What do people need to know? That the chemical formula for table salt is one part sodium and one part chloride (NaCl)? Probably not. That mountain barriers contribute to weather patterns? Maybe. That impure water leads to illnesses such as cholera? Definitely. Education is the best way to reduce poverty, but I am not sure what type of education is the best.

In Kenya, there is primary school which consists of nursery through class 8 (like preschool or kindergarten through eighth grade) and secondary school (the equivalent of our high school). In 2003 primary school became free to attend, but is not required, nor is it really free. Children must still pay for uniforms and books, plus there is the lost opportunity of helping their parents in the garden. Secondary school is significantly more expensive, as are the technical schools where students learn a trade. The education a student gets depends a lot on how much money they have.

The students learn by rote memorization. In a way, they are forced to as everything depends on two national exams: one after class 8 and one after form 4 (last year of secondary). The form 4 exams take nearly a month, and the students do two tests a day in various subjects. The “marks” they earn throughout the rest of school (including at midterm) are also determined by standardized tests rather than homework or projects. The tests are all multiple choice, with the exception of composition. The teachers correct all of the tests, so I’m not sure if some schools misreport grades (I know there is rampant cheating, however and that some schools have teachers who help write the exams and others don‘t). Also, the tests and answer keys contain mistakes. The teachers go through them to check for mistakes, and I have noticed in the English exams many poorly written questions with ambiguous answers. In math there is no partial credit, and other subjects it is really about what facts you know. The teachers must teach to the exam in order for the students to pass. Class size is usually around 40 (even in Kindergarten) but can become as big as 60. I feel for the teachers of the lower grades who must control a class that big.

Also of note is that religious education is taught in every school, including government run ones. There is a choice between Christian and Muslim religious education.

Terms are set up differently than the U.S.-- they have three terms of three months each separated by a one month holiday. School runs from Monday - Friday but class 7 and 8 and secondary students come on Saturday mornings for “tuition” (like review of certain subject areas). During the long holidays some students also come for tuition.

Primary school teachers go through two years of “teacher’s college.” Government schools pay more than private, but teachers generally do not have large salaries. Apparantly in some places it is a major issue that teachers run businesses instead of teaching. Classes are mostly taught in English, although there is also the subject of Kiswahili. I’m not sure how I feel about the language -- the students would perhaps have an easier time learning if they could use their mother-tongue, yet it is important for them to learn English and Kiswahili if they want to have future careers. In the secondary school students are beaten if they are caught speaking anything but English. While corporal punishment is fairly uncommon, I still see teachers with sticks they may use to hit the pupils’ hands. I am completely against this.

Despite the problems, more and more children are coming to school (although attendance does decrease during planting seasons) and the opportunities for higher education are increasing. In Don Bosco, the mission run school where I work, has a fairly well-rounded education and I can see the teachers really care about the children.

Clothing

The style of dress here (as you may have guessed) is a bit different than in the U.S. While I am still able to wear pretty much all of my clothes, I have made some modifications. For example, I (well... my mother really) shortened the straps on my shirts before I left -- even the ones bought from the "old lady" section. If I wear a skirt I often wear leggings underneath to ensure it is long enough. Occasionally I will see people wearing tight clothes, but they never show their knees or their shoulders.
The Leso/Khanga is a staple part of attire for women. It is a thin piece of cotton cloth that you wrap around your waist and it covers your skirt/pants to keep them from getting dirty. They have every kind of decorations, and many have Swahili sayings like "Getting pregnant isn't work, raising the child is!" or "A child is always a child to her mother." They have showed me how to tie mine many times, but I can never seem to get it to stay so I "cheat" by tucking it in.
Otherwise, the women generally wear skirts with blouses, often colorful. The female teachers in the school wear suits and the male teachers wear a button down shirt and nice pants. The clothing is very colorful and has fun patterns.
In Makuyu people only wear traditional dress for ceremonies and celebrations. But, in the Northern Part of Kenya you see people out tending their herds wearing many many beads and draped fabrics. The Gabbra men have something called a "shuka" which a patterned piece of material that feels a bit like a shower curtain sewed into a tube. They wear it like a skirt (or maybe more like a kilt). The Masaai beadwork is absolutely incredible, and symbolic -- it can show whether you are married, the oldest child etc. Some women only wear beads on the top, although this is becoming less common.
The hair is also important. In the primary school all the children are required to shave their heads as allowing long hair causes divisions between the rich and poor families. Intricately braided hair with decorations shows wealth. The older girls have many styles of braiding, and weaves and extensions are very popular. I am hoping to go to the "saloon" school here soon (they call hair stylists saloons and bars salons!) and have my hair done. It is quite amazing what they can do!