And now the "Really Bad" and the "Really Sad"

Earlier in the week, you prayed over the information in “‘Not Bad’ and Not Good” – now your prayers are needed for the “REALLY BAD and the REALLY SAD.” A week after the release of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam results for those completing high school, the Daily Nation carried this headline: “Government runs out of cash for free school” (3/10/09, pp.1,2). The reason given for this really bad news – money budgeted to support the 9.5 million students in government schools had been diverted to import food. Thankfully, within a few days the news was, “At last, free learning funds released” (Daily Nation, 3/14/09, p.1,2).

It takes little imagination to realize how schools were affected by this delay, especially as funds were also limited last year which depleted supplies such as chalk, textbooks and lab equipment. “Booksellers deny credit to schools” (Daily Nation, 3/13/09, p.37) reported that due to a bill of Sh1.7billion ($25 million), a national bookseller association has “resolved to stop giving credit facilities to public schools … ‘it appears that the free education scheme is collapsing,’ said Chairman John Mbugua.” Pray that this prediction is wrong. Many Kenyans find it a struggle to pay even the reduced costs of government schools and private schools are not an option for many families. Pray that kids accepted into high schools and universities will have the needed money to continue in their education.

Individuals involved in relief projects are also reporting that funds for free lunches at many schools have also ceased and thousands of kids are surviving on little or no food as Kenya faces drought or not attending due to hunger. As you pray for ample rains this rainy season – which could begin any day – pray that adequate relief supplies will reach those who are suffering. The local news continues to be filled with stories of graft and corruption in the government, so please pray that those making decisions for the country will make wise decisions that will benefit the poorest/hungriest/neediest citizens of Kenya.

The REALLY SAD news is that when the KCSE results were announced, girls once again scored much lower than boys. Only one girl was in the list of the top ten students and she was ranked fourth. There are many reasons for this discrepancy including traditional views and customs that lead to boys being challenged and facilitated in their abilities to study including less chores at home and more money spent on their tutoring and quality education. Praise God for schools like Nyeri Baptist High School who chose girls for their new Form One (Freshman) class based not only on the scores of the national exams for students completing Standard Eight, but on their class ranking – a good indicator of their desire to learn even in limited situations. Nyeri Baptist is also developing separate classes for the girls as research shows that in the Kenyan society girls who study in separate classes are more likely to reach their full potential. Thank you for praying, Bert Yates