Just as most of us have had to adjust ourselves to these uncertain times, YYAS (Yale Young African Scholars) has not been an exception. YYAS – was supposed to be my opportunity to meet other Africans who are passionate about our continent as well as their respective countries, and to share ideas and interact with new people from very diverse backgrounds. Even though we had to have our session online due to the pandemic, I have still learned so much and had an unforgettable experience.

 

Applying for YYAS

 

My friend Esther Wachira, had the chance to attend YYAS in 2019. From all the great stories she told me, coupled with her experience, I knew that I too would love such an experience, and thought, why not give it a try. I did my research through their website to learn more about the program and the application process and requirement and from there I began the application process. 

The essay questions were not only thought-provoking but also super fun. One asked about our favourite fictional character, the second asked us what in our country’s history we would change and the other, which was my favourite, asked us to write on a rumour about our country and whether we agree or disagree with it.

It was a bit challenging trying to think about the rumour question but the best part was finding and settling on a topic about Kenya and from there, writing a 500-word essay even felt limiting. I also had help from one of the school Post School Success mentors who read my essays over and over and helped me articulate my thoughts in a much concise way. It was a tough process but worth it in the end.

On 9th April I opened my email from YYAS. “Congratulations! I am thrilled to offer you admission…” I saw those words and started to jump all over the house and I cried because I really couldn’t believe it! That was probably one of my highest moments in this quarantine period. I called my number one cheerleader and classmate Chelsy, who was there for me throughout the application process. Let’s just say she sounded like she was more excited than I was!

 

Finding a balance 

 

A live program is obviously much better than an online one, but it was well planned either way in order to give us the YYAS experience despite the current pandemic. Additionally, I had exams at the same time as the program, which meant juggling between both. An online program also meant that we had shorter sessions and we weren’t able to have too many interactions if we were going to get all the information YYAS had to offer. We were sent materials to familiarize ourselves with the program content before it started. 

During the program, we had two types of sessions, the seminars and group sessions. I especially loved the group sessions because that’s when we got to talk in smaller groups and get to know each other better. I met so many passionate people. People who are aware of the issues happening around them; people who wanted to help bring positive change to their communities; people who were not afraid to confront the challenges that we face as Africans and provide solutions to those problems.

 

Valuable lessons

 

“If we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, why are we still waiting?” This is a statement that stood out for me. It was from a video on Leadership, by Africa Matters. It is a call to us the youth to begin being changemakers and to stop waiting and just start doing whatever we can, however, we can, to impact Africa. Another perception that changed for me was my view on applying to universities in America. Previously, during our Post School Success sessions, I was clear that I was not going to go to the US to study, but now some of its schools are among the top five on my list. 

 

All in all, YYAS gave me an opportunity to learn more about myself as well as pushed me to be better. It encouraged me to start thinking about what I can do now to help my community while equipping me with the skills I would need to do so. Lastly, I loved the people I met and enjoyed learning about all those different cultures and sharing my own. I got to expand my network and make friends for life from all over Africa. YYAS was great and I highly recommend it!

 

Join us

 

Interested in enrolling your child at Nova Pioneer? Click down below to apply

My journey and decision to enroll my son Yasin at Nova Pioneer was not an easy one, for lack of better words, I would say it all started in earnest. Assessing some of the traditional factors a lot of families I know consider as metrics in selecting High Schools it was clear that this choice was very unconventional. 

Yasin emerged among the top candidates in the 2019 K.C.P.E exams in Bungoma County. He scored 426 marks and was offered a much coveted spot at The Alliance High School. My friends, colleagues and family members thought I had lost my mind to forego that chance for Nova Pioneer. Most of them had never heard about the school and kept wondering how I would afford it. 

In light of the societal pressure that came with my son joining Nova Pioneer, I have spent the first half of this year reflecting on his experience so far and what he has been able to achieve, and my heart is filled with immutable joy and pride. As much as the Ministry of Education has declared this academic year null, the virtual learning experience he has gained in the past five months will never be taken away from him. He is better prepared for the information age. 

 

Yasin’s Nascent Interests and How We Got Here

 

Since childhood, Yasin has always been very inquisitive and curious about machines. I remember how he would make makeshift airplanes from carton boxes. Yasin’s favourite tv channel has always been the discovery family ‘Ultimate car build off’ Henceforth, I discovered that Yasin had a  passion for engineering. He had the ability to focus and concentrate on his projects for long. 

As a child, he turned our study room into his mini workshop where he would stay all day and late into the night working on his inventions whenever he was not attending school. Having paid close attention to his consistency and resolve, I was always left with many questions: what do I want for my son? Why do I want it? How do I make it happen? It was clear to me that a more unique educational approach would give him better exposure and develop his passion. 

When Yasin was 11 years old his passion for engineering had developed so much that he insisted on going for the National Science and Engineering fair which was held at Kibabii High School in Bungoma. Whenever I would go with him to the school where I currently teach, he was always drawn to the physics laboratory where he would check out the school projects and apparatus.

With the discovery of his interests, it was crucial to find a school that would hold space for his love for building and discovering and further guiding and shaping his curiosity. As an educator, I had been following Christopher Khaemba’s unique education approach from Friends School Kamusinga to Alliance High School and then to The African Leadership Academy in South Africa. With Mr. Khaemba at the helm of Nova Pioneer’s leadership team,  I was confident that Nova Pioneer’s focus on Project Based Learning, innovation and leadership, will add an insurmountable amount of value to Yasin’s life.

 

Making It Work: Overcoming The Hurdles

 

As a family, we were already head over heels in love with the school after bringing Yasin for his interview at the Tatu City campus. It was clear to us after he got his offer that it would be an uphill task to tell Yasin that the cost of attendance at Nova Pioneer would be prohibitive. From the look of things, our modest earnings as teachers would not allow us to foot the cost of Yasin attending Nova Pioneer.

As normal parents would do, we had to pull our resources together and figure out a way to make it work. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Armed with determination and supplemental income from dairy farming and poultry keeping, I joined a merry go round, table banking group of six ladies called Blessed Sisters where we contribute thirty thousand shillings per month. Through the help of this group, I managed to complete the full year fees for Yasin by July.  This has given me much flexibility to plan ahead and ensure that I’m consistently ahead on payments. “No Human is Limited” – Eliud Kipchoge.

 

Learning During A Pandemic.

 

When the government closed all learning institutions in March, learning at Nova never stopped. They simply transitioned to virtual learning. As a teacher in an inadequately resourced school, I was unable to facilitate virtual classes for my students and therefore took this time to attend my son’s online classes. This experience has been nothing short of amazing and eye-opening. The things Yasin is able to do on the laptop make me very happy given he didn’t learn any computer in primary school. 

My personal favorite sessions have been the morning barazas. I vividly recall Dr. Benson Kairu(The school Principal) on one of the barazas talking to the young men about the Marshmallow experiment. It was very gripping to see how his points on exercising patience, self-control, and putting off instant gratification, were delivered in such a simple and relatable yet very practical manner.

I have also learned a lot just by observing the teachers. They have been extraordinarily consistent in their commitment to serve the learners at times, even late into the night. I remember a time when Yasin was doing revision for his midterm exam and encountered some difficulties in his calculations, he immediately sought help from his teacher of Mathematics (Mr. Carlos Ominde) who gave him feedback through email at around 11 pm. He often called Mr.Katumo his teacher of English late in the night for consultation and always got sorted. 

The delivery of lessons has been world-class. Their lessons are always interactive and the teachers always go above and beyond in ensuring the classes, albeit virtual, are conducive for learning. It was very endearing to see how even in the virtual classes, the collaborative approach to learning is adhered to. The break out rooms, class presentations and projects enhance the Joy of learning. My snaps and shout outs go to all F1S1 teachers: Mr.Abucheri, Mr.Hisabu, Mr.Kerabu, Ms.Wafula, Ms.Shanyisa, Mr.Nyamu, Mr.Ngahu, Ms.Kimetto and all the others.

Furthermore, the young men carry out projects either individually or in groups assigned to them by the teachers. The projects have helped Yasin develop research skills and he’s now more capable of doing such things on his own without supervision. The projects that are done as a group have enabled Yasin to embrace the culture principle; greater together. In fact, together with his classmates like Kizito, Okoth and Muhando, they have gone as far as creating their own zoom meetings to discuss and prepare for exams in the evenings. They are now working on the Post School Success Project with Mr.Hisabu as their faculty member.

Through the virtual learning that the school has implemented, I can stand as a proud parent to say that Yasin has developed a high form of discipline and self-startership. He always shows up for all the classes in time and has never missed to put on his uniform even for a single day. To add on to that, the school through the end of term report card has shown that everything that takes place in the classroom counts. This is seen when the report card entails the opener exam, quick quizzes, quizzes, midterm exam and projects. Through this, the young men are able to understand that they need to take everything seriously since they sum up to the final result.

The Nova Pioneer curriculum designers have gone out of their way to support teachers with truly engaging lesson plans. There’s the incorporation of audio-visual resources such as eye-catching videos and pictures. The reading of novels that are not KCSE set texts is worth mentioning. This term for example the Form Ones studied Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. I remember recently when I wanted to buy a cooker Yasin engaged me on the possibility of buying it online. I showed much valid apprehension to his idea as I wanted to see it first before I made the purchase. Yasin was able to draw a relatable comparison with a character from Chinua Achebe’s book that left me tongue-tied. He insisted I should not be like Okonkwo and that I should consider changing with the times! As a teacher of English and Literature myself, this comparison made me proud. It speaks to the level of relatability and relevance the content they are being exposed to really is.

This is indeed a great journey of hope and faith. I am certain that by the time Yasin gets to Form Four, he will have developed tremendously. My prayer is that he later joins an Ivy League University to pursue Engineering. I have faith that through Nova Pioneer’s robust international exposure modules courtesy of the Post School Success Team, he will be able to make it.

I highly recommend Nova Pioneer for any parent out there who has big dreams for their child. Champions are truly made from a desire, a dream and a vision!

 

I love teaching because I am helping shape the life of a learner. Watching my learners accomplish milestones is always rewarding to me. Some of the accomplishments include: seeing a child learn a routine to a point where I don’t have to give reminders,  watching a once reserved child stand before a whole class or a school and do a presentation, a skit or lead a baraza, seeing a child hold a writing tool and write letters or their name, read a word, create a car using objects and most recently witnessing the impact of the virtual learning program in my students. Teaching is truly a blessing.

My career in teaching began nine years ago when I had my second child. This was sparked by my interest to know more about children and their growth. The more I read, the more I became fascinated. My first course was in Management of Information Systems. I then enrolled for a certificate in Child Development and Education and that’s how my teaching career started. I later went back to do a Diploma on the same. It was amazing, Children are amazing.

 

 

Adapting to change

 

When the announcement was made that schools would close in March, it didn’t seem so serious at the time. We thought it would only be a few days or weeks. It took a different turn and it felt so surreal. Not being able to interact with your students on a personal level is not easy. Having to shelve the goals you have on student growth especially when it comes to skills such as building collaboration was also not easy.

But just like with all circumstances in life, we must learn to adapt. As a school, we decided to make the switch to online learning. Being an innovative school we were able to adapt so well and so quickly to virtual learning. All teachers have laptops and are tech-savvy which came in handy as we made the switch to online learning.

Virtual learning means putting in more effort at connecting with your students as they won’t be seeing you the whole day as they have been used to. It also involves ensuring values and virtues are instilled so they can continue the good behaviour at home, connecting more with their parents and creating content that they can understand and work on with minimal supervision. It’s a whole new level of growth for both teachers and students and I have fully embraced it albeit, I  miss my homeroom.

 

Helping learners get on board

 

My students found it hard to understand why they needed to stay home because all they wanted was to come to school. We had to take time to really explain and make them understand why they couldn’t come to school or spend time with their teachers and friends. It is important to us that we empower our students with all the necessary information on current happenings.

We did a lot of educating on coronavirus as well, and preventive measures. The school counselor also prepares weekly bulletins to help students manage different challenges during this period and it’s going on well.

In the beginning, there were some challenges as both teachers and learners adapted to virtual learning. One of the challenges was classroom management, use of technology for the students and finding a balance with the parents especially those with young ones who need close supervision, for both parents working from home and those leaving for work.

Another challenge is not having all your students for a meeting and especially if it’s a meeting where you want to set expectations for the week, talk about a value that needs to be lived out that week and a culture principle to be shown at home.

 

Timetables and Schedules 

 

For the lesson delivery of our virtual learning program,  I go through the lesson plan and internalize it. I then check on what I need like props and prepare a background or realia for the lesson.

I then prepare a powerpoint that I can share with the students during the lesson and we go through it with my line manager to see if there are any additions or omissions that I can make for excellence. The powerpoint in my case has to be child friendly with relevant videos and images as I prepare lessons for 4-5 year olds.

After that, I do a recording of my lesson using zoom and then upload it to google classroom where all students can access it.

We have our morning meetings with the students via zoom for 30 minutes from 9 am. This is where we set expectations and introduce topics and themes for the week.

Students then access lessons via google classroom and these are pre-recorded for ease of access at any time during the day. We also have live lessons that run through the day with breaks in between for the upper grades.

 

Impact of Virtual learning

 

Virtual learning as I said before is a blessing. There has been tremendous growth in our students especially in regards to technology. 

Some students are able to log in to their classroom or own meetings and join with minimal supervision. We have students uploading work and submitting assignments on google classrooms. This has made us realize that our students are go-getters, problem solvers and true innovators.

Students have also learnt to be self- managers and this is where our weekly values come in. They want to show integrity, responsibility and honesty so they do their work even in the absence of their parents especially those who are away at work.

And for a primary school student to be able to join an online class, work on assignment and submit it via google classroom, that is a great achievement. It means we are truly getting it right when it comes to developing a school of innovators and leaders.

 

Adapting & learning at the same time

 

Online learning has come with some great advantages as well. I have noticed that my students have adapted some skills that they would not necessarily have easily grasped within the normal classroom set up.

 

Time management skills: Being at home means a lot of distractions and for students to adhere to the strict timetables set is an achievement. Being able to log into a meeting or online class ,find time to do assignments and submit before the deadline and not getting distracted by things like TV and movies is real growth.

Technology: Students being able to log into meetings, learning to use the mute and unmute feature when answering questions, learning to put their hand up if they have a point to put across or if they want to answer a question, submitting work online. These are real achievements that students have come to learn as they adapt to online learning. 

The other day a student asked if I could log into my computer and see her helping her aunt to bake a cake. I was so impressed because this is a four year old who already knows that nothing is impossible when it comes to technology. Of course, I enjoyed watching her cook as she explained to me everything that she was doing.

 

What we have achieved so far

 

Continued learning : Our students have been able to learn and gain more knowledge despite the pandemic. We have had great projects going on ,built reading skills, had fitness programs and the list is endless.

 

Keeping connections alive: I can’t imagine not being able to connect to my students for such a long time. Virtual learning had enabled this and it’s been amazing.       

                                                                                                 

Close parent-teacher interactions: We have managed to connect more with parents due to virtual learning and this helps us understand students’ background. Getting to know each other and build relationships and connections which are in turn beneficial to the students.

 

Favorite Moments

 

Students enjoy the live meetings, seeing their friends and being able to ask and answer questions from home.

Some students are also happy to be spending more time with their parents and while initially it was difficult because of ‘My teacher doesn’t do it like that’ syndrome, they have become accustomed to it and are now happier.

Students also love the projects that they get to do at home. Two weeks ago we tasked them with creating a weather chart, recording weather for the day and becoming a meteorologist. At the end of the week, they were required to give a report of the week’s weather. They were quite excited about it.

The idea of having their own email addresses has also been well received ,the independence that comes with owning your own address where you can log in and access lessons as well as submit assignments.

I am remarkably proud of our students, on the Joy of Learning & High Expectations exhibited from the inception of our virtual learning program up until now. They are truly the future innovators and leaders that will shape the continent.

It’s hard to get to terms with the fact that we are way past the half-year mark in 2020. There are literally four full months left for us to find our way into 2021. Whether or not most of us persevered through our new goals for the year is a whole other conversation that we can tackle later. There lies a deeper, much more comprehensive question about our relationship with perseverance, fortitude and ability to remain consistent in holding ourselves accountable. In this session of Nova Pioneer connect we speak with our educators and parents on how they are building grit during trying times.  

On our previous episode of Nova Pioneer Connect, we had a heartfelt conversation with our Resident School Counsellors, Sophie (NP, ELdoret Kenya) and Christian (NP, Ormonde SA) about grit from a mental health perspective and how we can build healthy habits around allowing ourselves to flex and grow our grit muscles. 

Ethan (NP, Tatu Boys, F3) and Sinovuyo (NP, Ormonde, Grade 10) touched on their personal experiences flexing their grit muscles the past few months. We were also blessed to have a parent, Mr. Titi (NP, Ormonde) gave us a much needed parent’s perspective on supporting a child and useful tools parents can use to affirm their children and themselves to emerging stronger by building grit during trying times. 

Click on the link below to watch a recording of the session.

 

With the necessity of social distancing in the time of Covid, it is important to offer students avenues for learning to continue so that learning loss can be curbed – because even with schools closed, learning must continue.

As an educator, I miss being in our schools and interacting with our students. Hearing laughter in class and along the corridors as I watch students explore their individual interests.

However, the reality is that Covid-19 has presented the unimaginable for teachers and learners across the world.

 

Keeping up with the rest of the world

International organisations that work to safeguard the rights of children such as Save the Children, UNICEF, Plan International and many others have come together and given recommendations on finding ways to keep children safe and learning during and after Covid-19 crisis.

Many of the current estimates of learning loss from COVID-19 already present a worrying picture for young Africans.

Our colleagues at the Brookings Institution and the World Bank estimate that, with just four months of lost schooling and little change in the quality of education, the lifetime earnings of today’s students in the United States will be greatly reduced, representing a loss of nearly 13 percent of U.S. GDP over subsequent generations.

What might that look like for us as Kenyans? What ripple impact will that cause for us? This is a global challenge and we therefore can’t ignore what statistics from across the globe indicate.

At Nova Pioneer, we believe it is our duty as educators to still forge forward, despite existing challenges, so students experience as minimal disruption as possible.

We are committed to staying up to date with what the rest of the world is doing in matters education so your children, our students, are well-equipped to solve real world problems.

 

 

Introducing a Virtual Learning Programme

At Nova Pioneer, we decided to design and offer a Virtual Learning Programme to families for two reasons:

1. so our students experience minimal learning loss during this time while they are physically away from campus; and
2. to help students retain some form of normalcy by providing them the opportunity to connect with teachers and other students, giving them a sense of connection amidst all the changes they are experiencing.

We believe that keeping children engaged in meaningful learning experiences while at home during this time, will help them improve and maintain the skills they need for once they are back in the classroom.

 

We have made the switch 

Our Virtual Learning Programme has been designed to ensure learning milestones are achieved and offers children the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve so that they are ready to begin the 2021 school year feeling confident and prepared to do well.

The programme is structured to run in three consecutive 4-week periods, spanning a total of 3 months and starting 7 September.

It also offers parents flexibility to choose preferred classes and activities. The programme comprises of three blocks a day and they focus on [1] Academic Mastery, [2] developing Innovation and Leadership Skills and [3] participating in Enrichment activities. Families can select up to two classes from each of the blocks.

See the full course catalogue

 

Why should you make the switch?

The Virtual Learning Programme offers parents flexibility. It’s not a one size fits all. You decide what you want your child to focus on.

You may want your child to (1) improve and master their academic skills; (2) develop their character and entrepreneurial skills; (3) Or cultivate skills in new areas. The programme offers the opportunity to opt into classes and courses that appeal most to you and your child.

The programme is aimed at encouraging students to:

1. adapt to a new way of learning;
2. connect with students beyond our national borders through cross geo classes with peers from South Africa and  Korea through a virtual exchange programme;
3. continuously reflect on their own personal development; and
4. contribute to finding solutions to real world problems through projects set out in their classes.

 

Academic Classes

Our Academic classes encourage inquiry instruction, critical thinking, project based learning, independent learning and self-discovery. Our teachers are well trained to deliver the curriculum in a fun and interactive virtual environment. 

 

Innovation & Leadership Classes

In our Hallmark classes, we focus on ensuring that our students are learning to think and behave like innovators and leaders. Students are given the opportunity to develop their character and entrepreneurship skills at an early age. Students are exposed early to finance and savings and learn about African history as they grow to become our leaders of today. In these classes, students gain an appreciation for research and analytical thinking as they explore solutions to problems that they observe, and test them with their peers and in the community.

 

Enrichment Classes

Our Enrichment classes are designed to allow our students to focus on skill based classes that they are personally passionate about in a fun and interactive manner. Skills from art and drawing to public speaking, digital literacy and many more.  

Students can cultivate skills in new areas, explore and develop their interests and ultimately strengthen their values while gaining skills that go beyond the classroom walls. Enrichment classes allow students to use Math to calculate measurements in plants, Geography when learning about Bible characters and the value of collaboration through group Music lessons. 

 

Speak to our Admissions Team

Are you ready to take this journey with us and start your child’s application process to enrol into our Virtual Learning Programme? We will work with you closely to ensure your questions are answered and that your child’s application is submitted.  Complete this form and we will reach out to you!

My friend John Nderitu a classmate, a brother and my final roommate at Nova Pioneer took a moment to share with me all the memories he had at the Yale Young Global Scholars, YYGS program that he was fortunate enough to attend in June-July of 2019 and I couldn’t help but put myself in his shoes and feel what he felt and see the things he saw. I wanted to go beyond imagining it to actually experiencing it in person and so I did.

 

Landing on YYGS

 

I vividly remember sitting with him in the student lounge and planning my summer plans as I looked towards challenging myself academically and treating myself to an amazing experience in the summer of my junior year at Hillcrest. We explored several summer programs from prestigious universities all over the world. The caliber of the Harvards and Oxfords of the world. It was a thrill. I even remember emailing them personally to ask specific questions about the program. 

For me, the single most important factor was financial aid. The programs we encountered were amazing but very expensive and so we settled on YYGS. They are a world re-known program with tailored experiences for every student depending on their interests and most importantly they offer need-based financial aid.

There were two options when applying for the program: Early Action and Regular Decision. I definitely went for the early action choice in which you apply as soon as the portal opens and submit your application earlier (by November 12th) and are notified by December 22nd of your application status. I applied through October, balancing my KCSE preparation with my new found love- the YYGS program. I submitted my application and was notified by December that I was accepted to the program with a very sweet financial package.

 

Adapting to Change

 

Ideally, the program would take place at the Yale University for two weeks and that is what we all expected to happen but as we got closer and closer to the start of the program in June, we all prayed that the program would not get cancelled. By we I speak for myself and all the amazing friends all over the world that I made through our WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms. Fortunately, they managed to keep the program afloat and unveiled the first ever YYGS Connect program– shifting the entire on campus experience online. 

The program was split into two sessions AM and PM according to your time zone. I was in the AM session and the program would start from 2pm to 7:30pm every day. The YYGS experience consisted of five key components every day: Family Time – where you get to spend time in smaller groups with your new friends, Seminars – where we experienced short lectures in our different tracks according to our different interests, Simulation – where we actively applied all we were learning in the program to solve an active problem in our different societies, Lectures – where we had professors and other highly qualified staff address certain topics from climate change to economics and energy sustainability and the Impact Panels and OAYs (Opportunities Across Yale)  – where they brought together YYGS alum, Yale University Staff and other young entrepreneurs to help us think through making an impact in our different societies and guiding us on how to navigate those spaces and taking us through different Opportunities Across Yale.

 

Key Takeaways

 

Throughout the two-week program my insatiable curiosity was put to the test but most importantly, I look back and appreciate all the amazing connections made and the people I met. People who challenged me and my thinking, future entrepreneurs, doctors, policy makers, scientists, artists and generally people who are passionate about whatever it is they have put their mind to and people who want to influence their communities and change the world and I am proud to be part of this team and to have had this experience with them.

 

Behind every great school is a team of passionate educators leading it forward and most times, we rarely get the opportunity to hear from these profound individuals who ensure that our students receive adequate support while in school. We always aim to provide a platform for our prospective families to interact with our learning team as they prepare to join us in the new year and one of them being a virtual meet and greet with our Eldoret principals.

On Saturday, 25th July 2020, the Nova Pioneer Secondary -Eldoret campus hosted its first ever virtual school leader meet & greet. The session gave prospective families an opportunity to learn more about Nova Pioneer’s unique learning environment through its founding school leaders. This is an annual event that is hosted across all our campuses for our prospective parents to interact with our learning team and some of our current students.

The session was graced by Andrew Meraba who leads the Nova Pioneer Boys Secondary – Eldoret and has decades of teaching experience in various capacities and also Martha Tubei who leads the Nova Pioneer Girls Secondary – Eldoret. She has over 29 years years of experience teaching at different capacities within Kenya. They’ve both been part of the Nova Pioneer Eldoret community ever since its inception in January 2020. 

During the virtual meet and greet, they highlighted some of the ways we collaborate with families in shaping Africa through innovation and leadership and how we are preparing our students for the new normal by shifting mindsets. 

Click on the link below to watch the complete recording.

 

Contact Us

 

Have any questions about the Eldoret campus? Feel free to contact Sheilla via 0703421670 or send as an email on admissions.ke@novapioneer.com

The COVID-19 is a unique pandemic that led to the closure of schools. As educators, we had a need to stay connected to the learners as well as develop a reading culture focused on the three main languages taught at school i.e English, Kiswahili & French. This gave rise to the Raising Readers program- an evening reading program that takes place every week in an effort to build and promote a reading culture in our learners.

The reading program focuses on nurturing a learner’s listening and comprehension skills. 

We facilitate student learning and imagination online by sharing colourful pictures, engaging stories by our best readers. There is an emphasis on drawing language patterns and simplifying complex concepts for students.

 

During these sessions, our learners are taken through a guided reading session that tests both their listening and comprehension skills. Once the reading is done, the learners go through a series of questions to gauge their understanding.

Each learner is then given an opportunity to answer questions and the rest of the class would appreciate their classmate through some snaps. This is also a great way to boost the learner’s confidence in the classroom.

It’s a joy to see students smiling curiously through the stories and participating fully. We look forward to hosting more of these events where we can promote a reading culture in our young ones from an early age.

This lockdown period was unexpected, unprecedented and for many, unfortunate. But through this period our parents, each in their own way have allowed for us to learn far and beyond that which we learn on our daily zoom calls. Below are some invaluable lessons my friends and I have learnt from our parents during this period.

 

Valuable lessons 

 

Despite the situation at hand, never use anything as an excuse to do nothing. Use this opportunity to venture into new things and work hard because opportunity knocks once. – Njoki 

I have learnt that my dad could do household chores and that my mum is a really good cook. But most of all, I have learnt that they both don’t enjoy being in the house for long periods of time.- Fiona 

They have taught me that each morning when you feel like lying in bed all day remember what you are trying to achieve at the end of the day. Give yourself a break from time to time. Give your mind a break. Connect with the people around you, your family and friends. And most importantly, take care of yourself: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. – Ann

Optimism! On some of my lowest days they taught me to look for the light. Perseverance! On the days when I wanted to give up they taught me to keep pushing even when the results don’t come immediately. I’ve learnt that somehow things will work out and if I stop pushing, then I’ll never get to see the possibilities that lie in store for me.- Theru

To keep going, no matter the circumstance. I’ve watched both my parents, especially my mum, make it work, albeit tough circumstances. I watch them try, as much as possible, to ensure that both me and my sister have all our needs attended to, which I have seen to motivate them. And this has made me incredibly proud of them. – Chelsy 

It’s not worth it to feel good today at the expense of tomorrow, neither is it worth it to cry forever and keep holding on to the hope of a smile in the future. That I should think about my future and not lose focus on my passion. To live in the moment but to think of tomorrow as well. – Jasmine 

The importance of adaptability and balance in one’s life – how adapting to different situations has an effect on your work and your life. Balancing work and family which is essential. I appreciate greatly the untimely opportunity to spend time with my family and learn new things from my family. – Paula 

During this time my mum has been tackling household work, taking care of her children while still working from home, which has shown me the importance of hard work. I acknowledge that many of the things my parents provide for me, they worked hard for, and I am beyond grateful for their effort. Watching my mum gives me the strength I need to work hard so I can provide for my future family and later take care of my parents the way they cared for me. – Esther 

I’ve learned that as much as children are a reflection of our parents, we are in many ways different and as much as we also share certain traits we have evolved into completely different human beings that are products of our environment and our nature. So as much as they are our parents, we will argue and differ which is completely in order. – Shirleen

I have learned how to choose my battles with them. Petty issues that we would normally fight over like who does chores and when, have been deemed irrelevant. As seeing how hard they work from home to provide the basic necessities and luxuries has made me appreciate what they do and want to take up more responsibilities to ease the weight off their shoulders. We have bonded through games and pushed each other to achieve our goals. With motivation being lower than usual during this time and the world being full of uncertainties, my parents have kept me in check as their motivation inspires me. – Mutanu 

Quarantine has been a time to reflect and learn. To learn more about my parents and to learn more about myself. I learnt that our family wouldn’t make the greatest choir but I also learned the importance of hard work and perseverance. I learnt a great deal of compassion as they gave knowing that the well could run dry. My mother said “You give not because you have excess, but because someone else needs your help.” – Imani

I have learned that my parents, my parents are not superheroes. My parents worry, they struggle, they have flaws and they feel. My parents are human. – Shakira 

I have learned the importance of selfishness in selflessness. I have learned that to give you must also draw from the well in which you pour. I have learned that in working towards my dreams and ambitions I must care as well for myself. My mum says I am ‘ intense’ but in a good way, that I am devoted and selfless but often I forget to be selfish and in that moment I lose sight of what I want and get caught up in the when’s and the how’s. So the greatest lesson my parents have taught me during this lock down period is to take care of myself amidst taking care of others. – Wairimu 

13 people, 13 families and a lifetime of lessons. We understand now more than ever that parenting does not come with a manual and each of them strives to do their best with no set guidelines and we will forever be grateful for the guidance they provide to us, even as they drive blind. 

COVID-19 pandemic brought the education sector and many other annual programs across the world to a stand still. With time, we have had to learn to adapt to the changes and embrace technology to achieve our daily work and educational expectations.

Throughout this period, our students have demonstrated to be true Leaders and Innovators by embracing virtual learning, engaging in virtual competitions and participating in annual programs.

In this respect, we wish to celebrate one of our Form 3 students, Serena Rolloh, who has been participating in Yale Young Global Scholars Program, 2020, YYGS Connect. Last year we had three of our students participate in the program.

This year’s program was held virtually, running from July 5 – July 17, 2020. Serena is one of 1,235 high school juniors from 131 countries and 47 US states and territories able to join the first ever session of YYGS Connect. During the two weeks program, Serena engaged in an intensive and interactive sessions that covered the following areas:

• Applied Science & Engineering/Biological & Biomedical Science (ASE/BBS)
• Literature, Philosophy & Culture (LPC)
• Politics, Law & Economics (PLE)
• Solving Global Challenges (SGC)

Despite the huge time difference, Serena braced the challenge and had to adapt to attending the session in the night and having to rest during the day. She took the challenge with a growth mindset focused on the value of experience to push through the program. Serena was delighted to have participated in this year program and shared with us her reflections:

 

The YYGS Virtual Connect Experience

 

 “Being a part of the program this year has been an eye opening experience for me. Engaging with peers in a culturally diverse environment has allowed me to witness realities that are different from mine. This experience has really pushed me to question my perspectives and has given me the hunger to discover and learn from others. The exposure to a new environment has driven me to adapt new values and become more self-aware. I think all in all this experience enabled me to evolve as a member of the global community.” 

 

Key Takeaway from YYGS Connect, 2020 

 

“Attending the session has helped me think critically about issues that affect not only those in my community but all around the world. I have been able to empathize with others and really understand that everyone goes through struggles.

The experience has greatly shaped the way I look at political, social and economic influences in our daily lives, and how they interconnect.

Constant self-reflection has helped me find a way to respond appropriately in times of unavoidable challenges such as this pandemic; to be flexible and open to evolution.”

We are proud of the efforts our students are putting to propel themselves to international standards by taking opportunities to apply for such great programs. Yale Young Global Scholars Program is an annual program aimed at providing opportunities to students in high school to make global connections and explore their interest in their global issues.

We encourage our students to apply to such programs to ensure that they enhance their progress towards becoming locally rooted global citizens, who will shape the African Century.