Greenlight Refugee Secondary School

Greenlight Secondary School is one of the 5 secondary schools in the refugee camp. It is about 15 minutes away from my home. Since UNHCR could not meet all fundings required to maintain the school, due to the increase of global refugees; students are required to pay Ksh. 3 000 which is around $30 per year. This amount is too much for refugee students and is one of the reasons for high drop-outs in the refugee camp. In 2015, thousands of students protested. 

This came after World Refugee Crises in the middle east, which led to an abrupt reduction in services provided in the refugee camp. Educational services, which is highly valued for its connection with personal development and long term self-reliance was one of the sectors seriously affected.

However, ksh 3000 a year is not still enough to maintain the school facilities such as the library, laboratory and payment of teachers to mention a few; therefore, there are individual and organisational donors such as Windle Trust, UNICEF and UNHCR.

To ensure all students get an education, UNHCR initiated a program called two-schools in one. This means that each secondary school in the camp will have school A and and
School B. School A starts at 12:40 noon and ends at 5:30 p.m. while school B starts 6:40 in the morning and ends at noon. This program is initiated to address a high student-teacher ratio. For example, according to K24 Hope School alone has 7000 registered students with only 36 teachers. This challenge is reflected in refugee students performance in college entrance examinations. Although 80% of kenyan students normally get below average grade, most grade E performers in the country are from camps. It is sad, especially when sometimes grade could mean change in life for the refugees.

Therefore, when I went to Greenlight Secondary School to apply for teacher position I was hailed as a God-sent( even though I just finished High School). This is because of the acute teacher shortages. Moreover, the employer did not expect I would volunteer and so I could see his broad smile in disbelief. I have been tasked to teach School A. Students. To my surprise, students were very humble, respectful and thankful to get their first lesson after a month of no teacher of some subjects such as IRE, Biology and Chemistry. Little did the school know that it is also my pleasure to give back to my community. And this is my way of thanking Allah for getting sponsored. Seeing them learn Humanity, Mathematics and Science make me happy because I want them transformed. There is nothing more pleasurable than seeing bright, sharp and inquisitive students who appreciate whatever they learn.

This is the ICT room. 

My hope is that Refugee children will get more educational services because, after all, all children deserve an education. It is important to note that schools provide more than education; it is where talents are natured and children get protected from exploitation.