Arguably more than any other space outside the home, it is in school that a child’s future is shaped and nurtured.

Recognising this critical and cardinal role, the organiser of the Baby and Kids Expo, Kiara Events Ltd, has introduced the Premier Educator of the Year, a new honour aimed at celebrating outstanding schools and education centres.

The initiative provides a platform for institutions to showcase their academic excellence and co-curricular innovation beyond the cofines of the classroom, demonstrating that education goes beyond instruction to building character and fostering the kind of care that prevents future crises.

The inaugural recipient of this recognition at the Baby and Kids Expo 2026 is St. Francis Primary Day and Boarding School, Ntinda. With a legacy spanning 38 years, the school has produced alumni who continue to shape and influence various sectors across the country. Its sustained relevance over nearly four decades reflects a deep commitment to nurturing the full potential of every child.

As the first holder of this distinction, St. Francis will serve as the lens through which this year’s theme, Care Before Crisis, is explored. By placing pupils at the centre of the narrative, the school underscores the role of education as a proactive tool in child development and wellbeing.

Its participation marks the beginning of a new tradition, one in which schools move beyond being exhibitors to becoming active leaders in the national conversation on children’s growth, care and development.

Going forward, a different school will be selected each year to take on this role, offering a platform for deeper engagement and an opportunity to shape discourse around parenting and education in Uganda.

Kiara Events Ltd is inviting schools across the country to be part of this initiative. Institutions that are committed to going beyond the classroom and contributing meaningfully to child development are encouraged to engage and participate.

The Premier Educator of the Year is not merely a title, it is a responsibility. Each selected school will be tasked with interpreting the Expo’s annual theme and bringing it to life through the voices, creativity and experiences of its learners.