Vice President of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Ezekiel Machogu, emphasized the essential role both parents and schools play in the character development of children. Machogu highlighted that nurturing character is just as important as intellectual development for students.
“Knowledge without character is of little use to society,” Machogu asserted during the meeting. This sentiment was echoed by Devine, who underscored the importance of character education and holistic growth as fundamental objectives of education systems worldwide. The GPF, known for its values-based approach to peacebuilding, aligns with these principles by emphasizing universal values and principles to tackle societal issues.
Machogu stressed that parental involvement remains crucial even when children attend boarding school. He noted that parental responsibility does not end with children maturing or leaving for school; instead, parents should remain actively engaged in their children’s character development alongside their academic performance. “Parenthood does not end when children mature or leave for boarding school,” Machogu reiterated, calling for sustained parental care in shaping children’s character.
Devine supported this view, stating that character education is the true purpose of education. He highlighted that the transformation of educators and those around learners is essential for fostering this brand of education. “The essence of transformation starts with the transformation of teachers and all those around learners,” Devine said. He also warned policymakers globally to approach Artificial Intelligence (AI) with caution, emphasizing the need for individuals with strong character education to manage AI training for educators.
The discussion also touched on the integration of AI in education. Bernard Kairu, CEO of Sunrise Virtual School, called for government guidelines on AI integration in teaching and learning. He expressed concerns that without proper direction, teachers might adopt AI technology in ways that do not align with national educational goals.
The GPF’s initiatives, which span twenty-one countries, include grassroots peacebuilding, education, entrepreneurship, and youth leadership development. These projects are conducted in collaboration with public and private sector partners. Devine elaborated on the Foundation’s use of universal principles and shared values to address conflicts, promote equitable development, and engage all members of the human family in building a culture of peace globally.
The meeting, attended by senior education officials and the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Lukenya University, Mutheu Kassanga, underscored the shared commitment to fostering character development as a cornerstone of educational success and societal contribution.
