Namibian idea inspires Ngong Educationist

by eCentury Team
It is unique, innovative and empowering. It is giving hope to adults who dropped out of school in their teens. It gives a new lease of life to all who dropped out of school for reasons beyond their control. The institution is Ngong Centre for Open Learning located in Ngong Town.

The centre has two sets of students: the old and the young pursuing either KCPE or KCSE studies. The adults ranging from 20 years and above in form one to four do not wear uniform. These adults are either married, employed or single. Lawrence Oketch, a 24-year-old is a form one student and so is Lawrence Muchai 28. These adult students have gone through the toughest moments of their lives. For instance for Muchai, his parents divorced when he was twelve in 1994, and his mother died shortly thereafter. Muchai and his siblings were brought up by relatives. He stayed with his grandmother and sat for his KCPE exam in 1997 at the age of 16.
“My grandmother mistreated me. She did not care about my education. I had to be on my own five years ago. Am a painter, a mason and a Kikoi weaver with 10 years’ experience in Kikoi weaving. I currently stay at Deliverance Church Ngong where I get free shelter, so I am a full time student at this centre,” Muchai told eCentury.

Oketch on the other hand did his KCPE in 2000.His mother died almost in the same year. He is a part time student at Ngong Centre and teaches a nearby nursery school. He supports his sister from the meagre salary he earns as a teacher. Ngong Centre for Open Learning has given Oketch a golden opportunity to pursue his secondary education at his pace.
Alex and his twin brother John are staying with their mother in Ngong Town in a rented house. His elder brother is paying their fees. They are currently full time students. The both did their KCPE in 2003 and there after worked as casual labourers washing cars in Ngong town.
They both plan to go to college after form four. Their dreams are to be better citizens and to bring up successful families.

Alex one of the twins had these to say “This centre offers me a real opportunity. Am not like the teenagers. Am mature, I know why I am here.I am focussed, and determined to excel. I do not have to be in uniform. This centre gives me that freedom.”
The Ngong Centre for Open Learning is unique. The adult class is like that of a university where students are in civilian attire.

According to the Centre’s director, Charles King’ori Murigu, the idea of establishing Ngong Centre of Open Learning was inspired by two reasons. One, a report released by Adult Education Department in 2007 which put illiteracy rate of Kenya at 38.5% inspired and challenged him to create a centre which will fight illiteracy head-on and offer another opportunity to school drop outs.

The second reason was his experience in Namibia as a college lecturer for 12 years.
“I was impressed by Namibian approach to education. For instance I taught full time. This is why adult education has failed throughout the country. Adults are now seeing a new hope through our centre. We have created enabling environment for adult learners. They do not need to be in uniform, yet they study with dignity and respect and are highly motivated ”.

On the challenges of facing the centre he had these, “Most of the adult learners have unresolved issues. Issues of self esteem, turbulent childhood and teenage times. Hence we offer a lot of counselling. The Ngong Catholic Church has seconded a qualified counsellor to us. We also receive support from CMM Brothers of Westlands who also send us counselling psychologists. The Centre networks with other relevant local and international organizations, companies, individuals, notable NGOs, voluntary groups and donor agencies. AEC also collaborates with the Government of Kenya through the Department of Adult Education in order to promote and encourage non-formal education amongst adult and out-of-school youth population.”
The vision of the centre is “To become a leading centre of excellence for Adult and Out-of-School Youth Education and Vocational Training in Kenya”

Its mission is “To eradicate illiteracy and promote life long learning among adults and out-of-school youth to enable them make informed decisions and become self-reliant and improve their livelihoods”.