St Joseph's Boys School signs MoU with US academy

St Joseph's Boys Principal Cosmas Nabungolo and the academy's Dean of Admissions Dr David Rath celebrate the signing of the MoU. [Osinde Obare, Standard]

St Joseph's Boys National School Kitale has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Monteverde Academy of Florida, a global character, academic, and talent-nurturing institution.

The school's Principal Cosmas Nabungolo and the academy's Dean of Admissions Dr David Rath signed the agreement over the weekend at the institution in Kitale.

The exchange programme focuses on talent, career, and academic collaboration between the two institutions.

Dr Rath arrived at the school to a warm welcome from the school community led by Nabungolo.

He emphasised the academy's commitment to character, education and sports nurturing saying education is an eye-opener.

"We prioritise education, we select the very best in academics and talent comes second, without education you have a bleak future after your sporting career comes down yet you have a whole life ahead of you," he told students

Dr Rath said the academy offers the best learning and high level of training in at least 70 countries in the world.

"We have a strong academic and outstanding talent nurturing programme in the world, and 40 of our alumni are in the national basket association while 60 graduates are serving in international soccer," he disclosed.

He encouraged students to make education their number one priority as it would enable them to become useful people in society.

"We don't admit academic non-performances. Education is our core programme, and education is one thing we preach at the academy since it determines the person's future," he argued.

Nabungolo appreciated Montevede for picking St Joseph's Boys as the first centre for collaboration.

He termed the MoU a sign of hope for many bright and gifted boys and girls in Kenya. "Your visit brings hope to the young, bright, and gifted boys and girls. The exchange programme will better the learners' academic and talented fields," he said.

The principal said his trips to the academy had become critical in the signing of the MoU. "I learnt a lot from my trips to Florida 3 years ago when I took 3 students to join local universities, and I'm pleased that the students are doing exemplary well," he said.

Nabungolo told Dr Rath that the school has exceptional talents in various fields and remarkable performance in academics.

"Here, my brother, we have exceptional academic performance and an ecosystem that brings together a multi-talent and the collaboration will help manufacture talents for the global market," he said.

The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Trans Nzoia County Executive Member for Lands Janerose Mutama and Chief Officer Gender Youth Sports and Culture Jane Wachwenge.

Mutama affirmed the county administration's commitment to help develop and promote talent and praised Nabungolo for his consistency in nurturing talents.

"You are all round and always leave a legacy of transformation whenever you step. The county will support the initiatives to transform the lives of students," she said.

The partnership comes barely two months after Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala and Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga's MOFA signed separate agreements to nurture talents.

FKF President Nick Mwendwa picked the school as a football centre of excellence.