NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept. 4 – The Java Foundation has called for closer collaboration between schools and companies to help young learners develop leadership and other skills needed in the workplace.
The foundation made the call during the launch of its Kuza Mentorship Manual, a Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)-approved guide for mentors working with learners in Grades 6 to 9.
Speaking at the launch at Dagoretti North School, Java House Group Chief Executive Officer Priscilla Gathungu said schools needed support from companies as workplace requirements continued to change.
“Schools are doing a great job imparting knowledge, and they are doing it under enormous pressure. We cannot expect them to prepare our children for the future without help,” Gathungu said.
She said companies could share their experience with schools through structured mentorship programmes.
The manual builds on the Java Foundation’s Kuza Mentorship Programme, which provides learners with life skills and exposure to career, leadership and talent development opportunities.
The foundation also runs other community programmes, including a partnership with Food For Education that provides daily lunches to more than 3,000 schoolchildren.
The beneficiaries include pupils at Dagoretti North School and Ngunyumu School in Korogocho, as well as students at Kibos School for the Blind in Kisumu.
