Software helps schools track student discipline and secure crucial data

Samson Wanjohi, the developer of ShulePro software during the interview. SALATON NJAU 

By WANJOHI GITHAE, wgithae@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• “The results (exam) can also be sent via email to parents and guardians thus eliminating manual report cards. The email can also include discipline record with specific dates a student misbehaved and as well as fees due to be paid. They also include homework to be done,” said Mr Wanjohi.

A school records management software is gaining foothold across the country and changing how institutions store and track information among their core stakeholders.

The software, named ShulePro is able to keep records on all examinations done, students discipline, dormitories management, school fees payment and library use.

Mr Samson Wanjohi, the developer of the software said it is now popular in private primary schools and public secondary schools and its use is growing exponentially.

Parents and guardians also get SMS notifications on how their children are faring in academics once exam results are out.
“My earlier version has been greatly improved by schools which took it up. They helped in improving it by offering suggestions on how it can be enhanced,” he said.

Message updates

Its major selling point is that it has both online and offline versions which enable schools in areas without Internet access to use it comfortably.
“The software enables a teacher to get hourly text message updates on the upcoming lessons 15 minutes to start of each. They can also opt to get all updates in the morning on how their lesson schedules are,” said Mr Wanjohi.

“The results (exam) can also be sent via email to parents and guardians thus eliminating manual report cards. The email can also include discipline record with specific dates a student misbehaved and as well as fees due to be paid. They also include homework to be done,” said Mr Wanjohi.

Teachers who carry work home are able to enter the results from the comfort of their sitting rooms and synchronise it once they are in school.
To avoid sabotage, teachers have passwords to enable them access the system.

St. Francis Girls High School, Mang’u and Moi High School Mbiruri in Embu County are some of the schools that use the software.

“We have used the software for two years now. It processes results quit fast and is able to alert parents and guardians in a timely fashion. The cloud server for synchronisation of results is a game changer,” said Mr Daniel Kiragu St. Francis’s, deputy dean of studies in charge of Curriculum Implementation and Assessment.

Mr Martin Macharia from Moi High School’s curriculum department said the data security has given the software an edge in the market.
“We have tried other software but this one is much better because it offers cloud system that gives us data back up,” he said.

Cut on costs

Mr Wanjohi said one of the major problems he has encountered include schools with no websites missing out on the online version.

“Most schools do not have websites, forcing them to only use ShulePro offline version therefore unable to benefit from ShulePro online which includes an online library. This is automatically customised based on students’ performance records. They also miss out on online modules that help the teacher monitor students easily,” he said.

He said the industry was ripe for software developers but he decried the preference of pirated software versions to cut on costs.

Further he said the inconsistency among software developers because they do not immerse themselves in research and development was working against the industry.

“We have a copycat industry when it comes to software. Developers are waiting for next product and copy it. Most developers do not get out of their ‘engineering bunker’ to get to know what the market wants” he said.

wgithae@ke.nationmedia.com