In best academic practices, after commissioning Form Four candidates, secondary schools coin class identities capturing name, slogan and scripture — to act as good guides in the course of the academic journey. Largely, giving candidates a collective name welds them together. It helps them synergise, which is one of the habits of highly effective people talked about by Dr Steve Covey in his heroic book titled The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
A typical class name can be general. For instance, conquerors, trailblazers, record breaking class (RBC), vanguards or champions. For Christian schools, the name can also be a Biblical character that evince excellence. For instance, in a boys’ school, the class can be Davids, Calebs or Joshuas. Likewise, a girls’ school can be Esthers, Deboras, Dorcases or Tabithas. Think of a candidate class called Conquerors. Their slogan can be The Best among the Rest. Romans 8:37 can be the guiding scripture. Likewise, the class can have a bird’s name such as the eagle. For example, Limuru Girls School Class of 2024 was known as Falcons.
Class identity
Ostensibly, the class identity causes candidates to attain what Napoleon Hill calls Mastermind Alliance — two or more minds coming together to achieve a particular purpose. In Gem (Andare or K’oremo), the autochthons say, when two heads combine, the third one emerges. In addition, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one; because they have got good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up…”
Ipso facto, the school cannot entice good grades when they do not know how to work as a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More). In the seminal writings of John C Maxwell, we read, for the dream to work, there must be teamwork. We see demonstration of teamwork in surgical teams, fire-fighting teams and project teams. Therefore, the onus is on Head of Institutions (HoIs) to foster teamwork. As members demonstrate it. For when team spirit permeates the institution, candidates will embrace academic strategies such as peer teaching, group discussions and ability grouping. When there is reign of unity of purpose in the candidate class, there will also be purpose, peace and prosperity.
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Moreover, chanting of class slogan can cause candidates to remain focused like laser beams. Slogan is a mantra, which in Sanskrit is “man” meaning “mind” and “tra” meaning release. When the school creates a slogan or mantra like Kenya One, We Lead as Others Follow, or No One Before Us — candidates chant it, and it imbues them with power of vision. Actually, vision is the art of seeing the invisible. Or having an end-in-mind. For things happen twice. First, in the mind. Then, in the physical. Candidates can see the future using the eyes of the mind. Schools must make every Form Four candidate know, the future is in their mental picture. When they can see quality grades in their minds, then they can develop a strong will power to achieve it. For Napoleon Hill summarised it: “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Lastly, the scripture can be a good guide to Form Four candidate. It is about trusting God to wrought a miracle. Think of a candidate class called Eagles. The slogan being We are Soaring High in the Sky. Isaiah 40:31 can be the scripture. For every true success story is perfectly penned by God. In John 15:5, Jesus tells His disciples, He is the vine, and they are the branches. When they remain in Him, they will bear fruits. Without Him, they can do nothing.
By Victor Ochieng’
The writer is an education consultant. He visits schools all over the country to deliver academic and career talks. He builds the capacity of staff. He trains student councils and peer counsellors. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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