We try to follow through to see what happens to the children after they leave us. We don't know where all of them are, but they love to come back and tell us. We also get feedback via Friends of Dagoretti Children
We know how many children have benefitted year by year
2008 24 transferred
2009 19 transferred
2010 23 transferred
2011 24 transferred
2012 24 transferred
2013 22 transferred
2014 20 transferred
2015 26 transferred
2016 24 transferred
2017 20 transferred
2018 23 transferred
2019 35 transferred
2021 27 transferred
2022 33 transferred
2023 31 transferred
The children who have transferred now attend one of 6 schools in the locality. One of the local heads keeps in contact with us eager to take the next ‘batch’.
The state education system in Kenya changed in 2018 and is called the the 663 system, formerly 844. As this new competency based syllabus has been introduced the state ahs taken more responsibiity for pre primary education in years PP1 and PP2
2 years in pre-school or nursery with the new curriculum used to be our contribution which is now abvaiable to all in local schools. the government has decided it would prefer children under 3 to be at home and not in a nursery or pre unit.
The new syllabus is more sensory and closer to the work we have been doing
6 years in primary age 6 to 11,
6 years in Secondary from age 12 to 18,
3 years in University from age 18
Class sizes in state schools are say 50 plus (but we have seen 140) and the teaching style is talk, chalk and learning by rote. It is a successful system for those who survive it but there is little room for flexibility in terms of learning styles.
We already have our first three university applicants and we are pleased to be able to support past pupils in this way, as the costs of education at the higher level are high. Its not just about the academic career - it might also be vocational see our Nurse training
Sending the children off in style
School Uniforms are a requirement of attending state school in Kenya, so when our children graduate we kit them out. This is not a cheap exercise and we are delighted that Oadby Baptist Church and friends have been raising funds to make it possible for our children to be kitted with the best!
Each year approximately 30 children go off to 'Big School' and having a uniform is confidence building, especially if its a new one!
The excitement over a pair of new shoes is clear - probably the first pair of new shoes they have ever had. To give to this work just let me know
