First Lady Margaret Kenyatta yesterday underlined the importance of embracing teaching approaches that promote progressive attitudes and encourages students to be positive catalysts of change
She said such approach empowers the children to become active citizens and contributors towards the progress of humanity.
This approach, said the First Lady, also gives the children a holistic educational experience- a movement that is being witnessed across world.
She applauded the GEMS Cambridge International Schools network for its top-to-bottom pyramid approach to education that embraces inclusiveness.
The First Lady spoke at the Cambridge International School , Nairobi (CIN) where she presided over the institution’s 5th year anniversary and its Super Citizen Assembly for this year.
During the ceremony, 20 learners were recognized as the school’s “super citizens “ for this year and awarded certificates for various achievements including academic excellence , unique personal talents, personality traits and upholding important values.
Master Kevin Sigei was celebrated for posting the best examinations results in various subjects under the GEMS network of schools globally.
“Today is a special day, where we have, through the Super Citizen Assembly, recognized students who have truly embodied GEMS values and practically applied them in their everyday live”, said the First Lady.
The GEMS Schools in a global network of 110 institutions operating in 20 countries including Kenya, Uganda, and Egypt.
The GEMS group of schools, which has been operating for the last 55 is the largest private education provider globally. The network started the CIN (Nairobi) five years ago.
The CIN offers the British curriculum but students in other countries undergo different curricula.
The First Lady also praised the GEMS community for putting quality education within the reach of every child and for embedding its principle that “No Child Shall be left behind” into its institutional values.
Through its principles of inclusivity to education, the GEMS Education outreach plans to establish over 1000 schools through the top-to-bottom pyramid approach.
This approach recognizes the harsh economic realities in different countries and the barriers that prevent many children from making the most of their talents.
“We must not forget that there are many girls and boys who deserve the opportunities offered in this (CIN) school”, said the First Lady
Under the GEM global program, low cost schools with equal opportunities and same educational standards are established in inadequately endowed neighbor-hoods to provide opportunities to children of various backgrounds. Uganda already enjoys 8 such schools.
The First Lady encouraged the students at the school to take advantage of the opportunity of being part of a global network surrounded by a great faculty of teachers.
“This community teaches you to leverage your talents, not just for personal success, but to build a better world”,
She told the students much more is expected of them since the society had invested heavily in them.
The First Lady was conducted around the school complex by the institution’s Principal Mr Scott Webber, GEMS Africa Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sukwinder Bassi and the Regional Director Dr Ernest Mureithi.
