In Kenya’s coastal educational landscape, the journey through school has been riddled with formidable challenges that impact students, teachers, and parents alike. Recent years have witnessed a stark rise in school fees, worsening financial strains for most families who already are grappling with limited resources. This financial burden often becomes a barrier to accessing education, forcing many children out of school prematurely. Doris, a 17-year-old student from Malindi, was on the verge of dropping out and had already spent over a month out of school due to financial difficulties at home. The COVID pandemic left her mum in financial strains leading to the lack of school fees. Through our Stay in School Project, she received sponsorship from Elimu covering her school fees, uniforms, and other educational materials. Additionally, our program provided mentorship and tutoring support to help her catch up with her studies. She is now on track to complete her education and sit for her national exams (KSCE) in November and has expressed a strong desire to pursue higher education in the future.
Other drop out cases rise from lack of education materials which are important and crucial in supporting their education journey. This situation diminishes the quality of education imparted in them. The shortage of textbooks and essential learning materials remains a persistent challenge. In schools where resources are scarce, students and teachers must make do with outdated or insufficient materials, hindering effective teaching and learning experiences. This deficiency undermines educational outcomes and perpetuates inequality in academic achievement. Another of our beneficiaries, Jospheth, a 19-year-old high school student was on the verge of dropping out because his family could not afford essential educational resources such as textbooks, exercise books, or even basic school supplies. He was falling behind in his studies and struggled to keep up with his coursework, leading to poor grades and a lack of motivation. Our Stay in School Project stepped in to provide him with a comprehensive resource package that included textbooks and other necessary school supplies. Additionally, our program offers our sponsored students free access to our Elimu Resource Centre that has all the educational materials including both online and offline learning resources and tutoring sessions to help students catch up academically. With the new resources and support, Jospheth was able to improve his academic performance significantly. He regained his confidence and motivation, leading to better grades and increased participation in class. Jospheth is now on track to graduate from high school this year and hopes to pursue higher education in science. Elimu will provide information on government bursaries and student loans to help him make his dreams come true.
The recent transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) represents a significant shift in Kenya’s educational approach, aimed at fostering critical thinking and practical skills among students. However, this transition has brought with it its own set of challenges. Many teachers and parents are grappling with the demands of implementing a new curriculum, which requires updated teaching methodologies and resources. This transition period has highlighted the need for comprehensive support and resources to ensure successful adaptation and implementation.
We as Elimu stand committed to ensuring that our children get access to quality education. We actively engage in initiatives aimed at overcoming barriers to learning. Through resource provision and capacity-building programs such as our mobile reading programme and our recent innovation that offers offline e-learning solutions, we strive to mitigate the impact of financial constraints, infrastructural deficits, and curriculum transitions on students, teachers, and parents.
“Our commitment to keeping kids in school is reflected in our steadfast support for inclusive and equitable education, as we work together with various stakeholders and mobilize resources to ensure every child can thrive and reach their full potential.”
– Phay, our Education Manager.
Our dedication to keep kids in school is underscored by its unwavering support for inclusive and equitable education. By collaborating with stakeholders, mobilizing resources, and advocating for policy changes, we endeavor to create a conducive learning environment where every child can thrive academically and realize their full potential.
As Kenya navigates the complexities of the educational journey, the commitment of Elimu remains strong in shaping a brighter future for our children through education. Together, through concerted efforts and collective resolve, we can overcome the challenges that hinder educational attainment and ensure that our children have the opportunity to receive a quality education.