Where school owners go wrong as they strive to protect image

If schools can refuse to admit willing and paying older pupils we have lost the true meaning of education. Photo/FILE 

By Carol Munywoki

In Summary

• Denying or treating an older student differently simply because of their age should be a crime against education itself.

I was invited to a meeting by someone I hold close to my heart. She is going through tough times as she has just lost the premises where she had set up a school.

She was in talks with another school to take in her pupils temporarily as she seeks another premise to continue with the business she is so passionate about.

The meeting was with the directors of the new school a few days after they had made initial contact with my friend.

I knew that top on the agenda will be how to ensure the children from my friend’s school continue with the syllabus; harmonising the lesson plans to accommodate all the children; talking numbers to come up with a mutually, financially, beneficial agreement and encourage a merger for a better and stronger educational entity.

I also thought that the directors would say that the children will be excited to meet new playmates.

None of these was discussed. The directors of the school gave three main reasons for not starting a working relationship with my dear friend.

1. Some of the children from my friend’s school were too old to mingle with their younger pupils.

2. Some parents had raised concerns over their children mixing with “foreign” looking pupils.

3. The school could not integrate the lessons or teaching to accommodate the learning needs of the newcomers.

First, if schools can refuse to admit willing and paying older pupils we have lost the true meaning of education. The importance of education is evident and known to almost all. Denying or treating an older student differently simply because of their age should be a crime against education itself. Equality in Kenya is far from reality.

People have gone through different experiences and are from different backgrounds; some couldn’t afford education, or had to work to provide for their families, others maybe did not live in areas with schools or others might have not seen the importance of education at an early age.

However, when one gets a chance to pursue their dream of getting an education at an older age, this must be serenaded instead of frowned upon.

“The First Grader”, a film based on 84-year-old Kenyan man, the late Kimani Maruge, directed by Justin Chadwick, that netted a profit of about $715,000 (Sh60,737,342) was a success story based on the value and thirst for knowledge. When Kimani was asked why he went back to primary school at that age, he said if he could not read, then he is like a goat.

This story is not only heroic, but gives hope to persons working hard at achieving their dreams. If Kimani would have been denied that education because of his age and despite resistance from the “educators” of the school, he would not have addressed the United Nations Millennium Development Summit in 2005.

Secondly, it is heartbreaking to hear that some parents are concerned that children from other ethnic groups or origin would mix with theirs. If we separate these children at such young ages, how do we expect to have peace in the future? How can we be one?