By Kenneth Munene Gitari-Founder RICCA-Kenya
Kirinyaga County, known for its beautiful agricultural landscapes, has the highest school dropout rate in Kenya at 24%, with 16% of primary school students leaving before completing their education, according to the 2019 National Census. This high dropout rate leads to many problems, such as unemployment, alcohol abuse, early marriages, higher crime rates, and a cycle of hardship.
The main root causes of school dropout identified include the following:
Teacher shortage: Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers is challenging in rural regions, as many prefer to stay in their local areas, focusing on settling down, farming, and supplementing their meager salaries with other businesses.
Facilities in School: Kenyan rural public education suffers from inadequate facilities, such as few dilapidated latrines, no running water, overcrowded classrooms, and poor academic results.
Poverty: The common practice of farming significantly contributes to school dropout rates among poor households especially due to child labour. Climate change, shrinking land sizes, low produce prices, and erratic rainfall further strain families, making it difficult for parents to afford education.
Cultural factor: there is still a strong emphasis on educating boys compared to girls. Speaking the native language hinders students from engaging with the curriculum and participating in classroom activities.
In 2003, the Kenyan government introduced free primary education in public schools which led to huge enrolments without expanding facilities and learning materials while the teacher-to-student ratio remained low.
Few NGOs operate in rural areas, focusing mainly on technical farming, business training for women, youth skills development, and providing scholarships to students still in school rather than those who have dropped out.
There is a critical need to focus on sufficient learning materials and technology, improving the quality of schools and teacher training, and raise parental awareness raising on the importance of education.
Through our brand name Rika, we envision a rural society free from child poverty, where children feel connected and can succeed both academically and socially. The word “Rika” means “identities formed over shared experiences within an age group” reflecting our commitment to supporting children’s growth through childhood, adolescence, and beyond.
The Rika Afterschool Center provides a child-friendly, inclusive, and safe space for children to learn and thrive. Serving children aged 6-14 from surrounding villages in Kirinyaga County, the center offers a supportive environment for completing homework, receiving tutoring, and engaging in creative skill development and extracurricular activities. We offer children a refuge from the pressures of farm work and the risks of child labour, liquor, and sex.
Facilities at the center include a library, a computer lab, an African storytelling space, the Rika Digi Corner for computer skills, the Rika Studio for music and art, and an Open Playfield for sports and games. Children will also participate in sustainable agriculture activities through the Rika Kids Model Farm.
The program is child-driven, emphasizing self-leadership and personal growth, with additional weekend and holiday learning opportunities. Workshops on various skills and targeted education on adolescent topics will also be provided while involving the parents.
We will facilitate exchange visits between urban and rural children, promoting intercultural dialogue and shared experiences. These visits aim to bridge the gap between their different lifestyles, offering valuable learning opportunities for both the groups.
With Rika, we want to create safe, inclusive spaces for children so that they can access quality education regardless of their background. We envision a rural society free from child poverty, where children feel connected and can succeed both academically and socially.