The role of the Catholic Church in the development of secondary education in Gusii: The case of Cardinal Otunga high school Mosocho,1961-2006

Abstract

This study discuses the role played by the Catholics in the development of secondary education in Gusii. This has been done by focusing on the establishment, growth and development of Cardinal Otunga High School-Mosocho whose history from 1961 to 2006 has been documented. This is a historical study and has utilized both primary and secondary sources of data. To put the topic in focus, the study starts by tracing the origin of the Catholics in Gusii. The study shows that just like other missionaries the Catholics also took education as an instrument for African evangelization. It emphasized on catechism and memorization of scriptures .In Gusii the first education centre for the Catholics began in Nyabururu in 1912. Catholic education in Gusii was quite slow. the first secondary school st. James Nyabururu was established in 1961 by the Catholic Diocese of Kisii upon its formation. Later. it was transformed to Mosocho and it was named after Bishop Otunga of Kisii Diocese in 1962. The school was run by Tilburg Brothers from Holland: however. the school project was equally funded by the. government. The Tilburg Brothers provided most of the teachers. although part of the the staff was African. The Brothers continued to support the school until it was Africanized in 1987. The study shows academic and eo-curriculum activities performance through the years. The study has looked at the school's shortcomings over the years. Despite some few problems the study shows that the common talk of Cardinal Otunga High School to be in deep slumber is quite misleading. The study shows that the school has had a lot of influence to the local community especially in socio-economic and educational development. Equally. Cardinal Otunga High.School-Mosocho, has also contributed in a very big way to national developments through roles played by members of its former learners in the society. Finally the study has also given various recommendations on some other areas for further reading and research.