The Uwezo Kenya e-bulletin

Lawrence Sparks Change at Bartabwa Primary School

KE/02/2014 To our esteemed Uwezo Partners and Friends Receive our greetings for this second quarter of the year 2014. This e-bulletin shares updates on what is happening among the Uwezo network, so that you are well informed. We wish to thank all partners who have remained diligent in sharing articles and photos. We look forward to receiving a small write-up or photos from you, that may appear in our next issue of Uwezo e-bulletin.

Concerned with the outcome of the 2013 KCPE and KCSE examinations, Lawrence Kipruto Kiplagat (an Uwezo Kenya partner in Baringo North District - since 2011), organized for a stakeholders’ meeting to deliberate the issue. ‘‘I was shocked by the poor results posted in the district with only 210 students, representing less than 1%, scoring grade C+ and above’’ commented Lawrence. Lawrence laments that an A Grade is exceptional in his district. For instance in the whole district only four A- (A minuses) were attained by one girl and three boys. Performance was also poor in KCPE. In April 2013, together with the Bartabwa Ward member of the County Assembly, Lawrence formed a Sub-Location educational committee that aims to improve learning in 28 primary schools. Lawrence shared the Uwezo Kenya 2012 ALA Report in this committee and what perplexed many was the high absenteeism rate among teachers and learners as well as the low learning outcomes.

The MCA Mr Reuben Chepsongol went ahead and sponsored revision examinations for Class 8 pupils as well as meeting parents to reinforce the message about parents’ roles in supporting their children’s learning. Lawrence’s strategy is to continue lobbying for quality education through, and more advocacy from, the MCAs because they

are the people representatives at the grassroots level. By winning them over to the cause he is confident of being able to

continue disseminating Uwezo findings and agitating for change.

Lawrence Kiplagat encouraging Class 8

pupils at Bartabwa Primary school

Building Learning In-roads in Embu County; Gitonga Strikes Deal for Slum Children

Sospeter Gitonga

Meet Mr Sospeter Gitonga, Uwezo regional coordinator, Karatina. Since 2011 he has been a key

player in Embu County and has formed linkages with the Embu County Government, Kenya

National Farmers Federation (KENAFF) and the Embu business community. He works with these

groups to reach ordinary citizens and engage them in education issues.

After conducting the assessment, reading and absorbing the Uwezo theory of change and

consulting widely, Gitonga wanted to work on the question that we at Uwezo always ask: how can we initiate home grown initiates to salvage the education of our children? In April 2014 Gitonga worked with the County Government, KENAFF, the Embu business community and the locals to promote early childhood development education. “I have always wanted to see an improvement in Early Childhood Development Education so as to improve the education status in Embu County.’’ he said.

Gitonga made sure that his dream was achieved by involving the County Government and other stakeholders to try to create

ECDE Centers.

During one of the Uwezo presentations, the Governor was shocked to realize that 51% and 45% of Class 3 pupils could not read Class 2 level paragraphs in English and Kiswahili respectively. “We are producing educated illiterates in Embu County and this must stop”, said the Governor. Gitonga’s campaign bore fruit as the Sub-County agreed to set aside money to: build ECDE Centers to cater for children from the Embu town slums enroll street children into public primary schools in the area provide sanitary towels to school girls By attending these forums, Gitonga has also created cost free spaces to disseminate the Uwezo assessment reports. In the month of April he shared nine East Africa reports, 100 Uwezo summary reports and 14 Uwezo 2012 national reports. The month of June is equally busy for Gitonga who is planning to submit a petition to the Governor on the proposed issues to be implemented by the County Government in the 2014/2015 financial year. Of course, quality education is one of the main proposals. We are very excited to see how far these efforts can go and look forward to hearing more about them.

Dust to Desk; Barroh’s hands raise Ksh 40,000 through Social Media

Meet Mahmud Barroh a partner in Kwale County since 2011 who has been a key player in forming linkages with stakeholders in the education sector and engaging citizens in promoting learning outcomes. Mahmud’s entry point was in 2012 when he was contracted by Women Education Researchers of Kenya to research on multiple grade and shift schools in Msambweni

district.

Through this work, Mahmud identified an opportunity where the Uwezo concept of Rafiki wa Elimu could be given new life. He worked with citizens, the Lungalunga Constituency Development Fund Committee and the County Education executive in Kwale to improve learning facilities in Maropheropheni Primary School.

As Mahmud puts it, “I was devastated by the state of Maropheropheni Primary School where children sat on logs and blocks outside under a tree with a stone slab being used as a chalk board.” Mahmud led a spirited campaign through social media and it was a matter of time before the Community Development Fund (CDF)Committee pledged to put up four classrooms. Mahmud also mobilized his friends and together they raised Ksh 40,000 which was enough to purchase 15 desks and transport them to the school. The Area MP Hon. Khatib Mwashetani, CDF Committee and MCA Mwereni Hassan Pojjoh visited the school recently for the ground breaking ceremony meant to build four classrooms at a cost of Ksh5.2 million. Mahmud believes that he can make a change in his community and that education is the best thing you can give to your child. We salute your work Mahmud!

Launch of Uwezo 2013 district ranking sheet on learning

inequalities;

At National (Nairobi) and county level (Baringo,

Bungoma, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet, Homabay, Lamu, Kisii,

Kisumu, Marsabit,Nandi,Turkana, Wajir) - 17th June 2014

Partners’ meetings - Week of 14/7/2014

Trainers’ Induction - Week of 7/7/2014

Regional coordinators induction- Parallel to Trainers’

induction - week of 7/7/2014

Regional trainings - week of 28/7/2014

Uwezo Kenya 2014 National conference -

week of 27-31/8/2014

Uwezo 2014 National assessment -

15th September –5th October 2014

Upcoming events

Mahmud Barroh

This publication is produced by Uwezo Kenya. It does not necessarily reflect the position of Uwezo Kenya and its aligned partners.

For feedback kindly write directly to Kenya@uwezo.net. Contributors: Sospeter Gitonga, Mahmud Barroh and Lawrence Kiplagat

Prepared by Kelvin Mwebia (Communication intern) & Izel Kipruto (Assistant Program Officer - Communication)

Are you looking for key information on improving learning in your district? Here You Go! Empowering teachers to become change makers http://stireducation.org/micro-innovations Do you know the worst performing district in East Africa is from Kenya? Check the East Africa 2013 ALA Report-it could be your district! http://www.uwezo.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2013-Annual-Report-Final-Web-version.pdf

Sospeter Gitonga distributes Uwezo reports to Embu budget education committee

Send your story highlighting what you are doing, why you are doing it, where, when

and how you are doing it to kenya@uwezo.net

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