KENYA

Our Schools

The schools which we have adopted are located in Ol Joro Orok/Nyahururu, in Nyandarua District, Kenya.

Kenyan School Calendar

• In School- September and October
• On Break-November and December
• In School- January, February, March and the first week of April
• On Break- last 3 weeks of April
• In School- May, June, July and the first week of August
• On Break- last 3 weeks of August

This is a rural part of the country. They grow maize, corn, potatoes, peas  coffee and raise dairy cattle in the district.

Kenyan Education Facts

• In Kenya there is no specialization implying that any primary school teacher can teach any subject in any grade.
• In Kenya, there are six core subjects and 2 compositions which are: English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Christian Religious Education and English composition, Kiswahili composition. These subjects are tested at the end of year for one to graduate to the next Grade.

School Supplies

Textbooks:

The Government recommends a textbook-pupil ratio of 1:2. Currently some of our schools have a of ratio 1:4.

Once the text books are in the school, they are supposed to be properly covered and well maintained to last a minimum of 4 years.

Notebooks:

For student notebooks, the Government recommendations per year:

• Grades: 1-5 = 16 books/student of 64pages.
• Grades: 6-8 = 16 books/student of 120pages.
• Each subject including the 2 compositions require 2 notebooks per year.

Desks:

• Required desk-pupil ratio is 1:2 students.
• Some of our adopted schools have a current ratio is 1:3 students.

How much things cost in Kenya

Kenyan currency is called the Kenyan Shilling (KSh or KES). To illustrate the value of the Shilling, if the current exchange rate is 1 KES = 0.012 CAD (data from April 2012):

A tray of 30 eggs will cost 500 KES in Kenya, the equivalent of $6.00 CAD (500 KES x 0.012 CAD/KED).

The cost of:

Everyday items ...

• a litre of gas: Regular - 120.5 KES/L (1.45 CAD/L)
• tray of 30 eggs: 500 KES (6.00 CAD)
• a loaf of bread: 35 KES (0.42 CAD)
• a music CD: 50 KES (0.60 CAD)
• a pair of new running shoes: 4 000 KES (48.00 CAD)
• a pair of kid’s jeans: New - 1,000 KES (12.00 CAD) , Used 500 KES (6.00 CAD)

School supplies...

Compliments of: John Kariuki - Head Teacher of Kanguo Primary School, Ol Joro Orok, Kenya