20 Years in the Classroom: Two Decades of Sacrifice, Service, Results and Purpose
By Mwalimu Malata Benson •
Updated: 9th September 2026
On 9th September 2006, I walked through the gates of St. James Bulimbo Girls, now known as Mary Seat of Wisdom Bulimbo Girls, in Kakamega County, as a young teacher beginning a journey whose destination I could not see. Today, 9th September 2026, I look back with immense gratitude. I have completed 20 years in the teaching profession and entered my 21st year of service.
The school stands at the boundary of Kakamega and Bungoma counties, between Harambee Market and Watoya Market. It was there that my professional journey began—not on a permanent government appointment, but on BOM terms, earning a modest KSh 6,500 per month. My rent at Harambee Market was KSh 700.
I had just left Moi University after completing my teacher training, whose climax was teaching practice at Umoja High School in Eldoret between May and July 2006. I arrived at Bulimbo Girls with little money, but with something far more valuable: a determination to serve the child.
"Welcome to Bulimbo Girls and do your best to serve the child."
— Madam Electine Wabuyabo Kisiangani, Principal
Those few words became a professional philosophy that has remained with me for two decades. I learnt very early that teaching is not merely about completing a syllabus, attending lessons or earning a salary. Teaching is about serving the child.
4.20 A.M. — The Beginning of a Culture of Sacrifice
Every morning, I left my house early enough to arrive at school at about 4.20 a.m. My responsibility was to oversee the waking up and preparation of students for morning preps, which began at 5.00 a.m. and ended at 6.00 a.m. The response of the girls encouraged me. They appreciated my presence.
Becoming the First Male Boarding Master
In 2007, I was entrusted with another responsibility. I became the Boarding Master—the first male Boarding Master in a girls' school. I took that responsibility very seriously.
I even bought a Hero Jet bicycle for KSh 5,500, which became an important tool in enabling me to move around as I discharged this sacred responsibility.
Bulimbo Girls — Where Kiswahili Became a Brand
Through sacrifice, teamwork and dedication, remarkable results began to emerge. Working alongside my Kiswahili counterpart, Mr. Alex Chegenye, we pushed the subject to greater heights. Kiswahili eventually achieved a mean score of 8.4 in KCSE, helping to establish the subject as a brand at Bulimbo Girls.
2008 — Mandera and a New Chapter
In August 2008, I attended an interview at Sheikh Ali Boys in Mandera. I succeeded and secured my first TSC appointment. Suddenly, the young teacher from Bulimbo Girls was moving to a completely different environment bordering Somalia and Ethiopia. But I carried the same philosophy with me: Wherever I am posted, I must serve the child to the best of my ability.
When Teaching Went Beyond the Classroom
At Mandera, I worked closely with colleagues, among them Mr. Abdikhalif, now Principal of Arabia Boys in Mandera. Together, we trained a Somali-dramatised dance. In 2009, that team reached the national level at Kaaga Girls in Meru.
2010 — Ngozi Girls and the Birth of a Writer
In October 2010, I was posted to Ngozi Girls in Lungalunga, at the Kenya-Tanzania border. This became another defining chapter. I eventually wrote 'Pepeto ya Isimujamii', which I later published in 2015.
St. Peter's Boys Mumias — The Dream of 10.3
My journey later brought me to St. Peter's Boys High School, Mumias, in 2014. Mr. Owuor Godfrey, the Principal, had developed an interest in my work from as early as 2007. In KCSE 2015, Kiswahili achieved a mean score of 10.3, placing the school second behind Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls. That 10.3 remains a record yet to be broken at St. Peter's Boys.
The Dream of Defeating Mukumu
From 2015, I developed one particular academic ambition: One day, I would defeat Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls in Kiswahili mean score. For years, that remained a dream. Then came KCSE 2025 when Musingu High School achieved a Kiswahili mean score of 8.95, while Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls recorded 8.90. The dream had finally become reality. A dream pursued for ten years had finally been achieved — I could finally say: Mission accomplished.
2017 — I Left Teaching to Try Politics
In 2017, I made a completely different decision. I resigned from teaching and ventured into politics, contesting for the position of MCA for Bukhayo Central Ward in Busia County. I lost to Hon. Kassaman. But losing an election did not mean losing my purpose.
20th January 2019 — Musingu Boys
On 20th January 2019, I reported to Musingu Boys High School in Kakamega South Sub-County. I joined a team. And together, we began another journey.
Musingu Boys KCSE Performance
515 candidates · Defeated Mukumu (8.90) in 2025
Results Are Built, Not Wished For
Quality results do not happen by accident. They are built through:
- Sacrifice
- Commitment
- Teamwork
- Discipline
- Consistency
- Collaboration
- Strategic Planning
- Mentorship
- Hard Work
- Belief in Learners
My Passion for Boarding Has Never Died
Throughout the schools where I have worked, I have consistently found myself serving as a Boarding Master. This is not by accident. I have a deep passion for boarding. I believe that some of the roots of academic indiscipline begin in the boarding environment when teachers withdraw and leave students to manage themselves.
From Teacher to Mentor
Today, my passion for teaching has developed into a wider mission. Principals from different schools now invite me to share knowledge and experience with teachers and students. I have been invited across Kenya's eight regions.
Gratitude to the Teachers Who Walked With Me
To every colleague who stood beside me: ASANTE.
To every student who responded to my mentorship: ASANTE.
To every principal who opened the school gate for me: ASANTE.
To every teacher who embraced teamwork: ASANTE
The Journey Continues
Today, I celebrate 20 years of teaching and the beginning of my 21st year.
I celebrate the young teacher who arrived at Bulimbo Girls in 2006 with KSh 6,500 in his pocket but a heart full of determination.
I celebrate the bicycle that carried me through boarding responsibilities.
I celebrate the early mornings.
Above all, I celebrate many of students who have gone through my hands since 2006.
MAY I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE STRENGTH, WISDOM AND HUMILITY TO SERVE THE CHILD.
20 YEARS DOWN. THE CALLING REMAINS.
Mwalimu Malata Benson
Teacher – Mentor – Writer – Publisher – Educational Consultant – Political Analyst
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