Explore many of our plans in the future to make Guardian Shining Stars Academy an even better place for everyone in their journey of growth and development. We need your support to make this happen!
1. School-wide Feeding Program
Some of the challenges that GSSA pupils face are poor diet as they struggle to pay for lunch and meals. Often times, they simply miss these meals. As a result, most pupils struggle to concentrate and learn in class. GSSA hopes to curb this challenge by introducing a school wide feeding program that will offer healthy lunch and break-time meals at the school. This program will offer food free-of-charge for every pupil – from little ones in the playgroup to teenagers studying in junior secondary.
2. Additional Devices for the Computer Lab
Due to our increasing number of students, our computer lab has proven to be packed and in high demand. GSSA seeks to provide additional resources (e.g. computers, projectors, speakers, and air conditioning) and expand the lab. We aim to a future where each student will have access to their own computer during the lessons. This will improve the learning experience of our pupils and equip them with the necessary digital skills approved by the Ministry of Education, whilst making it enjoyable to be hands-on and learn.
3. New Science Lab
As per the Ministry of Education’s requirements, Integrated Science, a subject taught in Junior Secondary School, requires a laboratory building. GSSA hopes to fulfill this requirement and wish by May 2024 to adhere to the Ministry’s notice. Junior Secondary at GSSA may need to stop should we fail to establish a science lab. By building a science lab that is well equipped to facilitate learning, not only will GSSA retain its students, GSSA will also be able to provide a good learning environment for its students in the areas of science.
4. Beddings for Pre-school Children
As per the Ministry of Education’s requirements, children in pre-school (incl. playgroup for pupils of ages 3-4 years, pre-primary 1 for pupils of ages 4-5 years, and pre-primary 2 for pupils of age 6) must have free lessons in the afternoon and napping after lunch to re-energize. GSSA hopes to provide enough bedding materials such as blankets and mattresses to meet the requirements and create a good environment for our pupils.
5. Additional Water Tank
Due to water rationing in Mathare, water has become a major nagging problem experienced in the community and at our school. An additional water tank for the Jeff Kroeker Hall will act as a water reservoir that will be beneficial to our pupils, teachers, and cleaning staff at large. This will alleviate the pressure since the existing water tank is no longer sufficient to serve our needs for both buildings (classrooms in the Administration Building and the Jeff Kroeker Hall next door). Our people at GSSA are adapting by moving up and down and between buildings to fetch water.
6. School Uniforms, Track Suits, and Game Kits
Given the conditions of some families, some pupils cannot afford uniforms. GSSA hopes to provide uniforms, track suits, and game kits to its students annually (both newly admitted and continuing) to improve their well-being and belonging whilst reaching uniformity and standard at the school.
7. School Bus Program
GSSA hopes to provide a school bus for its pupils to facilitate transportation. Some students live far away from the school and need transportation services. Moreover, school trips and other functions can take place more flexibly with its own transportation.
8. Training and Upskilling Opportunities
With the ever-changing learning system, it is mandatory for the teachers to improve their knowledge and teaching skills. GSSA hopes to provide and subsidize upskilling and training programs for our teachers through seminars, tutorials, etc.
9. Rewards for Teachers and Staff
GSSA highly regards its staff and therefore hopes to improve the compensation and rewards to uplift their living standards and recognize their contributions and performance. We believe happy teachers and support staff is one of the key ingredients in a successful school.
10. Sports Field
With growing interest in sports, GSSA hopes to improve the field outside of the school where assembly, play, and sports take place. Like many roads and areas in Mathare, the area is not paved and hence covered with a lot of dust. Paving the area with cabros can minimize dust and diseases associated with it when children play.
11. Sanitary Products for Girls
Affordability of sanitary towel is a major challenge affecting GSSA’s girls. As a result, the attendance of GSSA’s girls drops during their menstrual periods and impedes their learning process. GSSA hopes to curb this problem by providing readily available, hygienic, sanitary towels free-of-charge to improve attendance and the girls’ well-being.
12. CBC Textbook and Learning Materials
With our growing population, we’re in need of more textbooks and learning materials to accommodate every pupil’s need. GSSA aims to improve the learning standards of its pupils by providing additional textbooks and other learning materials such as dictionaries, whiteboards, marker pens, teacher’s geometrical sets, etc.
13. Infrastructure Development for Senior Secondary School Accreditation
Our dream – In 2025, GSSA hopes to spread its wings and expand its education program to senior secondary school comprising of grades 10, 11, and 12. The senior secondary school encompasses 3 pathways which includes arts and sports, social sciences, and STEM subjects. We hope to develop and meet all the requirements of the Ministry of Education to be able to provide this level of education in Mathare.
“Radiate wherever you are”