Upfront Tales DONATE BOOKS TO SCHOOLS TO INCULCATE THE CULTURE OF READING Kenyans are believed to be a pretty creative lot. They have done things that have amazed the whole world including inventing the most sophisticated mobile money transfer-M-pesa that to date, remains the most puzzling talk of the town in both developing and developed nations. Yet behind such innovativeness lies a people who researchers claim have very little regard for the written word. This claim is evident in virtually all literary discourses carried in the local media and various platforms where scholars are frequently engaged. But perhaps most notable is the annual study conducted by UWEZO Kenya-the East African based research institution that assess the literacy and numeracy levels of learners in the three East African countries. In its 2012 report released last year, UWEZO reveals five damning facts about learning in Kenya. FACT 1: Nationally only 30% of children in class 3 can do class 2 work. FACT 2: 11 out of 100 children in class 8 cannot do class 2 math. 7 out of 100 of them can neither read a simple English or Kiswahili story. FACT 3: 1 out of 5 children in classes 6-8 cannot tell the meaning of the colours on the Kenyan flag. The facts can go on and on but the scope of this article is limited to the lack of a reading culture among Kenyans. In Kwale County, the trend is no different. For quite some time including last year and the year before, our schools have not posted impressive results in the national exams, both at primary and secondary levels. Consequently fingers have been pointed and questions raised as to who is to blame for the dismal academic performance. But more often than not, the matter ends there-with blame games directed at education stakeholders. Correct me if I’m wrong but there has hardly been a practical step to correct this anomaly. Last week however, Kwale Welfare and Education Association (KWEA) launched a Book Campaign aimed at inculcating a reading culture among the pupils and students of Kwale schools. The project dubbed “TUDUMISHE USOMAJI SHULENI” kicked off at Menzamwenye Primary School in Lunga-Lunga Sub-county in a ceremony graced by two Pwani University Dons-Profs. Gabriel Katana and Hassan Mwakimako. Four schools namely Menzamwenye, Mwache, Muhaka and Golini Primary Schools benefited from nearly 1000 books donated by KWEA. The presence of the two scholars and the County Director of Education Mr. Juma Mwatenga was not only symbolic but sent a clear message that Kwale County needs her sons and daughters to come out boldly and play their rightful role in restoring the dwindling academic performance. The ambitious book project is one of KWEA’s series of programmes focusing on elevating the county to the national limelight academically. Last year, KWEA launched an equally significant initiative-KWEA Annual Charity Walk where more than Ksh. 300,000 was raised to support desperate girls in Kwale. 28 primary and secondary school girls from the four sub-counties benefited from the programme. The second KWEA Annual Charity Walk is scheduled for first Saturday of December this year. The forthcoming activity is aimed at raising more funds to retain the same girls in school and possibly increase the number of beneficiaries. Other KWEA activities include giving motivational talks in schools, organizing debates and essay writing completions for sampled primary and secondary schools all over Kwale County. Meanwhile KWEA in partnership with Build Africa Kenya (BAK) and the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) will be rolling out another project aimed at improving the quality of primary school education in Kwale. A total of 72 primary schools in the former Msambweni and Kinango Districts will benefit from the project. “Kwale Girls Project will be focusing on the educational needs of disadvantaged girls, ensuring good quality learning experiences and addressing barriers that stop girls attending, participating and attaining high marks in primary school,” says Oliver Kemp, Build Africa CEO.
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 08:01:23 +0000
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