Transcript: A Look at a Kenyan Classroom

NARRATOR: Joab’s class has 74 students - and one teacher.

MARY MACHARIA, JOAB’S TEACHER: Teaching 70 children how to read is not easy…and some of them have never even entered a classroom…

MARY MACHARIA, JOAB’S TEACHER: They did not have the basic foundation of education. They had not gone even to a nursery school, so it was hard to start with the letters…with the alphabet.

NARRATOR: To cope with the multiple challenges, Mary’s first grade classroom has been specially outfitted. The students sit on mats not only because the school can’t afford desks - but more children fit in the room that way. Most of the teaching aids are made by the teachers themselves, right down to the paint for the blackboards and everything is geared to keeping the children engaged in their own learning.

STUDENTS: One, two, three, four, five

MARY MACHARIA: How many are they?

STUDENTS: Five

MARY MACHARIA: How many?

STUDENTS: Five

MARY MACHARIA: There are five. Who can choose number five?

STUDENTS: Teacher, teacher…

MARY MACHARIA: The number three…

MARY MACHARIA: Joab is a bright boy, very enthusiastic and ready to learn.

MARY MACHARIA: The number first. Correct?

STUDENTS: Yes.

MARY MACHARIA: The number three. Correct?

STUDENTS: Yes.

MARY MACHARIA: Why don’t you roll for him? Roll, roll, faster, faster, come on, and clap.