The Centre for Character and Leadership (CCL) was  privileged to conduct a one-day leadership training to a group of 55 members of the student council from St. Francis Girls’ High School, Mang’u. St. Francis is a girls boarding secondary school located in Gatundu North Sub-County with a population of over 1000 learners. The school is driven by ‘toil for sound character and knowledge’ as its motto. Indeed, knowledge without character is dangerous. This calls for educators to integrate in learning the initiatives that foster character and virtue development among the learners.

CCL leadership program for the members of student council provides sessions that are geared to develop their leadership skills based on servant-leadership model – a leadership philosophy that prioritizes ethical decision making, the building of community and the optimal development of all involved. The Student councils in schools are an extension of school management roles. The elected members of the student councils act as an eye or a link between the administration, teachers and students. They support in the development and maintenance of a conducive environment for learning within the school community.

During the training, students were engaged through interactive and educative sessions which included servant leadership and virtue development, role of student leaders in supporting school management as well as managing and resolving conflicts in schools.

Speaking during the training, the facilitator urged the students to strive in developing passion in leadership as he reminded them the words of John Maxwell who once said ‘a great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” He added that a leader must have a passion for the mission; passion for change; passion for people; passion for personal excellence; and passion for honoring God.

Throughout the sessions, the participants were engaged on interactive group discussions which included moral dilemma discussions, partner chat and individual reflection scenarios. As a result, students were able to identify their leadership strengths and weaknesses as well as develop personalized leadership improvement plan. In addition, they were able to develop an action plan which will help them to address the issues which are affecting negatively their school culture and climate. The issues included negative peer pressure, stealing, rebellious attitude among the students, noise making and poor time management.

Towards the end of the training, the School Principal shared the closing remarks and emphasized on the need for having a willing heart in leadership. She affirmed that ‘a willing heart sees a thousand opportunities while the unwilling heart has a thousand excuses.” The training was facilitated by Peter and Millicent. In attendance were Mrs. Janet Gachie and Mrs. Njagi (School Deputy Principals) among other teachers.