Transcript Preschools in Kenya

Preschools in
Kenya
Mackenzie Gorman
Early Childhood Education
and Child Psychology
double major
Preschools in Kenya
 The




purpose of this assignment is;
To learn more about Kenya's preschool
education
Further my knowledge about other
preschool systems around the world
Educate my peers about their curriculum
Create a creative power point presentation
about what I have learned during my
research and help teach others what I
have learned as well
Kenya’s Preschool Curriculum




Before 1980 preschool education, which was for
children ages 1- 6, was the responsibility of local
communities such as churches, voluntary organizations,
local authorities, and individual investors. Not from nongovernmental organizations.
At that time there were only six preschool training
centers.
The government took over the responsibility for preschool education in 1980.
The government now has taken over the responsibility of
training of preschool teachers, the preparation and
development of the curriculum, and the preparation of
teaching materials.
Kenya’s Preschool Curriculum





Early childhood education in Kenya did not get much attention
until the late 1980s. They didn’t focus on early childhood education
before because after independence in 1963, the main priorities
were to create a uniquely Kenyan ideology, politics, and
constitution.
Since the economy was still rural-based, childhood education
didn’t become a necessity until the industrialization of the country
increased.
As industries developed in the urban areas and more Kenyans
started to work away from home, the demand for early childhood
(preschool) education increased.
The preschool education program has grown tremendously over
the past 20 years.
The number of children attending preschool in 1990 was 800,000,
while the number of preschool teachers was about 20,000. Showing
the increased ratio.
Kenya’s Preschool Curriculum




Primary education in Kenya began the first phase of the
formal educational system. Starting from age 6 and going
for 8 years.
Before the expanding of schools in the early 1970s, the
beginning age didn’t matter. But, as school enrollment
increased in the late 1980s, a starting age for attending
school became necessary.
The main purpose of primary education is to prepare
children to participate fully in the social, political, and
economic well being of the country.
The primary school curriculum has been designed to
provide a functional and practical education that caters to
the needs of children who finish their education at the
primary school level, and to those who continue with
secondary education.
Kenya’s Preschool Curriculum




There are both public and private primary schools in the
country. But most are public schools and depend on the
government for their operational expenses.
The government provides teachers, salaries, schools
supplies, and equipment.
Children in public schools don’t pay school fees, but
rather pay contributions through a parent-teacher
association cost sharing system.
The responsibilities for the construction and
maintenance of schools and staff housing are left to the
parents.
Kenya’s Preschool Curriculum




Between 1970 and 1990, there was a large expansion in
preschools education. In 1970, there were 6,056
preschool with a total of 891,600 children.
At the same time there was 92,000 trained teachers.
This number increased by 1990 to over 14,690 preschools
with an enrollment of over 5 million children and nearly
200,000 trained teachers.
Also as the preschools expanded, there was a
significant increase in the number of girls in education.
At the beginning of independence, only about a third
of the enrollment in primary schools were female. And
by 1990 the number of girls attending school increased
to about 50 percent.
Kenya’s Preschool Curriculum



The curriculum subjects for the first eight years include: English,
Kiswahili, mathematics, science, music, history, civics, geography,
and religious classes to gain a well rounded education.
The vocational subjects include arts, crafts, agriculture, and home
science. Also involve drawing, painting, graphic design,
collage/mosaic, weaving, ornament-making clay-pottery, leather
work, modeling and carving, fabric designs, puppetry, woodwork,
and metal work. These subjects are well defined in the program of
study that should make a Kenyan education among the region's
best.
At the conclusion of preschools, students take a national exam and
receive a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. Graduates either
proceed to a secondary school for four years or join tertiary
institutions such as Youth Polytechnics, a technical training institute,
or the job market.
Kenya Preschool Projects

Some of the projects are; Big brother or sister program
 As a volunteer you will be a mentor by becoming a big brother
or sister to kids in a children's home. You can work alongside
local staff to help with classroom teaching and homework help,
childcare, and the daily operational running of the home.
Volunteers are also encouraged to initiate their own work by
organizing arts and crafts, music, dance, games, sports
activities, and day trips for the children.
 Having the opportunity to help children in need with children
who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, children who have
been abused by their parents and children whose parents are
not able to provide for them.
 These kids need love, attention, life skills, and education so they
can have successful futures free from poverty and filled with the
same opportunities as others.
Kenya Preschool Projects

Some of the projects are; Helping teaching
 Quality education for both boys and girls is crucial in
reducing poverty and promoting gender equality.
Schools in Kenya are currently struggling with
overcrowded classes and a lack of skilled teachers.
 As a volunteer you could help to empower girls and
boys by giving them the skills they need to overcome
poverty and to make their voice heard. We have
opportunities for volunteers to assist with teaching at
preschool, primary, and secondary levels.
 You could volunteer as a teacher and teach basic
English skills and carry out basic childcare duties.
Conclusion
 Kenyan
preschool have come a long
way in the past 20 years in regard to;





The population of students at the schools
The ratio of students to teachers
The amount of enrolled females in schools
The improvement of the educational classes
offered
The overall improvement of the educational
system
Work Cited




http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/773/K
enya-PREPRIMARY-PRIMARY-EDUCATION.html
http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/kenya/?g
clid=CIKyp87nk6wCFQjc4AodFz-BnA
http://www.villagecare.com/volunteer.php
http://www.nkcef.org/index.php?pageName=ken
yaeducation