The 2nd Edition of Great Places To School Awards Gala Dinner went down in a colorful event hosted at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi on 3rd December, 2021 to recognize and award secondary schools whose innovative learning environment and the overall culture contributes to the development of a total child holistically.
The event which did not take place last year due to Covid-19 pandemic, saw a total of 15 schools feted as finalists in different categories under which the rating is rooted. Before awarding the schools, this annual research-based rating exercise had a 2-hour panel discussion bringing together key education stakeholders to deliberate on the future of education in Kenya.
Under the theme; “Transforming Education for the Future,” the panelists derived from corporate companies, media house and government institutions had a lively engagement with the attendees on; Ways to Create Positive School Environments that Allow Intellectual, Personal and Interpersonal Development of the Students and Strategies Teachers can Employ Towards a Holistic Learning Culture.
In his keynote speech, Dr. Julius Jwan Ouma, Principal Secretary, State Department for Early Learning and Basic 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 Dr. Jwan in a statement delivered by Mr. Paul Kibet, Director of Secondary and Tertiary Education.
He said the Ministry of Education, through the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards, has established quality standards in all basic and training institutions.
“Efforts such as the Great Places To School are innovative ways to encourage our schools to willingly comply with such standards,” added Jwan.
The same sentiments were echoed by Mr. Orlando Lyomu, Chief Executive Officer, The Standard Group PLC who stressed on the need for education systems to focus on bringing out the best in students and not just concentrating on academics.
“This is informed by the fact that times are changing and now gifts or competencies like art, football, cooking, modelling are producing great people,” said Lyomu.
The same panel discussion was also attended by a representative from CEMASTEA, Mr. Martin Mungai who delivered a speech from their Director, Mrs. Jacinta L. Akatsa, HSC who appreciated the existing of this innovative way of rating schools and awarding those that portray best practices in different fields.
Speaking on behalf of Moringa School, Ms. Whitney Atieno, Program Assistant, explained how their institution trains learners beyond high school on STEM curriculum that help develop and mould them to fit the job market.
The issues under discussion could not be complete without addressing the emotional wellbeing of learners as a way of creating holistic learning environment. This was accomplished by Ms. Grace Ngugi Maina, Deputy Director, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development who stressed on the need to communicate effectively between learners and educators.
Mr. Paul Wanjohi from Kenya Private Schools Association called upon the teachers and parents not to perceive learners as criminals when there is misconduct in schools and urged the government to reach out to the grassroot level.
The Great Places To School is an Initiative of Global Peace Foundation and the Standard Group PLC in partnership with Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), Opinion Track Ltd, Moringa School and Safaricom PLC.
Every year the initiative awards top-performing schools in various categories including: Character and Creative Talent; STEM Education; Career Development and Entrepreneurship; Governance; Health and Personal Hygiene; Extra Curricular and Sports Activities; Academics; and Safety and Security.
The first edition which was held in 2019 saw 24 schools feted in an award ceremony at Safari Park Hotel in the presence of education stakeholders and partners. The link attached herein contains the list of the 2021 winning schools in various categories: https://greatplacestoschool.com/2021-winners/
Mr. Daniel Omondi, Executive Director, Global Peace Foundation Kenya, gave his closing remarks for this year’s event by thanking the GPTS partners and sponsors who made the event a success. He challenged the representatives of corporate companies to endorse and support the initiative while highlighting the numerous opportunities within the education sector.