Education

Why Kisii pupils do so poorly

Details

Published on Saturday, 09 June 2007 01:19

Kisii schools - especially in Nyamira District - have performed persistently poorly for years. A detailed study reveals what is responsible for it.
Kisii traditions have contributed to the situation more strongly than has any other factor. Culture usually has a deleterious influence on academic progress. Schools are built on a clan basis. Every clan prefers to build a school with a clan-based administration. For example, locals demand that school heads come from the same clan. The same applies to teachers. They prefer to work closer home to maintain their relationships with the rest of the clan instead of being transferred to other areas to be exposed to change. Traditional beliefs, like witchcraft, contribute a great deal. Most teachers from other provinces are not willing to work in Kisii for fear of witchcraft. It is an issue that cannot be solved even in the next century. Religious and philosophical attitudes have a great impact, too. Since many of the inhabitants are Sabbath keepers, they spend most of their time in youth camps during term. Saturday is an official holiday and no parent allows his or her child to attend school. The poor performance in languages is due to the fact that Ekegusii is viewed as both the mother tongue and the official medium of communication. Teachers and pupils communicate in Ekegusii. Economic factors have a role to play, too. Many teachers spend their time doing business instead of teaching. Teachers are found on other payrolls, not in class. Because the region grows tea, bonuses are paid yearly. Once this is done, many families separate to reunite after one or two months, when the money is finished. As a result, children often lack fees. Laxity by school heads to integrate teachers to work effectively as a team is another factor. Most heads play a passive role since the teachers who perform well are not motivated and give up. Excess freedom of youth encourages mass failures - especially after initiation. Drinking among them is a common practice. Early marriage, divorce and family instability are also causes