Lupita Nyong’o: A Lesson For Kenyans

We are celebrating Lupita Nyong’o today because her parents did not force her to get A’s then push her into a career she did not love. They allowed her to follow her passion and build

on it by taking her to drama school. One would ask, how many Kenyan parents can allow their children to attend drama school?

Time is now for the Kenyan education system to incorporate talent and allow students to shine in what they are good at. Academic excellence has turned us into cramming robots and the end result is a job market flooded with professionals who cannot find a decent job.

Yes, students do well in primary school but just a fraction is absorbed into secondary school. For those who join secondary school, only a few make it to the university. Unfortunately, graduating from the university does not guarantee anyone a job it is a society of survival for the fittest. Our system needs to have a place for the ‘leftovers’ and not just leaving them to the dogs. No pun intended.

Lupita Nyong’o has taught us that, academic excellence is not the only form of excellence. It is high time that parents allow their children to flourish in what they are good at. 

The Kenyan education system is currently under criticism, especially now that the government is considering the re-introduction of mother tongue in lower primary. For your information Mr. President, “Mother tongue has been in use for more than two decades in rural public schools and their performance is still wanting. It is time to try more reasonable alternatives.”

“We need to find better alternatives to schooling,” Explains Mr. Fredrick Mutooni a Tourism Content Currator specialising on East African Community. He goes ahead to say that, “What you learn in school is not what you find on the ground after graduating.” This is something we can all attest to. Graduates continue to be labelled useless for lack of practical skills which is not their fault.

We have the ability to nurture more Lupitas, Marigas, Rudishas and even Churchills. Someone like Dan Ndambuki aka Churchill is trying to nurture and mentor new talent but that is not enough. He needs backing from the education system for his initiative to bear more fruits. 

Mr. Fredrick Mutooni suggests that, we try and emulate the American education system. Why should we copy the American system? “In the USA, there are technical high schools that teach almost anything you can imagine,” Explains Mr. Fredrick Mutooni. Just imagine getting a chance to pursue your passion as a career.

Apart from the variety in the courses Mr. Fredrick Mutooni says that, “They teach real world problems accompanied by part-time real world experience”. I am sure some of you are already contemplating going to study abroad. If you have the resources consider this as a wake up call, Lupita Nyong’o had the resources and she did not hesitate to follow her dream.

To sum up, Mr. Fredrick Mutooni revealed that, the American system encourages innovation, technology and financial support from stakeholders in the private sectors. This is something that our dear government should borrow a leaf from. Kenya is a country rich in talent; let us do our best to salvage the situation before we lose all the talent.

You can contact Mr. Fredrick Mutooni via www.tourismcontentcurator.com or (953-864-4118)

Here are related articles:

1.Examinations Are Pushing Students Too Far

2.Students Should not be Defined by their Academic Performance