Where Vision Meets Altitude: Amasege SDA Secondary’s Trailblazing Journey Through Career Pathways and Academic Excellence

A section of students pictured during a previous event. PHOTO/Courtesy.
  • From a double-streamed setup in 2013, Amasege SDA now boasts six streams, reflecting its capacity to cater to a larger student body while maintaining quality education standards.
  • Principal Matara, who also serves as the KESSHA Chairperson for Masaba South Sub-County, brings visionary leadership and a wealth of experience that continues to shape the academic and administrative progress of the school.
  • The school’s strategic focus on the CBC pathways ensures that students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the dynamic demands of the modern world. By fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical values, Amasege SDA is preparing its students to be leaders and innovators in their respective fields.

Perched gracefully on a sloping hillside just three kilometers from Keroka town in Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii County, Amasege SDA Mixed Secondary School stands as a symbol of resilience, vision, and academic transformation. Its elevated location offers more than a panoramic view of the lush Kisii landscape—it mirrors the school’s own steady climb from humble beginnings to one of the region’s top-performing institutions.

Founded in 1993 through a community initiative in collaboration with Amasege Primary School and sponsored by the South Kenya Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the school began as a modest day school. With only five students, two Teachers Service Commission (TSC) educators, and one Board of Management (BOM) teacher, few could have predicted the tremendous impact the institution would come to have. Today, Amasege SDA Mixed Secondary School is not only a hub of academic excellence but also a strategic pioneer in embracing Kenya’s new competency-based educational pathways.

Mr. Robinson Matara, the dedicated Principal of Amasege SDA Mixed Secondary School. PHOTO/Courtesy.

A Journey of Transformation

At its inception, Amasege SDA Mixed Secondary School operated with minimal resources, sharing a compound with the primary school. However, under the dynamic leadership of Principal Robinson Matara, who took the helm in 2013, the school embarked on a remarkable journey of growth and development.

Principal Matara, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) for Masaba South Sub-County, brings visionary leadership and a wealth of experience that continues to shape the academic and administrative progress of the school.

From a student population of 375 in 2013, the school has witnessed exponential growth, now accommodating over 1,050 students. This surge necessitated infrastructural expansion, including the acquisition of additional land, construction of new classrooms, and the establishment of a reliable borehole, ensuring students no longer fetch water from distant sources.

Principal Robinson Matara (speaking) and Board of Management Chairperson Dr. Enock Monda pictured during a previous event at the school. PHOTO/Courtesy.

The school’s physical expansion has been matched by notable academic strides. In the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, Amasege SDA Secondary School marked a major academic milestone by presenting a significant number of candidates, 190 students. Out of these, 148 secured direct university entry, underscoring the school’s growing academic influence. Although the overall mean score slightly declined from 7.74 of 2023 to 2024’s 7.336, the school registered a notable improvement in the quality of grades, reflecting deliberate efforts to deepen academic excellence and subject-specific performance.

A group of the school’s teachers pause to capture a memorable moment in a photo. PHOTO/Scholar Media Africa.

Embracing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Pathways

In alignment with Kenya’s educational reforms, Amasege SDA is proactively preparing to implement two of the three pathways outlined in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC): Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and Social Sciences. The school has invested in requisite facilities and resources to accommodate the inaugural Grade 10 cohort in January 2026.

A section of Amasege SDA Mixed Secondary School students pose for a group photo. PHOTO | Scholar Media Africa. PHOTO/Scholar Media Africa.

“We are fully prepared to receive the Grade 10 students next year; we have the required facilities,” affirms Principal Matara. “Our aim is to offer all-round education to enable our students to be responsible members of society after school.”

The school’s commitment to the CBC pathways reflects its dedication to providing students with diverse opportunities to explore their interests and talents, preparing them for various career paths and societal contributions.

Mr. Pius Ondabu, Deputy Principal for Administration. PHOTO/Scholar Media Africa.

Infrastructure and Resource Development

From a double-streamed setup in 2013, Amasege SDA now boasts six streams, reflecting its capacity to cater to a larger student body while maintaining quality education standards.

In 2022, the school received a new school bus, enhancing transportation for academic trips and extracurricular activities . This addition has further enriched the students’ learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Robinson Matara, Principal of Amasege SDA High School, shares a light moment with Prof. PLO Lumumba during a recent Transformational Leadership Awarding Ceremony in Nairobi. PHOTO/Mzii Photography.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

The school’s success is deeply rooted in the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders. Principal Matara acknowledges the collective contribution:

“The remarkable strides we’ve made are a result of the unwavering support from all stakeholders. My deputies, Mr. Pius Ondabu, in charge of Administration, and Mr. Daniel Orenge, overseeing Academics, have been instrumental. Our dedicated teachers, diligent support staff, committed students, and supportive parents have all played pivotal roles. The sponsorship from the South Kenya Conference of the SDA Church, guidance from the Ministry of Education, and the Teachers Service Commission’s support have been invaluable. The discipline observed among staff and students is largely attributed to our strong chaplaincy, which instills moral and spiritual values.”

This collaborative spirit has fostered a nurturing environment conducive to academic excellence and personal growth.

Mr. Daniel Orenge, Deputy Principal for Academics. PHOTO/Scholar Media Africa.

Looking Ahead

As Amasege SDA Mixed Secondary School continues its upward trajectory, it stands as a model for educational institutions aiming to blend academic excellence with moral integrity. Its proactive approach to embracing educational reforms, coupled with robust stakeholder engagement, positions it to produce well-rounded individuals ready to contribute positively to society.

The school’s strategic focus on the CBC pathways ensures that students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the dynamic demands of the modern world. By fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical values, Amasege SDA is preparing its students to be leaders and innovators in their respective fields.

Members of staff during a retreat. PHOTO/Courtesy.

Background

Amasege SDA Mixed Secondary School, a Sub-County institution in Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii County, was founded in 1993 through a collaboration between the Amasege community and Amasege Primary School. Initially a day school with minimal resources, it has transformed into a reputable institution with a student population exceeding 1,000. Under the leadership of Principal Robinson Matara since 2013, the school has achieved significant milestones in academic performance, infrastructure development, and stakeholder engagement. Its commitment to holistic education and readiness to implement the CBC pathways underscore its dedication to nurturing responsible and competent citizens.

MORE PHOTOS

A section of the school’s support staff, from left: Linet Sarange (Accounts Clerk), Ruth Mogaka (Bursar), and Dorothy Ombui (Principal’s Secretary), captured in a moment together. PHOTO/Scholar Media Africa.
Victor Kibet, a Form 4 student and the school’s headboy. PHOTO/Scholar Media Africa.
Ivvone Moraa, a Form Four student and the school’s head girl. PHOTO/Scholar Media Africa.
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