SHARP EDUCATION CENTRE & JUNIOR SCHOOL RECOGNISED FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE READINESS

Sharp Education Centre & Junior School recently received a prestigious national award from the Global Peace Foundation, earning recognition as one of Kenya’s great places to go to school. The school secured second position in the Career Development and Workforce Readiness category, recognising its effective implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE).

Speaking to the media after the event, the school’s Director, Dr. Paul K. Wanjohi, explained that career pathways and the development of competencies form an essential foundation for national development.

He observed that a country’s progress depends on its people’s ability to apply knowledge, produce goods, deliver services, solve problems and create opportunities. Education therefore carries a responsibility to help every learner discover their abilities and develop them into a meaningful contribution to society.

Career pathways give learning direction

Dr. Wanjohi explained that career guidance should go beyond asking children what they want to become. It should help them understand their interests, recognise their strengths, explore occupations and connect their learning with the demands of those occupations.

A learner interested in agriculture, for example, should begin to understand the connections between science, food production, technology, business and environmental conservation. A learner drawn to construction should appreciate the role of mathematics, design, craftsmanship, safety and teamwork. Those interested in healthcare should develop scientific understanding alongside compassion, communication and ethical judgment.

Such exposure helps learners make informed choices as they progress through school. It also broadens their understanding of success by showing them the value of professional, technical, vocational, creative and entrepreneurial careers.

He emphasised that Kenya needs people with different abilities working towards shared development goals. Engineers require skilled technicians and artisans to turn designs into functioning infrastructure. Healthcare depends on coordinated teams. Agriculture needs farmers, researchers, processors, transporters and entrepreneurs.

Every pathway deserves dignity, and every learner deserves guidance towards a pathway in which they can grow and contribute.

Competencies turn knowledge into productive ability

Dr. Wanjohi explained that a career aspiration becomes meaningful when it is supported by competence—the ability to apply knowledge, skills, attitudes and values effectively.

Knowing a scientific principle is valuable; using it to investigate a water problem makes that knowledge useful. Understanding mathematics matters; applying it to prepare a budget, measure materials or analyse business costs demonstrates competence.

He highlighted critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, digital literacy and self-management as abilities that support learners across different careers. These must be accompanied by integrity, responsibility and respect for others.

A technically skilled person who lacks honesty can undermine an institution. A knowledgeable person who cannot work with others may struggle to deliver results. National development therefore requires both capability and character.

Connecting education to community needs

Drawing from his central message, Dr. Wanjohi challenged schools to make community problems a starting point for purposeful learning.

Rather than studying only to obtain certificates, learners should be encouraged to observe their surroundings, ask questions, investigate challenges and propose practical responses. These could include water conservation, waste management, food production, accessible technology or improved services.

With guidance appropriate to their age, learners can undertake projects that require research, planning, budgeting, teamwork and evaluation. Through this process, they begin to understand how ideas become solutions and how solutions can create social and economic value.

He explained that enterprise should grow from identifying a genuine need and meeting it responsibly. Some solutions may become businesses; others may improve public services or strengthen community wellbeing.

A foundation for national development

Dr. Wanjohi noted that career pathways help build a clearer connection between education and the capabilities a nation needs. Competencies enable people to fulfil those roles effectively.

When learners receive sound guidance and practical preparation, they are better equipped to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen healthcare, build infrastructure, develop technology, grow enterprises and contribute to the creative economy.

However, he cautioned against placing the entire responsibility for employment on graduates. Schools need partnerships with families, businesses, training institutions, government and community organisations to provide mentorship, practical exposure and opportunities to apply learning.

He called for schools to engage local artisans, farmers, health professionals, entrepreneurs and other practitioners who can help learners see the relationship between classroom knowledge and everyday work.

For Sharp Education Centre & Junior School, the award reinforces the importance of preparing children for purposeful lives through early career awareness, practical competence and responsible citizenship.

Education serves national development when learners discover their strengths, develop the competence to use them and find opportunities to contribute.