Former Teacher Who Owns Nova Pioneer Schools

Education has become profitable in Kenya, mainly because of the gaps left by underfunded public schools. As public institutions struggle with limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, and outdated facilities, many parents seek alternatives to ensure their children receive a quality education. This demand has resulted in the establishment of many private institutions.

When he retired from teaching, Christopher Situma Khaemba decided to get involved in this growing yet profitable field.

His journey began as an officer and pilot in the Kenya Air Force. In 1984, he decided to leave that career and become a teacher. He joined Alliance as a Mathematics and Physics teacher, where he taught for 14 years and eventually rose to be the principal.

In 1995, the government appointed Khaemba as the Principal of Friends School Kamusinga to improve the school’s performance. Within three years, he made changes that helped the school regain its lost glory in academics and extracurricular activities.

In 2008, he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, to become the founding Dean of the African Leadership Academy. In 2012, the former airforce man was appointed Education Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister of Kenya. He held this position until April 2013, when a new government was formed, and the office of the Prime Minister was scrapped.

Christopher Khaemba partnered with Oliver Sabot, Rothschild, and Chinezi Chijioke to establish Nova Pioneer in Kenya in 2015. The first Nova Pioneer School opened in January 2016 with 128 boys and was modelled on South Africa’s African Leadership Academy.

On December 11, 2019, they opened doors of their sixth school in Kenya, apart from having seven of them in South Africa.

According to the institution’s website, the schools in Kenya include Nova Pioneer Primary Athi River, Nova Pioneer Primary Tatu City, Nova Pioneer Boys Secondary Tatu City, Nova Pioneer Girls Secondary Tatu City, Nova Pioneer Girls Secondary Eldoret, and Nova Pioneer.

The school offers pre-school to secondary education from the ages of 3 to 19 and aims to develop generations of innovators and leaders who will shape the African century.

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Lessons learnt from Khaemba’s story

Christopher Khaemba’s story teaches us that embracing change and pursuing new opportunities can lead to success, as seen in his transition from military to education.

 Khaemba’s commitment to quality education meets the community’s needs, demonstrating that hard work and dedication can make a real difference in education.

Story courtesy of Kenyans.co.ke