Discovering Talent, Shaping Futures – ESP Assessment Centre at GISA

A day of concentration, encounters and new possibilities: on Saturday, 7 November 2026, the German International School Accra welcomed 30 children aged nine to eleven to the Assessment Centre for its Excellence Scholarship Programme (ESP). For these young applicants, it marked an important step towards potentially joining our school community.

Over six hours, the children worked through a thorough assessment process, with plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their abilities. It was a demanding day, and they and their families are now eagerly awaiting the next steps.

The day also offered parents valuable insights into life at GISA. Headmaster Rainer Kropp-Kurta explained the German education system and the school’s distinctive approach: combining German and international education, intensive language support, and a holistic understanding of learning that nurtures both academic achievement and personal development. The future pathways offered by the growing secondary school attracted particular interest, including the German intermediate school-leaving qualification (MSA) and the planned German-English International Baccalaureate (GIB).

One of the highlights was hearing from parents whose children already attend GISA. Acting as ambassadors for our school community, they shared their experiences of how quickly their children are learning German and how much they benefit from the wide range of activities offered throughout the school day.

Their accounts also highlighted changes that go well beyond academic results. They described their children as becoming more independent, asking more questions and thinking more critically about the world around them. The term “critical thinkers” captured what these parents particularly value: young people who reflect, question and form their own informed judgements. These personal stories were met with great enthusiasm and brought GISA’s educational approach to life for the visiting families.

Through the ESP, GISA opens up new educational opportunities for academically strong, motivated children in Ghana whose families need financial support. The programme provides a scholarship covering 83 per cent of regular tuition fees, alongside a free intensive German course to prepare children for learning in German. The next cohort is scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Our teachers are now carefully evaluating the results. For the children and their families, this is a time of anticipation, hope and excitement – and we, too, look forward to taking the next steps with them.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all the participating children and their families, the dedicated parents from our school community, and the entire team who prepared and supported this intensive day. Together, they brought our guiding principle of “Building Bridges” to life: connecting people, nurturing talent and opening doors to the future.