to know whether or not students are completing

required work. Homework is the most frequent source

of grading student work that doesn‘t need to be graded.

If homework reflects standards to be assessed later,

then it becomes a learning task that will be graded

when the standards appear on tests.

If teachers feel strongly about grading homework they

might try a weekly homework quiz based exclusively

on homework. This practice can save teacher time and

avoid the problem of students copying others home-

work.

The types of assessments given should be well-

conceived. True-false, matching, and similar assess-

ments don‘t tap higher levels of learning and are typi-

cally graded improperly.

E.g., a ten-item true-false quiz with two wrong answers

should receive a score of 60, not 80. This is because a

student has a 50-50 chance of guessing and getting the

right answer. To put it another way, a totally illiterate

person could take a true-false test and get a score of

50% due to chance, even though he knows nothing

about the subject and can‘t even read.

Motivation Should Take Care of Itself

Teachers are constantly looking for tips to motivate

students, but motivating someone to do what they don‘t

want to do is complex. Tricks and tips may appear to

motivate, while only making students temporarily more

contented. A quiet classroom also does not mean that

learning is taking place.

Teachers should focus on creating an atmosphere that

meets basic human needs— acceptance, safety, happi-

ness, physical comfort, etc. Posters should reflect en-

couragement, not sarcasm. Students concerns should be

respected, not rejected. Individual students should fre-

quently hear remarks that affirm progress or encour-

agement toward progress. Teachers should acknowl-

edge successes to the class as a group and thank them

for their efforts.

Much of what is necessary for successful teaching is a

matter of common sense, yet many poor practices have

gained popularity over the decades. The modern

teacher must pay attention to what works and apply

techniques of teaching and discipline that are based on

a positive approach.

Effective teaching is for the informed, mature individ-

ual who can adapt. Emotional stability and attention to

individual and group needs are essential.

Visit our website: www.kipsacco.

Co.ke and update your

knowledge of your sacco

NEW FOSA CLOSING AND

CLOSING HOURS

Opening …………….. 8.30am

Closing………………. 4.00pm.

BRANCH OFFICES :

BOMET BRANCH, Kipsigis Teachers Building, Tel/fax 052-22422, Bomet

BURETI BRANCH: Kipsigis Teachers

Building, Tel/fax 052-54072, Kapkatet

IN BRIEF

KIPSIGIS TEACHERS SACCO NEWSLET-

TER is a members publication of the Kip-

sigis Teachers Sacco Society Ltd, P.O. Box

682—20200, Kericho, Kenya ,Telephone

+254—052-21029/30229, Fax+254 –

21329,email: [email protected],

website: www.kipsacco.co.ke

Edited and produced by Investment News,

P.O. Box 20257-00100 Nairobi, website:

www.investmentnewskenya.com

ATM Services are now available.

Please use these services

LETTERS

Let’s Integrate Interns Interns are our colleagues being employed by the TSC. They should be welcomed into the mainstream cooperators.

The welcoming should be in line with sensitization to vari-

ous teachers‘ stakes to enable them run faster. As it is said,

prevention should be addressed through planning so as to protect the poorer as far as possible against the disaster of

commercial lenders.

The new colleagues, if not assisted, may end up in the hands of mushrooming lending institutions. Any extremity

of anything may lead to disruption of the basic fabric and

functioning of societies with widespread economic inflation

As we try to understand some of the extreme economic events, the know-how and the strategies have come up to

take the preventive measures through societies.

The average member who is most at risk when disaster strikes should be informed and exposed by the sound man-

agement of the Kipsigis Teachers Sacco. Stressing adequate

provision of adaptation measurers based on personal plan-ning.

Cooperatives offer many opportunities to develop migra-

tion and adaptation strategies to deal with economic hard-

ships. The economic actors with cooperatives should be key play-

ers in developing sound strategies for sustainability.

Many teachers are still grappling with economic change working out how to access funding and learn from the pio-

neering cooperators and present members.

The leadership with Kipsigis Teachers Sacco can show fo-cus for our young cooperators and turn then around for the

success of society and themselves.

John K. Meli, Member

Do you have anything– comments, suggestions, news—to

tell other members? Post your editorial contribution to the

head office in Kericho town or hand it over at the CEO’s

office.

Finish Lines

Success is never measured by

The things we try to do;

It only comes when we have seen

A task completely through.

Documents

Kipsigis Teachers Sacco newsletter 2011