Blog #10 Girls need female teachers

Kathryn Summers

SOS 202-01

Dr. Sills

April 3, 2011

11:02pm

Kenyan girls need female teachers

This article begins by sharing Linet’s success story. Linet is a woman from Kenya that is a champion runner. Though some think this may be due to her having to run to school, she tells us that it was her teachers’ encouragement that got her where she is today. Like many developing countries, Kenyan children are not all enrolled in primary school. In keeping with other nations, girls are less likely to be allowed by their parents to attend school than their male peers. This problem increases after primary school. Many fewer girls are enrolled in secondary school than boys. This is partially a result of “social and family pressures on girls, compounded with traditional issues such as early forced marriage and female genital mutilation.” Okadie, a head teacher in a local school has a positive attitude toward girls’ education. He encourages families to let their daughters go to school. In addition to working with parents, he also encourages the girls themselves. He wants education (particularly education of girls) to “raise aspirations of all pupils”, and “to change the way in which they see their future and place in society.” Linet and Okadie agree with many, that in order for girls to succeed, they need good female role models, such as female teachers. There is a lacking of teacher training in many developing countries, but Kenya has a low 39% average of female teachers.

This article talks about two global social problems: girls unequal enrollment in school, and the need for female teachers as role models. Many countries are still struggling with enrollment of girls in school. This problem is even more pronounced in secondary school. These developing countries will have difficulty if their girls are not educated. Girls make more money for their families in the long run if they are educated. Girls are also more able to be advocates for their rights and the morals of their society if they receive an education. Okadie wants the girls in his country to be able to improve their lives through changing society’s views; this can only be done if they are given the education and guidance they need. Guidance for girls needs to be given by a female role model. Girls often need female teachers for religious reasons, but they also need them for their own wellbeing. Though education of girls is improving, there still needs to be more change.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12524097