Impact Story: Positive Brains School, Uganda
When Benard Nelson set up the Positive Brains School in Ghana in 1998, it had only two learners. It was the first preschool in Gbegeyise, and with Mr. Nelson’s efforts to provide a high-quality educational environment for children in his community, it was extended in 2012 with a primary school section.
The school’s motto, ‘Creative Thinking’, is reflected in Mr. Nelson’s diverse professional background. He previously worked as a marketing supervisor at Network Computer Systems, the first internet company in Ghana, and he is the managing director of Fushay Ventures, a construction firm in Accra. Mr. Nelson also worked in the professional photography industry for 10 years.
Mr. Nelson joined the School Leadership Professional Development (SLPD), offered as part of EduQuality, a program of Opportunity EduFinance, to improve his school’s teaching methodologies and to broaden his knowledge in school management and administration. His participation in the program aided not only the school’s approaches to teaching and teacher training, but it also allowed him to bring in new teaching material.
An important result of Mr. Nelson’s participation in the SLPD program was that it helped him to find the right bank to take out his first loan, which was used to improve the school’s infrastructure. The school development plan developed as part of the SLPD program focuses on improving the teaching methods, upgrading the infrastructure, and setting up a new library and computer centre.
Despite the school’s need for funding, Mr. Nelson allows a discounted school fee to parents with more than two children, and some children are offered full scholarships to attend the Positive Brains School.