Contributions of Sr. Rita Shisala Itebete to the development of girl-child education: A case study of Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School, Kakamega County, Kenya, 1970–2003

Abstract

The paper has explored the role of Sister Rita Shisala Itebete in the achievement of girl-child education at Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School (SHMGHS) in Kenya in Kakamega County, 1970-2003. Sr. Rita, who was a product of the missionary education, the first African principal of SHMGHS, was at the forefront of the promotion of academic excellence, moral development, leadership opportunities among girls during her leadership. Three objectives were used in the study; to trace the educational background of Sr. Rita, to review her contribution towards the growth of girl-child education, and to evaluate overall implications of her leadership within the school and the surrounding community. The study rested upon the Great Man Theory, a theory of history which relies on the impact of exceptional figures in the development of history, and the Ecology Metaphor, which considers schools to be ecosystems, made up of teachers, students, leaders, and the community at large. These theoretical lenses aided in offering a framework in which individual leadership skills of Sr. Rita and the organizational climate that sustained her works were interpreted. The design applied was an historical study design, which is founded on the oral interview of the family members, clergy, teachers, former students and members of the sisterhood, and archival documents of the Kenya National Archives. Secondary materials used were also books and other scholarly materials. Internal and external critique and corroboration and triangulations of the data were done to ensure reliability and validity. Findings indicated that Sr. Rita leadership had transformed SHMGHS into an educational, ethical center where alumni contributed independently and contributed to the educational, medical and other aspects of life. Her legacy shows how the visionary leadership and collaboration with the community influence the rise in access to education among girls and the empowerment of future generations. The study recommends the increased recognition of women leaders in the education sector and increased coverage on the Sisters of Mary of Kakamega who had brought a collective transformation on the area of female education in Western Kenya and other parts of the world.