Mutuku, M: Early Language Experiences and School Success

Most Kenyan parents continue to place a high value oneducation for both boys and girls, believing thateducation will increase economic opportunities fortheir children as well as enable them to better serveand build their communities. But despite new opportunities created bythe changing political climate and subsequent changesin educational policies, many challenges still exist,particularly for families living in rural areas. Theachievement gap between urban and rural children isevident in the score reports from the primary schoolexit exam . Communities are largelyresponsible for providing facilities, operationalexpenses, teaching equipment, teaching and learningmaterials, and numerous indirect expenses such asuniforms, transportation, and meals. Given thepoverty rates among rural Kenyan families, making themost of the new educational opportunities has beenimpeded by lack of economic opportunity, communityinfrastructure, and human resources. Additionalobstacles are rooted in changes in family structure,the impact of HIV/AIDS on the Kenyan population, andthe increasing number of parents working in urbanareas farther away from their children.