National Exams

3 days, 5 subjects, 1 future.

Tim with students from the Lutheran
Non- Formal School

Students in eighth grade end their last term in primary school education taking a national exam which will determine if and which secondary school they attend. Unlike the US, students are not required to go to high school. The Kenyan government guarantees free primary education (grades 1-8) to all children. Of course there are still school fees for each child and other costs that keep many kids out of school. So often students will not even make it through 8th grade.

Tim addressing parents and students
during exam prayer day activities

Needless to say, the national exam is a big deal. The 5 subjects the exam consists of are English (grammar and composition) Kiswahili (grammar and composition) Math, Science, and Social Studies (includes religious education). Each subject is worth 100 points, and outside of composition, all questions are multiple choice. If a student is able to score near 400 they will be admitted a national secondary school. These schools are typically boarding schools and have a high reputation. Scores in the 300s will earn a spot at provincial schools, and for receiving around 250 marks, students will go to a district school.

This past Friday, the school held an exam prayer day. Because all schools in Kenya provide religious education, Christian or Muslim, depending on the school sponsor, these prayer days are commonplace. Parents were invited to attend. In typical Kenyan fashion, the ceremony was to begin at 10:00am. They start time was pushed back to 10:30am, and we finally had the opening prayer at 11:23am. Top students were honored and received a soda for their accomplishments. Students performed songs and parents were allowed to speak words of encouragement. Then the teachers gave speaches. Even Megan, who was invited to attend was asked to speak.

Following these activities was a brief worship service in the church.  The students were called up to the altar to receive a blessing from the Pastor and Tim was put on the spot to say a prayer.

The exam begins this coming Tuesday. Keep the students in your prayers, that God may give them peace and comfort and bless their futures.