Nairobi, Kenya | 25 September 2026
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Kenya celebrated excellence in education at the 6th Edition of the Great Places to School (GPTS) Awards Gala Dinner, held on 25 September 2026 at Weston Hotel, Nairobi. The event brought together 230 participants, including education leaders, school administrators, teachers, partners and other stakeholders, to recognise schools committed to creating positive learning environments and nurturing well-rounded learners.
Held under the theme “Transforming Education: Built on Character, Empowered by Competence,” the gala dinner reaffirmed the importance of an education system that goes beyond academic achievement to develop learners with strong values, practical skills, leadership abilities and a sense of social responsibility. A total of 47 schools were recognised across 10 award categories, celebrating diverse approaches to educational excellence and holistic learner development.
Redefining Educational Excellence
The GPTS Awards provide a platform for recognising schools that demonstrate good practices in building supportive, inclusive and learner-centred environments. The initiative reflects the understanding that quality education should equip learners not only with academic knowledge but also with the character, competencies and values needed to succeed in life and contribute meaningfully to society.
The 2026 theme highlighted the complementary roles of character and competence in transforming education. Character provides the ethical foundation for responsible decision-making, integrity, empathy, discipline and peaceful coexistence, while competence equips learners with the knowledge, skills, creativity and practical abilities necessary to respond to real-world challenges.
Through this approach, schools are encouraged to nurture individuals who can think critically, solve problems, collaborate effectively, demonstrate leadership and make positive contributions to their communities.
Celebrating Excellence Across Multiple Dimensions
The recognition of 47 schools across 10 award categories highlighted the broad range of factors that contribute to a quality educational experience. These dimensions included school leadership, character and values, equity and inclusion, global competence, career development and workforce readiness, extracurricular activities, health and safety, and corporate social responsibility.
The awards underscored the importance of effective school leadership and governance in establishing a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. They also highlighted the need to ensure that every learner has access to a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in which they can participate, develop their talents and achieve their potential.
In addition, the emphasis on career development and workforce readiness reinforced the need to connect classroom learning with practical experiences that prepare learners for further education, employment, entrepreneurship and life beyond school. Extracurricular activities, community engagement and values-based learning were equally recognised as important contributors to learners’ personal growth, confidence, teamwork and leadership.
Advancing Evidence-Based Assessment and Continuous Improvement
The GPTS initiative places emphasis on assessing school environments and practices across multiple dimensions of educational quality. This broader approach encourages schools to reflect on their performance beyond examination results and consider how their leadership, culture, learner support systems and educational programmes contribute to holistic development.
The awards also promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging schools to identify strengths, address gaps and learn from effective practices demonstrated by other institutions. Recognising these efforts provides an opportunity to celebrate progress while inspiring schools to pursue higher standards and create more meaningful learning experiences.
Through the exchange of ideas and experiences, education stakeholders can strengthen their understanding of what makes a school an enabling environment for learning, personal development and responsible citizenship.
Strengthening Partnerships for Education Transformation
The participation of 230 stakeholders demonstrated the importance of collaboration in advancing educational excellence. Transforming education requires the collective efforts of school leaders, teachers, parents, policymakers, development partners, businesses and communities.
The gala dinner provided an opportunity to celebrate achievements, strengthen professional relationships and encourage partnerships that can support school improvement and learner development. Such collaboration can help schools access expertise, share innovative approaches and develop initiatives that respond to the changing needs of learners and society.
The event further reinforced the role of schools as important institutions for shaping future leaders, promoting peaceful coexistence and preparing young people to participate constructively in their communities.
Building a Future Anchored in Character and Competence
The 6th Edition of the Great Places to School Awards Gala Dinner marked an important moment in recognising schools that are contributing to a broader vision of educational excellence. By celebrating 47 schools and bringing together 230 participants, the event strengthened the conversation around the need to develop learners who combine academic knowledge with character, practical competence and a commitment to the common good.
As education continues to evolve in response to social, economic and technological changes, schools must remain focused on preparing learners for both present and future challenges. This calls for learning environments that nurture integrity, creativity, resilience, inclusion, leadership and lifelong learning.
Through the Great Places to School initiative, GPF Kenya continues to champion a holistic understanding of education in which every learner is supported to develop their potential, become a responsible citizen and contribute meaningfully to society.
Transforming education begins with building character, empowering competence and creating schools where every learner has the opportunity to thrive.