On this page, we have brought together information about the K-12 schools in Kenya. In order to discuss freedom of children within this particular school system, it is important to understand details of the structure of schooling. This page also includes a deep dive into one school in Kenya, The Children in Freedom School. It is important to learn about the mission of schools such as this one, to see what the education system is calling for in a place we may be unfamiliar with ourselves.
THE CHILDREN IN FREEDOM SCHOOL
There are many movements currently initiated to adapt education in Kenya, particularly to build an Afrocentric education system from one that has been Eurocentric and focused on American narratives. The Children in Freedom School located in East Africa is the only completely Afrocentric school in this region. Its curriculum alters Eurocentric texts through the addition of African names and local references, engaging students with a narrative that is more familiar to them. Both teachers and students are encouraged to use African names and they teach native tongues, so that children can feel free to express themselves in the language that feels most comfortable to them. The school is determined to help the children who attend their school to feel a greater sense of pride in who they are and where they come from.
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Image: Children Celebrating their Culture, by Children in Freedom Schools from https://cifschools.com/2021-2/
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LINKING TO FREEDOM
Embracing a student's cultural background plays a huge role in their self identity. By building confident and self-assured individuals, we set the world up for better future leaders. They are more likely to take advantage of their freedom and fight for positive liberties where they may be lacking. Without confidence, as children become adults, they tend to not take risks or push for change. They stick with whatever is happening, because that’s just the way it is. Our world needs leaders who are willing to act on the freedoms they are given, guiding young children to be confident in themselves truly helps in this process.
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Kenyan Public Schools | |
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HOW THIS RELATES TO KENYA
Looking at the statistics in Kenya, there are 33 million school-aged children who are not enrolled or attending school. Additionally, 50% of the students who do have the opportunity to go to school will drop out before graduating high school. This is upsetting to see because all children deserve an education. Education brings more freedoms and opportunities that so many children in Kenya are deprived of due to a lack of opportunity for education.