Top performing schools shine in award gala

Moringa School Assistant Manager Whitney Atieno Ogutu, Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu (C) and Secondary schools Director Paul Kibet at Sarova Stanley, Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Key issues in the education sector dominated the ceremony to award top public and private schools that have excelled in various learning activities.

Burning of schools, 100 per cent transition, strategies towards a holistic learning culture and improving quality of education dominated the panel discussions on Thursday evening when top schools were recognised.

A total of 30 schools were awarded in the second edition of Initiative gala that was held at Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi.

The initiative is a partnership between Standard Group Plc, Global Peace Foundation Kenya and Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA).

Other partners are the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (Cemastea) and Opinion Track. The event was also supported by Safaricom and Moringa School.

A total of 168 schools submitted their entries for the 10 categories of STEM, health and personal hygiene, entrepreneurship, extra-curricular activities, academics, character and creativity, safety and security, governance, judges award and most improved schools.

The winning schools for the respective categories were Crawford International School, Juja Preparatory and Senior School, Greensteads International School, Laiser Hill Academy, Brookshine Schools, Mpesa Foundation Academy, Ndururumo High School, and Millennium Global School. The Excellence School emerged the most improved, followed by Oshwal Academy Mombasa and Ruiga Mixed Secondary School. Winning schools were each awarded trophies.

Basic Education PS Julius Jwan lauded the Great Places To School Initiative for being instrumental in supporting quality education since it was started in 2019.

Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu (left) presents the award for 'Career Development and Entrepreneurship' to Catherine Imalingat, Daniel Motaya and Oliver Omoho of Greensteds Schools. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

“I would like to commend this initiative as a public-private sector effort to recognise and enhance the quality of education in Kenya,” said Dr Jwan in a statement delivered by 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.

Daniel Omondi, executive director of Global Peace Foundation Kenya, said the initiative is an affirmation that Kenya is a hub of quality education.

The stakeholders said with strong governance systems, managers and teachers would be empowered to avert arson in schools.

Standard Group PLC Chief Executive Officer Orlando Lyomu said any education system should 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.

He said education continues to be among Standard Group’s several pillars, going by the various partnerships with the TVET sector, Newspapers In Schools (NIE) and Great Places To School.