Education-A single definition of the word ‘education’ does not exist. Different schools of thoughts define the word differently.
Education may be defined as the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it simply is the process of educating or being educated. Education encompasses both the teaching and learning of knowledge, proper conduct and technical competency. It focuses on the cultivation of skills, trades or a profession as well as mental, moral and aesthetic development (Wikipedia) Etymologically the word education comes from the Latin ‘educate’ meaning ‘to lead out’.
Eric Hoffer famously stated that ‘The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people’.Primary Education- Also called elementary education; primary education consists of the first years of formal, structured education. In Kenya, primary education consists of eight years of schooling, starting at age six or seven. Schools that provide primary education are called primary schools. There has, however, been noted a lack of world perspective on education (Lofthouse et al)Universal Primary Education- This term is basically used to refer to the second Millennium Development Goal. It refers to a state in which all children attend and complete a full course of primary schooling.
A country is said to have completed a campaign towards universal primary education when all her children have been enrolled in schools. The most recent developing countries to achieve this include China, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Chile.INTRODUCTIONAchievement of universal primary education is the second of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG).The millennium development goals refer to a list of eight international development goals that United Nations Member states have committed themselves to achieve by the year 2015. Other goals include: Reducing extreme poverty, reducing child mortality rates, fighting disease epidemics such as AIDS and developing a global partnership for development, among others.These goals were officially established at the Millennium summit in 2000.
During the summit, the world leaders adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration, from which the eight goals were promoted. The goals were in recognition of the need to assist impoverished nations more aggressively. The goals aim to spur development by improving social and economic conditions in the world’s poorest countries.The North Eastern province of Kenya is one of the most marginalized regions in terms of education.
A very dismal percentage of children here attend school. This can partly be blamed on the economic and social life of the people. However, there is no justification whatsoever as to why the communities living in this area should be denied their right to education. There has been a dire longing in these communities for an education system that is synchronous to their way of life.PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThis project sets out to ensure that every child of school-going age in Eastern Province gets to attend and complete primary school. The underlying idea behind this project is that the communities living in this region do not have to abandon their way of life in order for their children to receive a decent education.
These people are always on the move, looking for greener pastures for their cattle, which provide for their livelihood. They usually move with their families and, usually, an entire clan moves as a whole. The children are also involved in this nomadic way of life. Thus this project seeks to establish ten(10) mobile schools, which will accompany these clans as they move from one place to another.The school materials and equipment shall be carried by the camels which these communities have in plenty. The teachers also have to accompany the group.
The y will be expected to be highly committed.Whenever the communities happen to settle temporarily, tents will be set up and be utilized as the classrooms. The children will be leaving their respective families and come to the tents, where they shall be effectively taught by the accompanying teachers. The books that the school owns shall also be carried along with the caravan.
CONCLUSIONThe best gift that a society can give to its children is the gift of education. Education is the epitome of human empowerment, without it we are impaired intellectually and cannot attain happiness and fulfillment in life. It is in lieu of these factors that education was declared a basic human right. Universal primary education is achievable, and shall be realized if all signatories to the declaration abide by their promises.The people of North Eastern Province of Kenya remain a marginalized group and, unless many such initiatives are brought up, the attainment of the millennium development goals shall remain a mirage for a long, long time.
Every effort must be made to ensure that these people’s basic rights are respected to the latter.
