Kenyan nominated for global education award

Mr Gideon Kyalo, the proprietor and director of Goodrich Schools in Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Goodrich Schools, which have a population of 650 pupils, registered a mean grade of 386 marks in last year’s KCPE exam.

A Kenyan educationist has been nominated for a prestigious global education award.

Mr Gideon Kyalo, the proprietor and director of Goodrich Schools, is a finalist in the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Awards 2018.

“I am elated beyond words. Given my education background and challenges, I never imagined such a day would ever come. I thank God,” Mr Kyalo said.

He has been nominated in the category of Outstanding Contribution in Education Award, where he is the only finalist from Africa and will compete against 10 others from across the world.

KCPE PERFORMANCE
The awards recognise individuals who have contributed to the growth of the sector.

Mr Kyalo, who was a slow learner and repeated classes so many times that he had to change his name from Titus to Gideon to hide his identity, now owns two schools in Kileleshwa and Imara Daima in Nairobi.

Goodrich Schools, which have a population of 650 pupils, registered a mean grade of 386 marks in last year’s KCPE exam.

He is a classic example of how failure in academics does not necessarily lead to failure in life.

“In secondary school, I was much older than the rest of the students; I even had a beard. I would shave my beard almost every night to look like my fellow students,” he said.

Kenya Private Schools Association chief executive officer Peter Ndoro said they will send a team of 15 representatives to accompany Mr Kyalo to Dubai where the award gala will be held on February 18.

He said the recognition underscores the role private schools play in the success of education in the country.