First Lady Margaret Kenyatta Friday told students to pursue their dreams with passion because all their aspirations are attainable, including the wildest ones.
She said irrespective of the diverse backgrounds of the students, their goals and dreams in life can be achieved through hard work, persistence and discipline.
“It is important for every student to know that many of the diverse goals and aspirations you have, even the wildest ones, are attainable”, said the First Lady when she presided over the annual Prize Giving Day at the St George’s Primary School, Nairobi.
She said no aspiration nor ambition is too big to be achieved so long the students embrace such characteristics as creativity, honesty ingenuity, integrity and fairness in their pursuits.
If these characteristics are embraced early in life, said the First Lady, they eventually become habits that determine who the respective students become in future.
“You must develop holistically; it is important to strive for academic excellence, yes – but it is also important to strive for something that will hold you in far greater stead for far longer- character”, said the First Lady.
She cautioned the students to make the right choices in life because not all popular choices are eventually good.
“Sometimes you will have to choose whether you will stand by the principles you were taught by your parents and teachers. Those choices are where character is revealed and, often, where success is secured”, she added.
The First lady told the students to remember the immeasurable investment and sacrifices made by the teachers and parents to mentor and develop their capacities to make the right choices.
St George’s is one of the oldest primary schools in the country. It is celebrating 65 years of existence since its inception in 1952. It was initially started to cater for the children of the colonial masters and the privileged upper class of the day.
The school has a population of 930 pupils that include 488 girls and 442 boys. It admits both boarders and day scholars.
The First Lady applauded the school’s community for improved performance and creating a legacy of accomplishments especially over the last five years.
On request, the First Lady agreed to be the patron of the school and announced that her office will undertake the rehabilitation of the school’s swimming pool as its first project.
Regional Co-ordinator for Education John Ololtuaa who represented Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said land issues are the greatest challenges facing many primary schools in Nairobi County.
He said many of the schools do not have either allotment letters or title deeds and are at the risk of encroachment by grabbers. He asked respective Parents and Teachers Associations to work extra had to have their schools secured through proper land ownership documents.
School Principal Mrs Josephine Kivuti and Board of Management chairman Daniel Chacha also addressed the function where top performing and most improved pupils from all classes were recognized with certificates.
Some students, teachers , alumni and partners of the school also received trophies .