- Kadika Girls Chief Principal Roseline Ochieng has urged government and partners to increase investment in co‑curricular programmes, saying they are vital for nurturing learners’ talents and complementing academic excellence.
- Teachers highlighted the use of cultural activities to sensitise learners against harmful practices like FGM, while promoting girls’ education and discouraging early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Kadika Girls National School Chief Principal Roseline Ochieng has called on the government, development partners, and education stakeholders to step up support for co‑curricular programmes, saying they are vital in helping learners discover and nurture their talents.
Speaking during the school’s annual Cultural Fiesta, Ochieng noted that while parents and the Board of Management have continued to back such initiatives, more partners are needed to invest in programmes that promote holistic learning alongside academic excellence.
The event brought together students, teachers, and guests as learners showcased cultural diversity through traditional dances, modelling, music, poems, attire, and other performances. Ochieng said the festival has become a platform for appreciating Kenya’s rich heritage while fostering national cohesion, unity, tolerance, and mutual respect within the school community.
She added that the Competency‑Based Curriculum places emphasis on nurturing every learner’s unique abilities, and cultural festivals provide opportunities for students to demonstrate creativity, leadership, and talents beyond the classroom. According to her, investing in co‑curricular activities complements academic achievement by equipping learners with practical life skills, confidence, and teamwork.
English Literature teacher Sharon Magawe highlighted the role of cultural activities in sensitising learners against harmful practices. She explained that choral verses, plays, and poems are used to educate students and communities about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which persists in parts of Kuria, Kisii, and Turkana.
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Another teacher, Ms Melda, said the performances also advocate for girls’ education and encourage learners to reject early marriages and teenage pregnancies, which remain major contributors to school dropout among girls. “This platform enables our students to become ambassadors for positive social change by using art to educate their peers and communities,” she said.
Ochieng further observed that the annual fiesta has helped identify talented students, some of whom have gone on to pursue their skills at higher levels beyond the school. She stressed that cultural festivals are not just entertainment but a critical avenue for talent development and empowerment.
This year’s celebration was held on a larger scale following Kadika Girls’ elevation to national school status. The institution expanded the fiesta to reflect its new standing and provide learners with a bigger stage to showcase their talents and cultural diversity.
By Polycarp Ochieng
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