Kenyan Secondary Schools: An American Observes

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This is part two of my article on the Kenyan school system, and again, it consists of my observations in the Kenyn schools in 2006 & 2008. Kenyans and others are free to comment on my accuracy in reporting.
Most Kenyan prents prefer to send their child to a secondary boarding school, indeed most secondry schools are boarding schools. Generally these schools are segregated by gender, and again the course of study is rigorous in comparison to the US high school curriculum. Each school is contained within a fenced and guarded compound - walls surround the entire property. Students live in dorms with matrons. The menu is posted in the headmaster's office. Typical daily fare includs tea and porridge for breakfast, while lunch and dinner consist of things such as beans, ugali or sukumu wiki. Meat is served once or twice a week. If a child has pocket money, he or she may purchase extra snack foods. Students are expected to apply themselves to their studies all term and do not visit their homes or leave the school grounds independently. The holidays, occuring every 3 months, are not pure holidays, however, because after a visit home, the students must return early to school for extra coaching (an aidditional fee). The school typically has clubs, sports and weekend activities or field trips on the school bus, to keep the boarders busy and productive. Schools have libraries and computer labs, but maybe not internet. They may have gardens, cows and their own water well, all of this is maintained by support staff. Boys and girls are not brought together for social events. The schools discourage and even forbid dating relationships. The philosophy is that dating begins after high school graduation - and that romance distracts students from importat studies. Kenyan teens form strong friendships with same gender peers that endure long after graduation.
The instruciton in the schools is generally by lecture. Students must wear the uniform at all times. Serious disruptive behavior isn't tolerated.
Finally the dy sarrives and the student finishes form 4 (last year of high school). After a stiff final exam, some academically talented or wealthy students go on to college, However, if a student finishes even secondary school in Kenya, she or he can be proud of achieving an educaiton well beyond that of the ordinary citizen. Kenuyans place great emphasis on the value of education, in a country where unemployment ranges from 30-40% and people are trying to create a better future. They know that education is the key ad so children take the opportunity for schooling seriously, for the most part. Secondary students usually do not behave in a way that would jeopardize their chances. Unfortunately the same can't be said of some American high school students.

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Comments

[Kim Pendley]

Kenyan education values
Thank you, Kathi, for this terrific summary of the Kenyan educational system. It is very interesting, and will help us all to better understand the lives of our orphans, the feedback we get on their school performance, and their future options. Yes, I too would appreciate hearing much more from native Africans about their perspective on education . You describe a system that sounds very much like 19th and early 20th century academic standards in America. Uniforms, gender segregation in secondary schools, high testing standards, with an emphasis on discipline combine to create better educated, less sexualized young adults. 'sigh' In comparison, it's easy to feel hopeless sometimes about what our American high schools produce. I am concerned that there is so little / no sex education in Kenyan secondary schools. I have seen an excelllent documentary about a young Kenyan man who is an AIDS orphan (late teens, not one from Vihiga). He is searching for guidance for young people about how to handle themselves as sexual beings in light of the AIDS crisis. He travels all over Kenya to interview local and national officials -- mayors, educators, religious leaders, health officials. All tell him that abstinence is the best policy. I think that is insufficient sex education to equip young Kenyans to build healthy and productive lives.

[David Cooper]

Secondary School
Hi Kathi, I am really enjoying your blogs. Will you get a chance to visit any of the universities? I wonder what the curriculum is like there? Although I favor the discipline of the students in Kenya, I am not a fan of teaching strictly by lecture. I prefer the Socratic method in which students engage in a dialogue with the instructor and learn by questions and answers. Most Americans begin dating in high school. I wonder whether the Kenyans share our concept of romantic love? Are marriages arranged? Can one remain single? Can couples choose not to have children? Take care of yourself

[Macharia Kuria]

Very Precise
Hi Kathi, am writing this with a smile on my face, recalling how my high school years were when i was younger. you couldnt have been any more precise on the Kenyan Secondary Education System. Its very strict and competitive. the chances of going to a public sponsored university are quite slim, thats why the competition is cut throat. David, there is romantic love in kenya, most start after high school and go way into universities. my brother courted his now wife for 9yrs before getting married in 2005. marriages and weddings are arranged through services of a professional wedding planner, or if on a tight budget, by the bride, the groom and an organising committee. I intend to remain single, although i dont know what my mom is going to say about that :), yes, couples can choose not to have children, but it would reflect badly to the society, most of the older generation who are now our parents may not understand why you would get married and choose not to have children! they want grandchildren to tell stories to.