Lead Now Pilot
Uthiru School, Kenya
Before the LEAD NOW began a staff member described the general culture at the school as, ‘Everyone man for himself’, a short hand comment for ‘you’re on your own’. Children spoke of communication between staff and children as minimal and they reported feeling fearful of speaking to their teachers about homework or their concerns, as it might result in them being ‘scolded’. The children themselves were often left in unattended classroom (teacher not there), for hours at a time and this resulted in chaotic and undisciplined behavior, which resulted unhappy scenes and punishments for pupils
Attendance at school was poor with 65% of children skipping school for at least one day in a 2 week period and children regularly disappearing at lunchtime in search of food and then not returning for the afternoon session.