Cornerstone Foundation Backs Gusii Education Reform Conversation
Foundation joins education stakeholders as a key sponsor of inaugural convention in Kisii
The Cornerstone Foundation joined education leaders, researchers, government agencies, and development partners in Kisii as a key sponsor of the inaugural Gusii Education Stakeholders Convention, supporting a regional conversation on improving learning outcomes in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Held at Kisii University on September 10 and 11, the convention brought together more than 3,000 stakeholders to examine evidence from a baseline study by Kisii University scholars and agree on practical responses to long-standing and emerging education challenges. The convention had been conceived as a platform to identify gaps in access, equity and quality, and to develop actionable solutions across all levels of education.
A cause close to home
For The Cornerstone Foundation, whose mission is to empower marginalised children to access education and pursue their potential, the gathering closely reflected its own focus: ensuring that a learner’s circumstances do not close the door to opportunity. Its sponsorship also placed the Foundation within a wider partnership of state and non-state actors seeking sustainable answers to the region’s education challenges.
Speaking at the Foundation’s stand, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, also its Patron, said the convention’s emphasis on equity is closely connected to the reason the Foundation was established.
“One of this Convention’s objectives is unearthing systemic gaps in access, equity and quality across all learning levels, and this is why we founded The Cornerstone Foundation to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Julius Migos Ogamba, Education Cabinet Secretary and Patron, The Cornerstone Foundation
Mr Ogamba said the task could not be left to government alone.
“Many bright children face barriers that can interrupt or end their education, and non-state actors like the Cornerstone Foundation and other well-wishers must step in to complement what government is doing to support our children realise their dreams.”
Julius Migos Ogamba
He added: “Education justice means that we all need to support, but not replace, government efforts to look beyond enrollment to access, retention, equity and opportunity.”
Commitments for the road ahead
That call for shared responsibility was reflected in the convention’s final resolutions. Stakeholders committed themselves to evidence-informed and locally owned education transformation, sustained partnerships among families, schools, universities, communities, government, learners, development partners and the private sector, and concrete action on digital transformation, teacher development, STEM, TVET, education financing and competency-based education.
The resolutions also called for stronger public-private partnerships, institutionalised philanthropy and business-development partnerships, while urging schools and boards of management to identify needy learners and provide school-level bursaries. These commitments give organisations such as The Cornerstone Foundation a practical space to complement public investment while keeping equity and learner opportunity at the centre of the education agenda.
Principal Secretary for TVET Dr Esther Muoria praised the Foundation’s intervention.
“Every promising learner retained in education is potential protected. I admire what the Cornerstone Foundation is doing. Congratulations, Waziri.”
Dr Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for TVET
She added: “An education opportunity can change the direction of a child’s life. It is therefore our responsibility as leaders to ensure that a child’s future should not be determined by family income.”
Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, Joash Maangi, also pledged support after visiting the stand.
“Supporting disadvantaged learners is an investment in the human capital of Kisii, Nyamira and Kenya. I am very impressed with CS Ogamba for coming up with such an initiative to support poor children from this region.”
Joash Maangi, Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union
Ambassador Maangi added: “An educated young person can strengthen a household and contribute to the wider community. I am ready to support the Cornerstone Foundation in sending some children to school.”
A fair chance to dream
The convention, attended by senior education officials, university leaders, scholars, civil society, research organisations and private-sector players, ended with a declaration that implementation must follow discussion. For The Cornerstone Foundation, its role as a sponsor underscored a simple proposition: regional education reform will require not only sound policy, but partnerships that keep vulnerable learners in school and give them a fair chance to realise their dreams.