School in Kenia

Since 2003, elementary school attendance has officially been free of charge. In 2023, the school system was also overhauled with the aim of meeting the needs of the ever-growing population. The new school system is to be finally implemented by 2027. The school reform now provides for attendance at a 2-year pre-school (preschool), followed by 6 years of elementary school and secondary school. These are divided into “Junior Secondary School” and “Senior Secondary School” and each provide for a further 3 years of education. After senior secondary school, students have the opportunity to study at university for a further 3 years. The new school system should mean that the nationwide final examinations are weighted less and that the different talents of the pupils have more scope and are better promoted. It all sounds really good on paper, but unfortunately the reality is very different. There is a lack of teachers throughout the country and the teacher-pupil ratio has deteriorated to 1:100. In some cases, class sizes in the slums in particular have therefore increased to up to 200 - 300 pupils per class. Those who want a better teacher-pupil ratio for their children are still forced to pay school fees to send their children to one of the many private schools. At public elementary school, only the school fees are waived. The costs for food, school uniform, books, exercise books and pens as well as fees for admission to the school or participation in the annual final examinations remain. Anyone who arrives at school without the appropriate equipment is sent home again. As a result of this situation, 3 out of 10 pupils currently do not manage to stay at elementary school until their final exams. Secondary schools are fee-paying comprehensive schools. Attending secondary school costs an average of one euro per day. Due to the costs, these schools are inaccessible to large parts of the population, even if the private schools occasionally award scholarships. Only 37.5 percent of young people in Kenya make it to secondary school. 13.7 percent of graduates then qualify to attend university.