Kenya Quaker Secondary School Peace Curriculum Pilot Project: Examining the Role of the Principal in the Successes and Challenges of the Implementation

This qualitative study examined the implementation of a peace curriculum for Kenyan Quaker secondary schools. Fourteen schools were selected for this study 1 year after school leaders attended specific training sessions. On site visits were made to 12 of the 14 schools selected for this study, and interviews conducted with the remaining principals. Schools were ranked on their level of implementation at low, medium, or high. Results indicated that 12 of the 14 schools implemented the curriculum at a medium or high level. Additional findings note the leadership of the principal was key in the overall peace curriculum implementation and addresses successes and challenges of implementing a new initiative in these schools. The development of the Curriculum for Peace and Conflict Management for the Quaker secondary schools in Kenya was a response to the effects of the 2007–2008 post-election violence. In the aftermath of the violence, more than 1,000 were killed and thousands of others displaced from their homes. Many people experienced neighbors turning violent on neighbors, even though living side by side for many years. The Quakers, also known as Friends, have been historically known for promoting peace and conflict resolution around the world. However, once the violence settled and order was restored within the country, these Kenyan Quakers realized they were ill-equipped to address the impact of the violence and create a culture of peace within their schools and communities. The first edition of the Curriculum for Peace and Conflict Management was a collaborative effort between George Fox University, a Quaker institution in the United States, and the Kenyan Quaker secondary schools leadership group. Completed in 2011, this curriculum for ninth and tenth graders contains 43 lessons comprised of eight major themes addressing specific Kenyan cultural needs involving peace in society. Those themes are: 1) Who am I? 2) Peace; 3) Virtues that promote peace; 4) Conflict and conflict management; 5) Life skills; 6) Human rights and responsibilities; 7) Peace and health; and 8) Peace and the environment. The primary concepts of the curriculum begin with the theme of Who Am I?, then develop into the themes of valuing one another; diversity as a strength; and the uniqueness and contributions of each individual to school and society. All together, the first edition consists of a Teachers’ Guide, Resource Guide, and Syllabus. An article describing the development of this project was first published in the 2012 Journal of Research on Christian Education, Volume 21, Issue 1

Musembe School: How One School and Surrounding Community was Transformed

The story of Eloise and John\u27s work in the Muliro Village area of rural Kenya perhaps best represents all of the tenets of cultural humility in play at the same time. Eloise and John had the unique opportunity to enter into a project that had not been on their radar, nor one they had envisioned or planned for. However, God had specific plansfor one small primary school known as Musembe, and the surrounding community of Muliro Village

When Women Faculty Write: The Power of Community in Scholarship

With the variety of teaching and leading roles placed on faculty members within higher education institutions, finding time to engage in scholarship can be very challenging and often problematic. One way to support scholarship requirements, is finding like-minded colleagues who can provide encouragement and assistance in such efforts. This article describes the formation of a women’s faculty writing group at one Christian higher education institution, and how the support from within that group, helped to facilitate and increase each member’s scholarship agenda and productivity

Developing a Peace and Conflict Resolution Curriculum for Quaker Secondary Schools in Kenya

In 2008–2009, a team of educators from George Fox University, in collaboration with a committee of teachers and administrators from selected Quaker secondary schools in western Kenya, developed the first draft of a peace and conflict resolution curriculum for Kenyan form one (ninth grade) students. This case study offers a model for developing a peace curriculum relevant to the identified needs of form one students in Kenya, supported by adult learning strategies for teacher training. In addition, the development of this curriculum project serves as an example of effective collaborative cross-cultural partnerships. The outcomes of this project offer specific insights gained from this collaborative effort

Improving Educational Attainment for Girls: A Case Study of One Rural Kenyan School

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine one rural Kenyan community’s attempts to improve the educational attainment for primary school girls in the region. Data were gathered through field notes; school artifacts; and interviews with teachers, community members, and grade eight girls. The asset-building theory of change (social, human, physical, and economic) was used to analyze the barriers to education, solutions to those barriers, and results from those solutions. Although some research studies of school improvements in Kenya exist, this research addresses a critical gap in understanding how even small improvements in a school can positively impact educational progress for girls in a rural community. While the improvements at this school are still ongoing, the initial results from this pilot study demonstrate the importance of addressing basic needs for girls that can further prepare them for a better future within their own cultural context. Three main findings emerged from the qualitative data: 1) addressing school infrastructure, 2) sanitary supplies with mentoring, and 3) family and community support for the school

A Curriculum for Peace and Conflict Management: Teachers\u27 Guide

This peace curriculum is currently being used by several Quaker secondary schools in Kenya. It promotes peace and effective conflict management. This guide was made in part through collaboration between Friends Secondary Schools, Kenya; Friends United Meeting, Africa; and George Fox University. This resource has three parts: the syllabus and a resource guide, linked below under additional files, and the teacher\u27s guide at the download link to the left

Teaching and Learning in Kenya: Examining the Shifts in Cultural Learning of Experienced Educators

This qualitative case study examined the cultural learning insights of four educators during and after an immersion experience in Kenya. During this experience the participants delivered professional development sessions to teachers in two rural Kenyan schools, and stayed with Kenyan families. Mezirow’s transformational learning theory, self-reflection, and cultural humility were utilized as a framework to examine the educators’ learning experiences. Data were collected through pre-trip planning sessions, journals, debriefing sessions, field notes, and a 6-month follow-up interview. Results of the data produced five main themes: (1) general observations; (2) recognizing biases and assumptions; (3) cultural insights; (4) cultural humility; and (5) spiritual insights. Even though these participants had prior interactions with different cultures, this trip expanded their experiences and provided them with further understanding of how to interact with different cultures abroad, and within their professional contexts. While cultural aspects tend to be emphasized in undergraduate programs, these experienced educators benefitted from this cultural immersion experience, which could be used to make a case for continuing the same emphasis in graduate programs