The Centre for Character and Leadership (CCL) was privileged to conduct a one-day leadership training to a group of over 50 members of the student council from Ofafa Jericho High School. The school is located in Makadara Sub-County with a population of over 1000 learners. The mission of the school is to provide quality education services that meet the needs of the learners guided by the values of commitment, fairness, professionalism, integrity and excellence. Since an empowered leader tends to be an effective leader, schools’ leadership trainings are important as they help the student council members to become more effective while carrying out their duties and responsibilities. It is important to offer student leaders the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to lead as their success greatly impacts the culture and performance of their schools.
CCL leadership program for the members of student council provides sessions that are geared to develop their leadership skills based on servant- leadership model – a leadership philosophy that prioritizes ethical decision making, the building of community and the optimal development of all involved. The Student councils in schools are an extension of school management roles. The elected members of the student councils act as an eye or a link between the administration, teachers and students. They support in the development and maintenance of a conducive environment for learning within the school community.
During the training, students were engaged through interactive and educative sessions which included servant leadership and virtue development, role of student leaders in supporting school management as well as managing and resolving conflicts in schools. For instance, the facilitator led the participants on a virtue-reflection exercise where individually, they were able to identify character traits that are most and least developed within the self and eventually develop an improvement plan. He urged them to strive in developing character traits which will enhance the development of their character and leadership capacity. The character traits included: humility, courage, self-control, compassion, kindness, responsibility, sacrifice, respect, thankfulness and perseverance among others.
In addition, the facilitators led the students through cooperative learning where students were assigned specific tasks to discuss and present their work as a team. The tasks included developing the roles of School Captain and his deputies, Class prefects, Academic Perfects, Dormitory Prefects and Dining hall prefects among others. Further, the students were able to identify the issues which are affecting negatively their school culture and climate. The Council A cross section of Student Leaders engaging in a group activity was led in developing an implementation plan which will guide them while addressing the issues. For example, the Council unanimously agreed that if any student is caught with a stolen item, he will be required to make an apology during the school assembly. Other outcomes included enhancing the school reading culture and dismantling unnecessary peer groups.
The School Principal, Mr. Linge assured the Council of his support and commitment in ensuring that they are able to effectively execute the action plan as he said “Commit all your plans to God, and you will succeed.”
The school Captain as he gave the vote of thanks said that “I have been reminded on some things that I have been slacking on and I will work to make myself better.’’
The training was facilitated by Peter King’ori and Gilda Waithira. Teachers who were in attendance included Mrs. Thuranira and Mrs. Musembi among others.