10 Things we should teach our Children in Schools and at Home

Kenya’s education system has been blamed for almost everything. It has been blamed for the increased unemployment rate among the youth which now stands at 43.5 percent. It has been blamed for the incompetence among graduates who have only mastered theoretical concepts other than the much-needed practical skills.

Truth is, Kenya’s education system does not teach or prepare the learner on the reality of life. Kids in school are still being taught about Vasco Da Gama and the white missionaries while their colleagues in other nations are taught on the reality.

Here are the 10 things that we should teach our children in schools and at home

1. Gambling/Betting
2. Depression
3. Changing weather patterns
4. Employment opportunities
5. The CRB
6. Integrity
7. Leadership and governance
8. Respect for women/men
9. The Constitution
10. Financial discipline

Gambling/Betting

Kenya is a gambling nation. We cannot run away from that fact. The government estimates that 76 percent of Kenyan youth are involved in betting/gambling.

So far, all the sentiments are that betting is bad and dangerous. It is time that the young people are told, without bias, both the advantages and disadvantages of betting and how to bet responsibly.

Depression

Kenya was ranked the 6^th most depressed nation in Africa and the first in East Africa. Stats show that at least 800 patients are admitted at Mathari Mental Hospital every week. Depression is also among the top killers in Kenya with the youth being among the most affected.

Young people should be taught on better ways to handle stress and depression and how to prevent the same from happening to them.

Changing weather patterns

For the first time in a long time, the long rains have failed across Kenya. Farmers are worried and people are likely to face one of the worst droughts in history. Young people have to be taught about climate change, what leads to climate change and the dangers of climate change.

We should teach the young generation about the new and safe agricultural practices especially the use of irrigation as compared to relying on rainfall for water. We should teach them how to take good care of the environment especially on the planting of trees.

The CRB

The Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) is not a fresh term among thousands of Kenyans. This is an agency/platform that is responsible for blacklisting Kenyans who delay or fail to pay loans taken either digitally or from financial institutions.

Stats show that more than 500,000 young Kenyans are listed on the CRB. Most of them have taken loans from digital platforms (mobile lenders.). Young people should be told on responsible borrowing, the advantages and disadvantages and the reality of being listed on the CRB.

Integrity, Leadership, and Governance

Kenya is in need of integrity, good leadership and governance. The current crop of leaders is corrupt, uncouth and unethical and cannot serve as a good example to the young generation.

We should teach the young generation on corruption, its dangers and if possible, give them real examples on the ground. In the future, we may use corrupt politicians as an example. We should tell them how much Kenya loses annually due to corruption, currently one trillion shillings and what that means to the economy.

Respect for women/men

This is as simple as it is, young people should be taught to respect each other. They should be told that women deserve respect and are not tools of entertainment. Women should be told to respect men and be told that men are not sources of income.

Related Content:

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• 5 Common Depression Triggers amongst Kenyans
• 76% of Kenyan Youth are Gamblers, 500,000 Blacklisted on CRB: A time to worry