Updates

With back-to-school happening around the United States, we’re taking a look at Kenya’s new CBC Education Model.

Since 1985, all students in Kenya have had to take a life-changing exam at the end of the 8^th grade. This exam is an incredibly stressful event for girls and boys. If your marks aren’t high enough to qualify you for High School, you had to find a new path. Typically this meant girls were sold as child brides and boys became herders, warriors or must find a job. There is a significant amount of embarrassment and shame because it looked like these students failed the family and anyone who sponsored and paid for their education.

Recently, Kenya revolutionized its educational system, replacing its 8-4-4 system with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) model. While it is very complex, in a nutshell, it changed its focus from rote memorization and exam-based learning, to a learner-centered approach designed to develop critical thinking, creativity and practical skills.

This year is a significant year in the transition. The CBC model was implemented in 2017 for first-year students only and was slowly implemented as new students entered the education system. This year marks the first year that 8^th grade students will not have to sit for the intense Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam.

Students may move on to the next grade regardless of their grades and testing results. It is an incredible opportunity for students who may take longer to mature. Additionally, the new system focuses on teaching to the child, taking into consideration different learning styles and learning disabilities.

Even with the support and resources the WADADA Children’s House offers our WADADA Students, in the 8-4-4 model, some of our students were not able to achieve the marks necessary for High School. Thankfully we were able to enroll these students in a vocational school to learn a trade, but many students in the region cannot afford this. Now, however, all students will have the opportunity to continue with their education, giving them the opportunity to mature, grow and learn.

We are excited to see how this change to the schooling model helps our WADADA students grow even more!

Despite the future potential, there is one new change that poses a challenge to Hope for the Hopeless. Previously, medical expenses were covered by school fees. However, they must now be paid out of pocket. So far this has turned out to be a significant expense to the ministry. As it is currently the middle of winter in Kenya, many of our students have had to be treated for illnesses to prevent pneumonia. We also need to keep resources available for unexpected medical costs, such as broken bones or snake bites.

Please consider making a donation to help us grow our medical fund to cover both day-to-day medical costs, and emergency expenses.