On Saturday I came back to Loitokitok, but this time I was not a trainee - I was accompanying the new trainees! There are 25 of them, about 2/3 math-science like me and 1/3 deaf-ed. I got to give them this session at the start of the week comparing the Kenyan and education system. I gave them several cards with topics (i.e. diet, books, and tests). Each one related to the group their experience in the American educational system. Then me and the Kenyans in the room gave them the Kenyan experience. Below are my notes for the session.
Assignments - teachers mark notes in math/science maybe twice per three months; students given one exercise book for each subject by the school, where they put all of their notes and assignments together; assignments are not counted towards their grade in any subject (even mathematics)
Access to Information - teachers use the same book as the students; there are no computers or internet in most district schools; textbooks contain all testable material
Religion - there are always prayers (assemblies, special events, and meetings); attending religious clubs and services is mandatory, even in government schools
Hiring of Teachers - There is one central hiring body for the entire country (called Teachers' Service Commission); principal cannot hire or fire any government paid teachers; principal usually hires recent form 4 and college graduates to act as temporary teachers - these teachers usually work harder since they know that they can be fired
Diet - Students eat githeri (35% beans and 65% corn) for lunch and supper 6 days a week; Saturday they each corn flour, cabbage, and a little meat; for breakfast they eat a porridge made from corn flour, water, and sugar
Games/Clubs - Mon: Games, Tues: Clubs, Wed: Debate, Thur: Christian services, Fri: Games - ALL DAYS MANDATORY.
Tests - They come to secondary school to take the KCSE (Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education). In their minds, the main purpose of school is to prepare them for this test
Teacher-Student Relationships/Interaction - culture dictates that students get teachers anything they ask for (cups, chairs, and water); Very formal; information comes from teacher to student
Books - There are several on the market, but the exam is set from one book, which is produced by KLB, a governmental organisation; this is the book used to set the KCSE; KLB produces the books for all subjects; it is made to be affordable, which means it is not edited often, it is small, and there are no color illustrations; KLB is used in 90% of schools as the only text
Timetable - no time between lessons; each class has their own room, which the teachers come to when it is time; one student is in charge of keeping time and ringing the bell; there is a different order to the classes everyday
Study Habits - Boarding students are required to study from 5:30-6:30am, 7-8:30am, and 7-9:30pm everyday; all students required to attend school on Saturday and Sunday although teachers do not attend these days
Cultural Work Expectations For Teachers - they should be in staff room from 8:30-4; they do not take work home; a lot of time in the staff room is spent reading the newspaper and talking to one another
Students' Responsibilities at Home - girls find wood, bring water, cook, and clean; boys have leisure time, which they can use to study or sit in the market
syllabus - there is a national syllabus; all topics are examinable on the KCSE; teachers are expected to cover every topic
Women/Men & Boys/Girls - students are always called boys and girls; students are not called men or women; women serve food (even women teachers are usually expected to serve the males); girls always wash the classroom; girls caned on hands while boys are caned on the butt
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