Yes, it’s a “Big Deal”
963,000 Kenyan youth are on the starting line - facing the biggest hurdle of their lives - a chance to achieve a high school diploma and to earn a spot in college or university.
Nearly 1M students are writing national exams, that in many cases will determine their career and employment path.
1M families wait in suspense, knowing that all their sacrifices to pay school fees will either be a blessing or a disappointment.
1M youth face immense pressure to perform. They know full well that underachieving could be a disaster. Families will be devastated and some youth will in fact take their lives due to the shame of it all. Self esteem hangs in the balance.
Schools pride themselves in the scores of high achievers. Counties rank schools according to the percentage of students scoring in the A, A- and B+ range. Parents will pull their students out of a school with an average medium, directly affecting teaching staff and overall school budgets. Principals may even be forced by the community to resign - they too feel the shame and embarrassment.
Yes…this is a big deal.
Families with money prefer a private school or a National Boarding school. Programs there cost double and triple what parents have to pay at a local rural secondary school. Not only is there a two tiered system (private/public), there is a distinct difference between the quality of education received by those with means and those who struggle with the basic necessities of life.
In the western world, one will never see a youth hoisted on other shoulders, receiving praise for their academic prowess. Perhaps for one scoring a winning goal in a final match series, but not for scoring an A plain in Mathematics. Education in Kenya is valued at the highest level, mainly because it is seen as the key to future success.
963,000 Kenyan youth - their hopes and dreams are on the line. Prayers, all night vigils and promises made to the Almighty are happening right now.
Yes, this is a big deal.
Since 2004 CES Canada has been supporting Kenyan youth providing education scholarships at the secondary and post secondary levels. Over the next six weeks - 26 CES students will write the KCSE exams. They will do their best, and all have the potential to succeed. The groundwork has been made - school fees have been paid.
Yes, this is crunch time - for each of our CES family now beginning their KCSE exams - this is a big deal.
We may never know the pressure these students face - but one thing we do know and have learned over the past two decades…that when we provide the gift of learning to a needy young person, the impact is immense. Hope is increased and prospects of a better life are enhanced.
Yes, it is a big deal. And your support for our work in Kenya is also a big deal.
Please visit www.cescan.ca to learn more about how you can participate in Project PREPARE - Program to Reduce Poverty Provide Access to Rural Education.
