The Government of Kenya has taken great measures to increase the number of children attending school. Unfortunately this well-intentioned effort has created an undesirable outcome in most rural schools; they have seen an enormous influx in the number of children enrolled, yet do not have the resources to accommodate them. Many schools are extremely overcrowded and under-staffed, greatly reducing the quality of education the students receive. Primary schools often have 75-100 children in one classroom with one teacher. Not surprisingly, many drop out along the way and for those lucky enough to finish primary education, only a handful makes it to secondary school. Most of the dropouts are girls.

As students, girls suffer more from the consequences of over-crowding. Because of cultural traditions, girls are expected to finish school at a young age. Consequently, teachers and parents focus their limited time and resources on educating boys, who they believe have more to gain from the advanced opportunities. Under the assumption girls will withdraw, teachers tend to neglect girls and favor boys. For example, boys are offered tutoring in the evenings after classes. Girls, however, miss this extra support because they would be forced to walk home in the dark, increasing their risk of sexual assault during their journey.

Within the Maasai community, where girls are expected to marry at the time of adolescence and leave the parental family, only 11 percent of girls continue past primary school. These cultural practices and beliefs have enormously suppressed the ability of girls to realize their dreams of completing even a basic education.

In addition to lacking basic resources, the day schools do not have gender sensitive facilities and are equally unprepared to deal with gender specific needs. Without running water or proper toilet facilities, girls who have reached puberty are often unable to attend school during menstruation. Missing this much school puts girls at a severe disadvantage and greatly reduces their chances of continuing their education beyond the primary level.

Many studies have confirmed that investing in girls’ education produces positive results in solving the complex challenges facing developing countries. Educated women contribute significantly to the economy and to the political world. Education allows women to live safer and healthier lives. Despite compelling evidence that shows education helps the entire community and not just women, over 41 million girls are out of school worldwide.