The 4th Edition of Great Places To School Awards Gala Dinner organized by Global Peace Foundation Kenya and the Standard Media Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Kenya Private Schools Association, Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa, Opinion Track Ltd, UNICAF Kenya and Sunrise Virtual School went down in a scintillating event hosted at the Panari Hotel in Nairobi on 22nd March, 2024. The initiative recognizes, rates and awards Primary and High schools whose innovative learning environment and the overall school culture contribute to the development of a total child.
The annual event saw 46 schools feted in 11 competencies as finalists, in this scientific rating exercise, out of 392 entries received. Before awarding of the schools, the ceremony had a 1-hour open session, bringing together key education stakeholders to deliberate on emerging education acquisition demands and how government and other stakeholders in the sector can collaborate to achieve holistic learning in both primary and high schools in the country.
The theme for the 4th Edition was; “Creating Great Schools Through Character and Holistic Development,” and was deliberated on by Rev. Canon Rosemary Mbogo, Former Provincial Secretary of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Ms. Martha Odundo, Director of Education, Ministry of Education and Mr. Hesbon Otieno, Deputy Secretary General, Kenya National Union of Teachers, who jointly tackled various issues affecting provision of holistic education in Kenya, how to promote peaceful learning institutions and embrace positive character development and drew recommendations that can be put in place to solve them.
The Chief Guest, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Hon. Ezekiel Machogu, in his keynote speech (delivered by Dr. Salome Maina, Director, Ministry of Education) lauded the Great Places To School Initiative for being instrumental in supporting quality education since its inception.
“I would like to commend this initiative as a public-private sector effort to recognize and enhance the quality of education in Kenya,” said Hon. Machogu.
He said the Ministry of Education, through the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards, is ready to fully partner with key stakeholders in education to actualize such noble initiatives. “Efforts such as the Great Places To School are innovative ways to encourage our schools to willingly comply with such standards,” added the CS.
He also promised to continue working with stakeholders such as Global Peace Foundation, to realize a fully transformed education that not only gives equal opportunity to all learners but also foster character and moral innovative school cultures in our learning institutions across all levels.
The same sentiments were echoed by Mr. Charles Kimathi, Director of Corporate Affairs and Partnerships at the Standard Media Group, who stressed on the need to support collaborative approach to education by all. He elaborated that transformation of a country can only happen through transformation of its key institutions such as schools.
“Kenya has great schools, and Great Places To School’s main aim is to appreciate and award the best holistic institutions in Kenya”. “It has been a fulfilling journey for Standard Media Group and GPF-Kenya and we are prepared to do more”, he added.
On his part, Eng. Ben Kairu, Chief Executive Officer at Sunrise Virtual School, explained how technology and digital skills are progressively taking over the learning environment and ways of gaining knowledge. He subsequently called upon the participants to utilize the rapidly growing technological skills to better their schools for the 21st century demands.
“Technology makes education more accessible and affordable and that is the dream of Sunrise Virtual School,” said Eng. Kairu.
Global Peace Foundation Kenya Country Director Mr. Daniel Juma Omondi in his speech applauded the schools, which have shown willingness and consistence in not only participating in the initiative but also putting into practice the rating categories in their schools. He explained that this is one of the key signature programs launched by GPF-K in line with Global Peace Foundation’s mission of creating peaceful coexistence across the world through education empowerment.
As the curtain fell to mark the climax and end of the 4th edition of the program, the shining, bright and jovial expression on the faces of the attendees, signified assertion for the 5th edition of the competition, scheduled for next year in a bigger and better way!