Learning by Creative Problem Solving, not just Memorization Nova Academies has launched a secondary boys boarding school in Nairobi that prepares entrepreneurial leaders and innovators. The group has two schools in South Africa, and this will be the first of this school network to launch in Nairobi. This unique academy integrates the Kenya 8-4-4 curriculum with learning methods from the best schools around the world to prepare students with the critical thinking and innovation skills that CEOs in Kenya and around the world emphasize are most needed. Nova s world-class education costs under 100,000ksh per term including boarding at the 5 acre campus located just off the southern bypass next to Alliance Boys. Nova Academies World Class Leadership Nova Academies was founded by well-respected leaders and educators who have experience running top schools and the most prestigious companies in Africa, the US and Europe. Nova leadership hold degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Stanford and formerly led companies and institutions including ALA, Alliance, McKinsey, Bain, and the Clinton Foundation. Oliver Sabot, Managing Director, formerly Co-Founder at Spire, running highly effective employability programs for top companies across Africa and Executive Vice President for Global Programs at the Clinton Health Access Initiative. Charles Tsuma, Principal has 19 years of experience in top Kenyan schools, including Starehe, Aga Khan Academy and Mt. Kenya Academy. Chris Khaemba, Founder, former Principal of Alliance and African Leadership Academy is one of the founders. He currently serves as the Nairobi City County Executive for Education and Youth Affairs. Chinezi Chijioke, Nova Group CEO, graduate of Harvard and Stanford who served as McKinsey and Company s head of education for Africa
Leading Companies Find That Students Are Not Adequately Prepared for Success When Nova launched, its leadership interviewed hundreds of CEOs and top executives around the world to understand how to better prepare students to be successful adults. The message was clear: Kenya s education is the best in Africa but needs to evolve to meet the needs of the rapidly changing world and more needs to be done to provide young people with the leadership development, 21st century skills, and technology and engineering training they need to shape their country s future. CEOs agree that Kenya s youth need a new set of skills to succeed and lead in the 21st Century. The current education system is not providing the skills that Kenya s future workforce requires. According to The Economist Intelligence Unit Global Employer Survey, When asked which three skills will be in most demand from employers over the next decade, almost one-half (48%) of all [CEO] respondents say life skills, indicating the continued need for learning. The top skills most in demand: Problem-solving skills 010 01010 101010 Leadership 0101010 0 110011010 11101010 Critical thinking 0101010010 01010 101010 STEM science, technology, 0101010 0 engineering and mathematics This is backed up by experts and research in Kenya: Fewer than half of employers in Africa believe that new graduates are adequately prepared for entry-level positions. McKinsey Survey Most graduates are not prepared with the critical thinking, attitude, and solution orientation required to succeed in today s fast-changing workplace. Our education system plays a critical role in closing that gap. - Reuben Mbindu, Head of Human Capital at Equity Bank The 8-4-4 system encourages rote learning to the exclusion of problem solving, leadership and decision making skills. Therefore, pupils do not gain the critical skills and training necessary to access the job. - Professor Henry Bwisa Kenya Professor of Entrepreneurship JKUAT
Nova Academies : 8-4-4 Education Developing the Next Generation Entrepreneurs and Leaders in Africa A Nova is a star that brightens over time spreading massive change throughout the universe. Nova Academies has designed every aspect of the student experience to ensure that graduates are prepared to embrace the opportunities and challenges required to transform the future of their communities and countries in today s rapidly changing world. Graduates will be ready for many paths including careers that have not yet been invented. Approximately 60% of the jobs post 2020 have not yet been invented and many of the jobs and skills in the world of work today are on their way to becoming obsolete or will morph and change into something entirely different in the not too distant future. Nikki Bush South Africa Nova graduates will Access top universities in Kenya and around the world Understand their passions, values, and unique abilities Be prepared to lead and innovate in a rapidly changing world
The Nova Way INTORS AND LEADERS AT, OUR STUDENTS LEARN THROUGH CREATING, NOT MEMORIZING. WE USE THE KENYAN 8-4-4 MODEL INTEGRATED WITH WORLD-CLASS TEACHING MODELS TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE. CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Nova students learn to critically analyze the world and develop new solutions by actively applying their knowledge to solving real world problems. COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP Our students learn to lead by working collaboratively, communicating persuasively, and presenting their ideas to the world with confidence. SELF MASTERY We constantly challenge students to build the core values they need to succeed in work and life and help them to pursue their passions to achieve far more than they imagined they could. ACADEMICS Nova students develop the life skills they need to be successful leaders and entrepreneurs in Kenya Learning extends beyond memorization and exams to leadership development and technology mastery in real entrepreneurship challenges that use knowledge and creative thinking to develop solutions to real world problems. Students are immersed in real life learning experiences where they have an opportunity to take risks, manage the results, and learn from the outcomes. Global exposure interacting with our schools in South Africa, as well our sister schools such as Menlo Academy in Silicon Valley California. Students collaborate across borders on projects, experiments, and learn by sharing different cultural perspectives. The difference with Nova Academies is that a child can gain the benefits of a demanding 8.4.4 curriculum with space to be innovative, self driven and to grow in international learning. - Bridget, Nova Academies Camp Parent
Nova Group Strategy Nova Group is funded by a group of investors from Africa and catalytic grant funding from the IKEA Foundation. Nova Group owns and operates schools two successful schools in South Africa. Within 5 years they will be operating more than 20 schools and will have expanded into additional African countries. The vision includes building 100 schools across the continent. Contacts Media Contact: Cindy Kerr, VP Marketing Email: ckerr@novaacademies.com Media Enquiries: +254 (0) 738 670759 Website: www.novaacademies.com School Enquiries: 0702 689 010