British couple who have been teachers in Eldoret for over 40 years honoured by thier former learners

A British A British couple, Paul and Elizabeth Scott, renowned teachers in Eldoret, have been celebrated by alumni of Hill School and Kipkeino School, where they worked.

The couple, both now 80 and who have worked in Eldoret for over 40 years, were honoured during a thanksgiving event at Tobbys Hotel.

Elizabeth shed tears of joy as she walked between rows of former learners who presented her with flowers and warm embraces.

The couple live in Eldoret, but due to age-related challenges, Paul could not attend the event. However, some of the learners later visited him at home.

“It’s wonderful to be remembered and honoured by these children who went through our hands. I am so excited and feel energised. Paul is also excited about this, and we are proud to have been their teachers because we can see what God has done for us and in their lives,” Elizabeth said.

The event was hosted mainly by alumni of Kipkeino School, which Paul and Elizabeth founded and named in honour of legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino.

The first head girl at Kipkeino School, Alice Yego, together with her colleague Alma Olela, led the alumni in organising the event.

Other former learners involved included Dennis Tirop, June Magut, Zipporah Rop and Ian Sang, among others. Radio Africa Group CEO Martin Kafafa, also a former learner at Hill School, was mentioned as one of the many prominent individuals taught by the Scotts.

“The Scotts have impacted our lives in an amazing way. They were teachers who did their work with passion and love. They taught us discipline, hard work, self-esteem, being outgoing and being adventurous,” Yego said.

She added that, beyond classroom teaching, the Scotts were committed to mentoring well-rounded learners, many of whom are now professionals across the world.

Paul was particularly passionate about athletics and other sports. Olela said they owe their success in life to the upbringing and teachings of the Scotts.

“They are like our parents, and the fact that they dedicated their lives to teaching is something we value greatly. We pray that God blesses them abundantly,” she said.

The Scotts trained as teachers in the UK, where they also got married. Elizabeth recalls that they first came to Kenya in 1969 for their honeymoon and developed a love for the country that they decided to return and settle here.

They came back to Kenya in 1972 and, through local connections, began working at Hill School, where they stayed for over 20 years. Paul later became headmaster, while Elizabeth taught English, arts and other skills. They were recruited locally by the TSC.

“I recall the first guest we hosted at Hill School, who encouraged us, was former President the Daniel Moi. We worked with many people to ensure the school developed with the necessary facilities for learners,” Elizabeth said.

Later, the couple teamed up with Kipchoge Keino to found Kipkeino School in 1999. They moved to the new school, where Paul served as administrator and Elizabeth as a teacher, until they retired in accordance with TSC regulations after more than four decades of service.

Elizabeth says they have no plans to return to the UK, as Kenya has become their home.

“At 80 years, there is nothing to take us back to the UK because we are at home here in Kenya,” she said.

She added that thousands of their former learners have remained in touch, including through social media, and many continue to visit them in Eldoret.

“We were not blessed with our own children, but these learners are our children and grandchildren. They are part of our lives,” she said.

Roja Ogolla, who was a learner at Hill School in 1972, recalls how he developed a lifelong relationship with the Scotts. He later became a teacher at the same school in 1982 and eventually joined them at Kipkeino School.

“Paul is a very disciplined and strict person in everything he does. He does not like excuses and believes in results, working with those he trusts to deliver,” Ogolla said.

He added that Elizabeth taught with passion and always encouraged her learners to grow into independent, well-rounded adults.

Former CBK employee of 27 years, George Pratt, who operates Tobby Hotel, said the Scotts have touched many lives, making it important to celebrate them. In 2019, the couple marked their 50th wedding anniversary at the hotel.

George said they are proud of the Scotts for helping to shape the lives of many Kenyans.

“We celebrate them and are really proud of the Scotts. They are our parents and they gave us the best upbringing,” he said.