Empowering Boys Through Protection and Education: RICCA’s Commitment on International Day of the Boy Child
As we join the world in marking the International Day of the Boy Child, RICCA reaffirms its commitment to addressing the plight of boys through protection and education. At the heart of our mission is an emphasis on creating safe, inclusive, and open spaces where children can express themselves, explore their potential, and be facilitated to dream, regardless of their background.
Recognizing the Silent Struggles of Boys
In our theory of change, boys are central to our problem statement, as we recognize the silent struggles they go through. The unique vulnerabilities boys face are often overlooked. This oversight has profound implications on their education, self-esteem, and personal development.
RICCA aims to ensure boys are not left behind. By addressing their specific struggles, we contribute to our broader goal of tackling school dropout rates and child poverty in underserved communities.
The Numbers Speak Volumes
Primary Education
According to the Ministry of Education’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, the survival rate to Class 6 was 92.9% for boys and 96.2% for girls. By Class 8, the final year of primary school, the survival rate dropped to 79.7% for boys and 86.2% for girls. These figures highlight the significant dropout rates boys experience as they progress through school.
Secondary Education
In the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, 482,202 girls sat for the exam compared to 480,310 boys. Alarmingly, of the 48,333 candidates who scored a mean grade of E, 28,221 were male. Sub-county schools—which primarily serve students from low-income households—accounted for over 83% of these grades, underscoring systemic and socio-economic barriers that disproportionately affect boys.
Contributing Factors to Dropout Rates
Several factors contribute to the higher dropout rates among boys:
- Economic Pressures
Boys are often compelled to leave school to engage in income-generating activities such as manual labor or motorcycle taxi operations, especially in rural regions, where RICCA focusses on. - Lack of Male Role Models
Insufficient fatherhood and a lack of positive male role models negatively impact boys’ self-esteem and aspirations. Without these influences, many boys struggle to overcome societal stereotypes. - Educational System Challenges
The education system’s heavy focus on academic performance, especially from community including parents and teachers often overlooks the diverse abilities and circumstances of learners, causing disengagement among boys. - Societal Pressures
Embedded in traditional cultures, Societal expectations that boys must prove their masculinity or act as breadwinners place undue pressure on them. These expectations often lead to diminished self-worth, higher rates of crime, unemployment, and substance abuse.
RICCA’s Approach
At RICCA, we are committed to addressing these challenges by creating solutions that empower boys and provide them with opportunities that facilitate them to realize their dreams. Our initiatives include:
- Creating Safe Spaces: Establishing environments where boys can express themselves freely and receive the support they need.
- Climate change resilience and sustainable agriculture training : Targeted training to children through kids gardens to create change in approaches to agriculture which is the mainstay of rural economies with boys being the main players..
- Mentorship Programs: Partnering boys with positive male role models to guide and inspire them. Also promoting diverse skilling that addresses boys multiple talent paths from music, dance, theatre, art and sports to improving communication through story telling and digital skilling.
- Advocacy for Inclusive Education: Promoting reforms that ensure education systems cater to the diverse needs of learners.
On this International Day of the Boy Child, we call on all stakeholders to acknowledge the critical role boys play in building resilient communities and a better future. At RICCA, we remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering boys through protection and education, ensuring no child is left behind.