Trauma in schools is real and has been worsened by the pandemic. This has not spared Kenyan schools. There is need to create mental health awareness by introducing Trauma Informed practices and create trauma sensitive schools.
Teachers in Kenya have experienced burn out, fatigue and attrition well known as compassion fatigue or secondary trauma.
Kenya education has lots of challenges; in 2013 the presidential aspirant then Mwai Kibaki promised free primary school education. After he became president, he made true his promise. This led to very high learner enrollment in primary public schools as unexpected. In a bid to counter, the education ministry decided to privatize education where individual teachers were encouraged to open schools, from ECDE centres to high school.
Private schools mushroomed allover the country creating upbets. An upbet is kind of a private school that does not meet all the qualifications. Many of them lack school amenities like play ground, libraries, common room, washing areas, good construction materials especially those that exist in the slum areas are made up of make shifts materials like old iron sheets and wood. Most of upbets ate low cost private schools where a parent can pay $3-5 a month or less.
Teachers college in Kenya also produce higher number of graduates than job availability. Only the government employ teachers on a permanent bases in Kenya, through Ministry of education and its not a guarantee to get a government job after graduation. Many teachers are absorbed by the upbets as they await.
During the pandemic most of upbet schools closed down and those that survived were not able to sustain teacher's salaries. Teachers went without income for a long time.
Kenya is a developing country and most families live below $ daily. Business closed, jobs were lost meaning even them suffered. Having this in mind, there is therefore evidence that trauma from homes have really affected the schools and there is greater need for mental health awareness. A school is a community of teachers, parents and learners.
I am an Educational Psychologist, Emotional Intelligence coach and currently studying for certification in Trauma Informed Specialist at Centre for Cognitive Diversity; under California State University. This means am well versed with childhood trauma and learning.
Trauma Informed schools Kenya intend to:
1. Train Trainers who have school counselling psychology background on trauma informed practices for schools whereby they will be sent to schools help create trauma sensitive schools. This will be for teachers and parents.
2. Train teachers the science of ACEs; let them understand childhood trauma so as to change discipline approach in schools. Currently Kenyan schools upholds corporal punishment and that what they advocate for. There will be lessons about Restorative Justice and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategy and insist on its importance)
3. Create an APP where teachers and parents can learn about the importance of mental health in schools.
4. Train schools about teachers wellness Centre and Wellness Tool so as to manage their mental health. This will also help in improving overall discipline in school and quality of education.
This being a start up, we are looking for donors, especially financially.
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Thank you for you assistance!
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