Nicolas Robinson School
Nicolas Robinson School
About NRS
Working alongside the Tigray Disabled Veterans’ Association (TDVA), an Ethiopian NGO, the Nicolas Robinson School (NRS) was established in 2005 in Mekele, Tigray State. Founded by a Swiss and UK-based foundation in memory of Nicolas Robinson—son of its founder, Max Robinson—the school provides education for children of disabled veterans from the Ethiopian civil war, prioritizing those whose parents live with disabilities such as limb loss or blindness.
Thanks to unpaid volunteers handling all administrative work, 100% of donations go directly to educational projects.
The vision of the school is to be the most admired school in Ethiopia, fulfilling each child’s unique potential through excellence in education.
The school mission is to provide top quality academic and vocational education for any child from the most disadvantaged backgrounds
- especially those whose parents have disabilities, to provide this education without any entry restrictions of any kind and to develop young individuals who will break the cycle of poverty in their communities and their country.
- R4C and the NRS are committed to educating the whole child and to create a community of caring students, educators, parents, and staff.
- The Foundation is registered in Switzerland no: CHE-111.732.734 and founded in 2004.
- Rainbows4Children is registered in the UK with The Charity Commission (no.1116387), founded in 2005.
Grade levels during establishment
- In cooperation with the TDVA, Rainbows4children started construction of the Nicolas Kindergarten in 2004, and in September 2005 it opened to 160 children, aged 4-6 years. It was extended in 2006 and now it has capacity for 240 children. Since then we have landscaped the gardens and built a play area and eating room so they have more space for learning.
- In 2006, construction started on the Primary School. Over the next 4 years, the school and facilities were expanded to accommodate 640 students from grades 1-8 (ages 6-14). In addition a large library, IT training room, music/meeting room, sports ground and eating room were all constructed. A computer room and laboratory are also provided.
- Construction on the secondary school started in 2011, and in September 2012 the Secondary School opened with 75 grade 9 students, 36 of whom had graduated from our own Primary School. In 2019, the Secondary School has a total of 360 students in grades 9 to 12. Students benefit from best in class facilities including excellent science laboratories teaching practical science and can complete their primary and secondary education at the Nicolas Robinson School.
Current level of progress and growth
- Now a days Nicolas Robinson School is teaching 1913 students from KG up to Grade 12
- Nicolas Robinson School is Among the best schools in Ethiopia and Rated Level IV school as per the evaluation of the Tigray Education Bureau
- Key success and challenges
Successes:
- The NRS is accredited by the Tigray Bureau of Education at level 4 (top possible score).
The Nicolas College is accredited by the Tigray Regional Technical Vocational & Training Bureau (TVET) for level 1 courses in hospitality (entry level).
- The accreditation for the ICT training at the Nicolas College is pending, delayed by the onset of war. The NRS is a member of HALI Access sharing the vision to bring education to the most disadvantaged children on the continent. (https://www.haliaccess.org/),
- This network helps schools who support disadvantaged children with top quality education in Africa.
Current level of progress and growth
- Now a days Nicolas Robinson School is teaching 1913 students from KG up to Grade 12
- Nicolas Robinson School is Among the best schools in Ethiopia and Rated Level IV school as per the evaluation of the Tigray Education Bureau
- Key success and challenges
Successes:
- The NRS is accredited by the Tigray Bureau of Education at level 4 (top possible score).
The Nicolas College is accredited by the Tigray Regional Technical Vocational & Training Bureau (TVET) for level 1 courses in hospitality (entry level).
- The accreditation for the ICT training at the Nicolas College is pending, delayed by the onset of war. The NRS is a member of HALI Access sharing the vision to bring education to the most disadvantaged children on the continent. (https://www.haliaccess.org/),
- This network helps schools who support disadvantaged children with top quality education in Africa.
