It was an undertaking of the current Kenyan Government to ensure all children had access to Primary (6 to 15) Education, a policy that has largely been implemented although funding has been minimal and the curriculum is delivered with very few resources.

However, in many regions communities ensure that both Nursery (3 to 6) and Secondary (15 to 18+) education is available although these have to be funded by the parents/communities which is problematic when so many of the pupils are either total or partial orphans.

Other than in Primary Schools teachers are not state paid unless the school can gain state recognition. Therefore a school might have no governmental support at all or might be partially funded with a Head Teacher being paid and the remainder of the staff working either as volunteers or being paid by the community. Where money is short this payment might even be in the form of food crops or maize donated by the parents.

The children in the Oyugis area are taught in a combination of Luo (their native tongue), English, and Kiswahili (their national language) throughout the education system, albeit that the formal exams are all taken in English.

Nursery Schools
Approximate equivalent of UK Infants

The huge advantage of these is that the carers of the children (often grandparents or widows in the community) are freed to tend their crops and do chores whilst the children are at school. With some widows caring for up to 17 children, maintaining a homestead (a shamba) is a vital necessity.

Social interaction occurs although toys as we know them are few and it is at school where many children are given their only meal of the day (maize-based porridge). The Nursery Schools where a meal is provided are frequently over-attended with many children walking over 2km (usually alone) to and from school each day.

Most children wear the uniform of the school even though carers of the children stress the difficulty they have in providing the uniform but feel their children are disadvantaged if they do not wear it.

Primary Schools
Approximate equivalent of UK Junior & Secondary

Compulsory for all 6 – 14 year olds, most pupils attend although for some older total orphans growing food for siblings takes priority. Pupils move from up from one grade to the next at the end of each year providing they meet the grade necessary to move on (250/500 marks) in the Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) tests.

Despite being state funded, facilities and equipment are in short supply.

The curriculum covered is very similar to the UK although teaching methods are very different.

Secondary Schools
Approximate equivalent of UK 6th Form

Pupils showing academic potential are encouraged to continue into Secondary education although on average it costs approximately £300 per year for a child to attend. This is not affordable for many so payment is sometimes made in maize or on a daily basis. There tend to be four "Grades" with formal Kenyan examinations being taken in Mathematics, English, Kishwahili, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, RE, History, Agriculture, and Business in the final grade.

Some Secondary Schools now run Health Clubs where the young people are educated in the spread of HIV/AIDS. Many pupils return home to look after a family. Where possible schools like to provide a midday meal (porridge or a vegetable) as they are aware of how hunger affects concentration and learning.

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