A non-government organization is building libraries for primary schools near the Maasai Mara game reserve, Narok West Sub County, to boost learning.
Olive Seed Foundation Kenya has already built five libraries in different institutions and intends to extend the initiative to over ten schools located near the world-famous game reserve.
The organization’s Director Amos Ole Kipeen said the move was triggered by the introduction of Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) that is more practical than the old 8-4-4 that had a lot of theories.
“The libraries are equipped with CBC materials that can help the young learners easily identify their talents and work to improve on them. The materials are also beneficial to the CBC teachers,” he said during an education forum held at Aitong Primary School.
He revealed that the organization is funded by an American group that deals with education and their focus is improving schools in the interiors.
Some of the institutions that have already benefited from the program are Mara discovery center and Aitong Primary school.
“Most of the children living around the game reserve are from poor backgrounds and the parents cannot afford to buy learning materials required in the CBC system of education. We have come in to provide all those materials so that they can benefit like any other child in the country,” he said.
Barbara Marcus, a representative of Olive Seed from America maintained that education was the key to success and can change the livelihoods if young people are well mentored.
She noted that her organization was concentrating on building libraries because they are a source of knowledge and ideas and vital facilities in the learning process.
“We are happy to see young children willing to learn. We will continue working with the ministry of education so that we can build more libraries in this region,” she said.
Aitong Primary School head teacher Julius Kuyioni lauded the organization for establishing the facility in the school saying it will attract more learners to school and make the learning process more interesting to the young children.
“The materials equipped are ideal for the young learners. It will make learning enjoyable hence improving the school population and attendance,” the head teacher said, adding that since the school was opened over 30 years ago; it has never had a library.
By Ann Salaton
