For the new integrated science curriculum for lower secondary schools in Kenya, we had to have a science laboratory so the children can learn through hands on experience.
As part of the changes in 2023 to the structure of primary and secondary education in Kenya, the Ministry of Education made it mandatory for lower secondary schools to have a well-equipped science laboratory. Obviously, this gives the children the opportunity to learn through practical experience. But it comes with a challenge that the cost is around £5,000, a massive sum for any school in Kenya.
Fortunately, a donor stepped forward and gave a specific donation to fund our new science laboratory. The great news is our own children are fascinated by science and take their lessons very seriously.
As youth employment is growing in Kenya, the new secondary education curriculum in Kenya is very competency based. The early secondary school curriculum aims initially to give children a practical education to prepare them for the world of work. If they are lucky and can afford the next stage of their education, they will then follow one of three pathways in the next three years at upper secondary school:
So without a science lab a secondary school will not get a licence. We are one of only two schools in the entire area that have been issued with a licence. That’s heavily influenced because we have a well-equipped science lab and also a playground. Both are compulsory.
We were recently visited by the head teacher of a local government lower secondary school. He was so impressed with Bombolulu Secondary School that he asked if he could send a teacher and some pupils to take a science lesson in our school.
In his school, there are 3 teachers for the entire lower secondary school of 3 years and 300 children. That’s 100 children per teacher. What’s worse, the children all have to pay fees as it’s a government school, and they still have poor or no facilities. We are so lucky that our sponsors and supporters provide the funding to make our school very special indeed – for a group of very poor but very hard-working children.
Across Kenya there has been a shortfall of 90,000 teachers, hence the huge class sizes. The government was unable to tackle the deficit due to the dire economic situation in Kenya. In 2022 they launched a drive to recruit an additional 30,000 teachers, but this still leaves a huge shortfall, and it will take time to train and develop the new teachers.
Our thanks go to our business coach, Alan Brighton from ActionCOACH, and his business clients, who used a training initiative to raise the £5,000 needed for the laboratory and the equipment.
Shereen Ajumal, a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Sleaford, met up with her four sponsored children recently via Zoom. During that meeting, one of them mentioned that she liked swimming. Interesting! It turns out that none of the children in the school have ever been to a swimming pool.
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RotaKids clubs within schools are part of the worldwide Rotary organisation. This school club, Sheerhatch RotaKids, sponsors Pressy – to ensure her education and food for a year at least.
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For those who support or would like to support the poor children in the school at Bombolulu, you can now chat to them and take a look around the school on Zoom.
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