The government of Kenya recently introduced compulsory primary education to all Kenyan children. All parents now send their children to school. Despite the influx of students, rural schools remain overburdened due to inadequate access to equipment and facilities. Typical primary schools in my region have an average of 100 children in one class with one teacher.

Education for girls in Maasai culture is not a priority. For those lucky enough to finish primary education, only a handful makes it to secondary school. Parents tend to spend limited resources on educating boys rather than girls, whom are expect to marry and leave the family. According to Maasai culture, girls marry at the time of adolescence, which corresponds to the completion of primary school for most young girls (age 13).

As students, girls are significantly affected by overcrowding. Under the assumption girls will withdraw, teachers tend to neglect girls and favor boys. Teachers show reluctance to spend limitted resources or time on girls, failing to push them to learn enough to pass the national exams required in Kenya for secondary school enrollment. In rural areas, gender bias compounds challenges facing girls who already lack skills offered to students at elite private academies located in urban centers.

Today, girls’ education is considered a bad investment. In contrast, my Academy for Girls will demonstrate that investing in girls’ education yields substantial returns. Those who attend the Academy will be encouraged, supported, and mentored. Expense will not be an impediment; my Academy plans to grant scholarships to all students in need. Quality education will be the standard – small classes, rigorous academic subjects, and extracurricular activities. Read more about my Academy