- Sports and co-curricular activities help learners discover talents, build confidence and develop essential life skills.
- HTA Group Chairperson Maxwell Odhiambo says schools should nurture every learner beyond academic performance.
- Nearly 2,000 learners participated in the annual HTA Group of Schools’ Fun Day in Kericho.
Schools have been urged to embrace sports and other co-curricular activities as critical platforms for identifying and nurturing learners’ talents in line with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.
HTA Group Chairperson Maxwell Odhiambo said schools should provide learners with opportunities to develop abilities that may not be fully reflected through classroom performance.
“Every child has unique abilities. Through such activities, we give them an opportunity to showcase their talents, build teamwork and celebrate as one family,” Odhiambo said.
Speaking during the Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) Group of Schools’ annual Fun Day at Kericho Teachers Training College, he noted that sports expose learners to different experiences that help them discover their strengths while building discipline, resilience, leadership and teamwork.
Sports key to nurturing learners
According to Odhiambo, the Competency-Based Education curriculum seeks to develop the whole learner by recognising individual talents and providing opportunities for growth beyond academics.
“Competency-Based Education requires us to nurture every learner according to their abilities. Academic excellence alone is not enough. Through sports and other co-curricular activities, we are giving our learners an opportunity to discover their talents, build confidence, develop leadership skills and prepare for future careers,” he said.
The annual festival attracted 1,975 learners drawn from the three HTA schools, including 1,103 from HTA Kericho, 724 from HTA Brooke and 148 from HTA Chepsir, alongside 109 members of staff.
Learners competed in football, volleyball and netball in the Under-13 primary and Under-16 junior school categories, while parents and teachers faced off in exhibition matches aimed at strengthening collaboration between schools and families.
HTA Kericho dominated several events, defeating HTA Brooke 2-1 in the boys’ junior school football final through a brace by Breyden, while Emmanuel scored Brooke’s consolation goal.
The school also won the boys’ primary football title 3-0, the boys’ junior school volleyball competition and recorded an emphatic 11-2 victory in the boys’ junior school netball contest.
HTA Brooke clinched the girls’ junior school football title after edging HTA Kericho on penalties following a goalless draw.
In the exhibition matches, the parents’ men’s football team beat teachers 2-0 through goals by Jeremy and Rev. Meshack, while the teachers’ women’s side defeated parents 2-0 courtesy of Chelimo’s brace.
Partners recognised for support
Odhiambo thanked Kericho Teachers Training College for hosting the event, the National Police Service for providing security and facilitating the safe movement of participants, and parents and teachers for ensuring the event’s success.
He also acknowledged partners including ICEA Lions for donating 24 trophies and 72 medals, South Rift Hospital and Green View Hospital for medical support, Imarisha Sacco and Supa Loaf for supporting the event.
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Football competitions were coordinated by Erick Mutai, while HTA Kericho Head Felix Owino and HTA Brooke Head Phyllikise Ouma praised learners, teachers and parents for demonstrating discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
By Kimutai Langat
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