Live, Learn, & Think

History of the school

Gentiana primary school was started early 90's in the year 1994 by Sponsors from Swiss support organizations and Gentiana development Network . It's situated at Kawagware slums mainly to help less children with learning difficulties and those that come from needy families. The school came to be known because some children from the area did not get opportunity to be in school. guardians could not afford to pay school fees for their children to learn in public schools.

In the year 2006 well wishers from Switzerland donated money which constructed Gentiana primary school and moved from muddy place to the newly built premises. The school host 240 students in total, classes are divided from class 1-8. Some classes are divided into two streams each with 15-20 students.

Some children are brought up by single mothers and living conditions to some is very difficult. The school always offers porridge at break time and lunch to equalize all students. School programs are extended up to holidays for 2 weeks and reason for this, children are being provided with lunch.

Challenges

The Gentiana school has come far as in 90's pupils used to learn in iron sheet classes and the compound was so congested with muddy in rainy seasons. The School experienced some problems because some children joined the school empty heads and that the work of teachers was to make sure student are at least equal.

Impact to the community and student

Over the years Gentiana primary school has been performing well in final examinations. People who are well off have been coming to bring their children yet the school is meant for needy children who need help. The school has been giving extra curricular activities to students like school choir, scout, karate group that have made people out side to be interested since not all school have extra activities performed like in Gentiana school. One of the greatest encouragement is that the school choir has managed to go up to the Nationals defeating other well know schools in Nairobi.

This promote Student to be self confidence and to get know their talents. When they interact among themselves, they are able to speak up clearly, listen and solve disagreement wisely rather striking.

Type of Education

Gentiana Primary School has qualified and committed teachers who are always ready to help children with learning difficulties . The teachers are fully trained from appropriate colleges and on top of that they have good spirit of handling children with disabilities. The school practices learning interactively (groups) and this help independent work and among individuals with a common interest to assist one another.

Other than the recommended system of education (8.4.4) student involves themselves with various extra curriculum such as sports, guidance and counseling, social activities and music which promote student to build self confidence among themselves and to be able discover the talents.

Benefits

Most of the children's have lost their parents or guardians and this affects them emotionally. The school has trained teachers to take care of such children by guiding them. Children are been taught how to socialize and stay with other people. The school organizes for counseling once per team.

The School also offers scholarships for good performing students (class 8) to secondary School and also up to the University if they also perform well in their high School Education. This has contributed greatly to the well being of the students and the whole community at large, since, this students eventually come back to the rural areas to impact others with what they do have, hence encouraging fellow students to have the desire to study.

The Chairman of the school also thought of another good idea of starting a technical school so as those students who did not manage to go to high school or college could join this technical class that offers very nice and quality skills. Since the technical school started there has been quite a lot of great impact to the community since the course is meant to enhance the students with personal skills that one can use any where.

For more information of the technical school please visit the following link: http://gentianatechnicalinstitute.blogspot.com