Nakuru-based Melvin Jones Lions Academy has recorded the best ever results at the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) recently released results.

Established in 1991 by the Lions Club of Nakuru, part of the Lions International, a global charity organization, it is part of the complex of the three sister-schools sponsored by the Lions Club of Nakuru-Lions Nursery and Lions primary School, the other two.

Initially hosted in the premises of Lions primary, it moved into the present stable in 1993.

The objective of the school was to give back to the community, as a form of extending the charity work. From the inception, with handful students to its current population of about 500 students, the school has grown in lips and bounds.

While academics remain the school’s forte, it has produced top performers in the Cambridge Assessment International Examinations. In 2016, the school produced the best student in the world in the IGCSE (O’ Level) examinations, Manraj Singh.

This was a culmination of the excellent performances the school had set before. And, in the just released May/June 2021 results, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the school continued its stellar performance, producing scintillating results.

Below is how the school performed in the recently released results under the International General Certificate of Secondary Education(IGCSE).

IGCSE

Arpit Srivastav 10 A*

Prem Patel  9 A*

Stephanie Muthoni  7A*  2A

AS/A LEVEL

Ambar Chakaraborty  3A*

Dharit Patel   2A* 1A

Njuguna Njonjo 3A

 

The performance from these candidates, according to the Principal, Mr. Robinson Alianda, is “the best ever at IGCSE”.

Alianda, who spoke to Nakurunews.co.ke, attributed the excellent performance to the synergy of purpose among all the stakeholders.

“We have recorded the best ever results at the IGCSE. This can only be attributed to the teamwork of staff, candidate’s resolve, hard work and sheer determination to push beyond the limits, notwithstanding the robust School Board of Management support” stated Alianda.

The school has emerged as the prime destination for parents looking for quality, reliable and yet; affordable international education.

According to the Principal, The National Curriculum of England and Wales is taught in the school with competent and well qualified teachers, with experience spanning many years. Children join the school in year 1 at about seven years of age and complete the full course in year 13 (A ‘Levels) at about age 18.

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) is the examinations body.  At the end of the course, the children Join local or International universities.

Alianda added that the school will continue punching above its weight.

“We will continue to unapologetically set high and attainable standards to our students, because we know, with proper scaffolding they are achievable” he affirmed.

There has been a strong and ever-increasing demand for the British National Curriculum education in Nakuru town and the country at large.

This is the gap in the market that Melvin Jones Lions Academy has been able to fill and with an expanding middle class within Nakuru town-to be elevated to city status soon—the insatiable appetite for this curriculum is bound to continue.

Within the town and its environs, and apart from Melvin Jones Lions Academy, the other schools offering the international curriculum are; Mustard Seeds International School, Shah Lalji Nangpar Academy and Greensteds International school.

While lauding the British National Curriculum for laying emphasis on the development of key competencies right at early years,Mr Alianda revealed that it is on this platform that the school has been able to nurture critical thinkers, excellent communicators and problem solvers.

“Children of the Academy stand out from the crowd when articulating issues. Holistic education is fully buttressed in the system and as well as the academics, extra and co-curricular activities are given prominence” he said.

It should be noted that from 2018 to 2019, the school produced Little Mr. and Miss Kenya, Prince Fortune and Regyn Hope respectively. They went ahead to win major international beauty contests held in Greece and Thailand.

Youth have been urged to wake up from slumber and take up an active role in shaping the politics of the country towards 2022.

Nakuru Youth Bunge President Philip Ng’ok argued that youth are the majority but have continued to be derailed back by non-issues and not taking up their space in counties as well as national politics.

Speaking in Nakuru on Tuesday during a people’s assembly convened by MIDRIFT Human Rights Network ahead of Katiba Day celebrations, Ng’ok reminded the youth of the opportunity available ahead of 2022.

According to the Youth Bunge President, youth should avoid singing and swinging in the euphoria of politics.

“I want to tell the youths of this country that they have the opportunity to set the ground for the future ahead of the 2022 elections. Let us also participate in electing leaders who are able to champion our interests” said Ng’ok.

On the issue of BBI that was thrown out by the High Court as well as the Court of Appeal for not meeting the legal threshold, Ng’ok noted that there were some good aspects that not necessarily needed referendum.

He was however quick to note that the approach used by the proponents of the BBI is what led to it hitting a snag.

Ng’ok called on the government and Kenyans at large to start thinking on Building Virtues and Values in what he termed as ‘Building Virtues Initiative’.

According to him, Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Integrity was watered down by the political class hence the need to start rebuilding the same.

“There are few good things that the BBI was to address but the approach was questionable. I think as a country it’s high time we start building virtues and values” said Ng’ok.

Human Rights Defenders and Constitution champions in Nakuru County have urged the national government to stop muzzling Constitutional Independent Institutions.

The groups believe that the executive has in one way or another tried to silence the Independent Institutions that were created by the Constitution 2010.

Midrift Human Rights Network Chief Executive Officer Mr Joseph Omondi pointed out the attempt by the government to deny proper funding to these Institutions has continued to derail the spirit of Constitutionalism.

Speaking in Nakuru on Tuesday during a Pre-Katiba Day Meeting, Omondi called on the national government to adhere to the constitution and empower the independent institutions for better governance to be realized.

He called on Legislators to work extra hard in ensuring also that the people who are appointed to run the independent institutions are the right people and not government sycophants.

“The Independent institutions need to up and exercise their powers as enshrined in the Constitution. What we are seeing currently is that these bodies have been captured by the executive which is wrong. Let Parliament also help us in ensuring those who are vetted to run the Independent institutions are the right people” said Omondi.

These even as Kenyans look forward to on Friday celebrate 11 years since the promulgation of the 2010 constitution.

Omondi noted that the Constitution is very clear on the sovereign power of the people who have the mandate to protect the Supremacy of the Constitution.

According to him, the High Court and the Court of Appeal have pronounced themselves on the referendum issue and that since Kenyans were not involved then their Sovereign power was contravened.

“As a society, we can also make sure that whenever something happens we come out and condemn it. Articles 1 and 3 are very clear and the High Court, as well as the Court of Appeal, have pronounced themselves on this matter that if we the people are not involved then the process is unconstitutional” stated Omondi.

Sentiments echoed by Vincent Tanui from the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) who said a major challenge in the country is endemic corruption.

Tanui noted the lack of political goodwill as a hindrance in the fight against corruption in the country hence called on Kenyans to remain alert and protect the constitution from being defiled by the political class.

“We still have endemic corruption in this country that has continued to deny us services. As Kenyans we need to ensure better governance and protect our constitution” said Tanui.

However, David Kuria from Nakuru Human Rights Network is of the view that there has been quite a several progress since the promulgation of the constitution 2010.

Kuria who has been working closely with IPOA and IMLU in ensuring justice for the families who lost relatives through extra-judicial killings stated that political detentions are now a thing of the past.

He called on civil society and Kenyans of goodwill to also step up and defend the spirit of constitution implementation.

“I can say we have seen some progress since 2010. We however still need to do more in terms of implementation of the constitution” said Kuria.

Zipporah Mumbi from Heaven of Dreams Organization, on her part, called for the need to ensure gender rule.

According to her, lack of information, ignorance and lack of political goodwill have continued to remain key barriers in achieving the two-third gender rule.

“As much as we celebrate 11 years of the constitution, we cannot hide from the fact that we are yet to achieve gender rule and we need to fight and ensure the same is achieved,” said Mumbi.