Habari, mimini Julie !

This is the first month in Shianda is already over! We had been warned that time flies at a crazy speed!

Students from Khabakaya Primary School

I am Julie Escoffier, I am French and I am Aid Volunteer of EU in Shianda, Kenya for 6 months.

My field of work is childhood, education and child protection as a whole.

WEFOCO and MONDO are partners of 8 schools in Shianda-Mumias area and the teachers will be my privileged interlocutors.

Class 2, mathematics, Mug'ang'a Primary School

The Kenyan school system is structured as follows:

- ECD classes for the little ones from 3 to 6 years old, with two levels of class (not obligatory)

-Primary school with 8 levels of classes, named Class 1 to Class 8

-Secondary school with 4 levels of classes, named from class 1 to class 4

Like us, children start primary school at 6 years old. The school year starts in January and is punctuated by three holiday periods: April, August and December.

To move from one class to another, students take exams at the end of the year, which are multiple choice questionnaires for the 6 subjects studied in class: Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), English and Swahili (official languages), Social Studies (History, Geography) and CRE (Christian Religious Education).

Example of the first two pages of questionnaire for class 6

  

At the end of the primary and secondary cycle, there are national examinations whose results define the possible continuation of schooling.

Although primary school is compulsory, it is not free, even for public schools. Families must buy school uniforms for children, all supplies and exams are also paid. The money problem prevents many children from going to school normally: some start later, or have to stop in school. The fact that the school generates a lot of expenses for the family also puts a lot of pressure on the children, it is not question of not succeeding otherwise it is the stop of the schooling.

MONDO, in these many actions, has created a "Brilliant Fund to support students and promote education" in Africa, and helps support the schooling of more than 150 children in the Shianda area, children from the most vulnerable families.

If you are interested, visit the Mondo website: https://mondo.org.ee/en/donate/brilliant-fund/

Accompanied by Sophia and Gladys, both coordinators between WEFOCO, MONDO and the partner schools, I was introduced to the principal teachers of these schools, then to the teachers themselves to discuss my background, my presence here for 6 months and on their expectations for a partnership / exchange of knowledge and practices. I could also participate in some observation time in classes.

My teacher training program obviously depends on my personal background and I wish to discuss with them the rights of the child, the right to education in particular and the teaching methods that facilitate the child's participation. to his own development.

The first hours of training for teachers will begin in early July.

I can not wait for it to start but I must say that I am a little stressed too ... So, I cross my fingers!