The basic school system for education in Kenya is the same as in many other western countries, including the United States. It’s referred to as an 8-4-4 system of education. In Kenya, the first primary school level lasts for 8 years, then there is 4 years of secondary school, for those who can afford it and have high enough grades. After that, there may be 4 years of college or university.
The first 8 years of primary education are considered compulsory. Children begin at 6 years of age with compulsory education ending at 13 years. Enrolment levels drop dramatically after the primary level.
After the 8 years of primary school, students write the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. Results of this examination are used for placement in secondary school. In form four of secondary school, students write the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam, which determines whether they are eligible for a government loan (“direct entry”), to support post-secondary studies.
English is the official language and the medium for government school instruction. The language of the school area is also used for instruction. Kiswahili is a compulsory subject in both primary and secondary school.
The teacher-student ratio in primary education is 39.5 students per teacher and in secondary 31.6 students per teacher. There is a shortage of qualified educators in Kenya.
Though stricken with poverty and hardships, the people of Kenya are generally literate. It’s estimated that approximately 90% of adult males, and 80% of adult females are able to read and write. While the basics are covered, more advanced education is not as widespread. On average, children go to school for only 9 or 10 years.
One of the reasons for the high literacy rate, is that in 2003 Kenya waived all fees and tuition for the primary school level. After this announcement, enrolment in primary education increased by 70%, raising the literacy rate along with it.
This has been a step in the right direction for education in Kenya. Unfortunately, children from very poor families can only keep their children enrolled for a few years, because there are still costs associated with primary school. There are no tuition fees, but families must still cover costs of some books, uniforms, transportation, food and other supplies.
There has not been a proportional increase in secondary and tertiary education enrolment, due to the high costs for tuition.
In terms of secondary school, there are four tiers in Kenyan: National, Provincial, District and Regional, with National being the highest. Secondary schools are spread around the country and most tend to have both day and boarding students enrolled; the majority of boarding schools are single sex.
The cost to attend secondary school varies depending on whether the student is a day student or boards, and on which tier the institution falls into. Jamii moja children fund scholars attend both Provincial and District schools, as boarders. Boarding schools were deemed most appropriate for Jamii moja children fund cholars because they offer clean environments, conducive to learning, away from the dangers and pressures of slum life.
In 2011, the Government of Kenya is providing, directly to each secondary institution, 10,265 Kenyan Shillings per student enrolled. The additional “parents fee” for each Provincial school student is 30,000 KSh. and 25,627 KSh. for District school students.
In Mathare, there are only a few government supported primary schools, which is woefully insufficient. Over the past decade, a number of “non-formal” primary schools have been established in an attempt to fill this gap. Non-formal schools tend to be funded by the parents & guardians of the students who attend, who are asked to pay small school feels if they can afford it. In many of these institutions the teachers are unpaid and they are significantly lacking in resources.
There are no government supported secondary schools in Mathare. Some secondary programs are beginning to emerge at the non-formal schools, however.
The Kenyan school year runs from January to November. Schools generally break three times per year following each term – in April, August and December. Each Jamii moja children fund scholarship includes informal education opportunities in Nairobi during these school breaks – e.g., giving back to the Mathare community through clean-ups, participating in entrepreneurial skills development and career counselling workshops, developing their artistic and storytelling skills through Jamii moja children fund Mathare in Focus photography project
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