Trans Nzoia County’s CEC for Education and Vocational Training has lauded a growing partnership between media and schools aimed at nurturing Kiswahili talent among students.

Speaking at the Bahari ya Elimu event hosted at Boma Boys High School, CEC Janereose Nasimiyu Mutama said the initiative was helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the world of professional communication.

“Kiswahili is not just a subject; it’s a gateway to opportunity,” said Mutama. “Through journalism, creative writing, and performance, we can nurture careers right from the classroom.”

The event, spearheaded by renowned Radio 47 presenter Ali Hassan Kauleni, brought together Swahili teachers and students from top schools in the county, including Trans Nzoia Secondary, Bidii Secondary, Boma High, Masaba High, and Seeds Academy.

The one-day festival featured poetry recitations, song performances, dramatic narrations, and public speaking, all delivered in Kiswahili. The goal was to promote language mastery, academic excellence, and creative expression among learners.

Kauleni, the lead organiser, noted that the program is designed to align with Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which encourages practical learning and talent development.

“This is not just an event; it is a platform for future authors, broadcasters, and performers,” said Kauleni. “We are giving students exposure to real-world skills.”

CEC Mutama praised the involvement of media professionals in the education space and urged teachers to make Kiswahili more engaging and relevant.

“The media’s involvement offers authentic experiences and mentorship. It’s this kind of exposure that inspires students to pursue language-related careers,” she said.

The event also sparked conversations about expanding opportunities in the Kiswahili space, including developing student-authored books and introducing Kiswahili-based digital platforms for creative work.

Stakeholders hope such collaborations will pave the way for more Kenyan youth to venture into book writing, broadcast journalism, and theatre arts—all while promoting the use of Kiswahili in academic and professional settings.