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Limited resources should not compromise academic excellence: First Lady

Students of Alliance Girls High School present a gift to First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. Photo/ PSCU

Students of Alliance Girls High School present a gift to First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. Photo/ PSCU

KIKUYU, Kenya, Feb 6 – First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has asked stakeholders in education to ensure that challenges of limited resources do not compromise academic excellence in schools.

She however recognized that the national schools like Alliance Girls are facing heavy challenges and pressure occasioned by increased enrolment which puts significant stress to the existing facilities and infrastructure.

The First Lady spoke when she flagged off the Great Alliance Girls (High School) Walk today aimed at raising funds for the expansion of the school’s chapel, first constructed in 1959 with a capacity for 800 students and teachers.

The enrolment of the 68-year-old school has grown rapidly over the last five years and now stands at over 1500 students, necessitating the expansion of the institution’s facilities.

The First Lady said one of the endearing values of Alliance Girls High School is that it offers learning opportunities to students from poor backgrounds who are unable to pay for their studies, thus giving them an opportunity to realize their full potential.

As such, she said, noble causes aimed at the refurbishment and expansion of facilities at the school should be supported by all.

“We must support this special value and make it possible for our girls to get an education from this prestigious school”, she said.

The First Lady said the Alliance Girls Walk initiative appeals to the Kenyans culture of giving and philanthropy “ which I have experienced for my flagship campaign Beyond Zero and the upcoming First Lady’s Half Marathon event, scheduled to take place on March 6 ”.

The First Lady praised the Alliance Girls for continually living to its fame as a centre of excellence that graduates well- rounded students who later occupy leadership positions not only in Kenya but Africa and beyond.

“Thousands of girls have graduated from Alliance, and are today making great contributions to the country’s national development. Many of these women are identified as ‘Firsts’- breaking unseen barriers- serving in cabinet positions, permanent secretaries and heads of civil service”, she said.

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Other graduates from the school are renowned educationalists, physicians and leaders in institutions of higher learning, added the First Lady.

She also recognized the strong influence of the School based on its strong Christian foundation and an all rounded holistic educational experience.

The First Lady is the patron of the school that was founded by the Scottish missionraies in 1948, as the premier African Girls High School in Kenya for the African girl child.

At that time, the girls were drawn from diverse geographical, social and economic backgrounds in Kenya and neighboring East African countries.

Others who spoke at the function included Principal Secretary for Education Dr. Bellio Kipsang, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Board of Management chairman, and Principal Secretary for Energy Engineer Joseph Njoroge and School Principal Mrs Dorothy Kamwilu.

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