By Ogova Ondego
Published July 11, 2013
A book that calls for orature to be integrated in the school curriculum in Kenya has been launched.
The book, that is titled Incorporating Oral Culture in Education for Development: A Model for Kenya, considers the role and potential of cultures and education in development in general and suggests how to capitalise on the strengths and resources of Kenyan oral cultures in the development of the country.
The authors of the first section of the book that looks at ‘The Role of Orality and Social Media in Education’ are Tom Odhiambo (Using Education for National Development in Kenya: Some Preliminary Thoughts) and Charles Muiru Ngugi (Orality, Social Media, Education and Youth: Towards an Integrative Model for Social Change) of University of Nairobi, performance artist Salome Mshai Mwangola (National Liberation as an Act of Culture) and Seneiya Kamotho (Orature Transforms Individuals for Development).
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Tackling ‘The Role of Radio and Film in Education for Development’ in the second section of the publication are Bill Odidi (The Transformation of Media, Technology and Communication) and Jared Ombui (The Role of Radio in Influencing Culture and Development) of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Ogova Ondego (Mass Media Literacy: Equipping Children and Youth with Skills to Appreciate, as well as Promote and Produce Cultural Content) of Lola Kenya Screen audiovisual media festival, skill-development programme and marketing platform for children and youth in eastern Africa.
Section Three, that deals with ‘The Role of Theatre and Music in Education for Development’, is tackled by John Mugubi (Physiopsychosocial Dynamics and Accruing Benefits of Theatre Arts) of Kenyatta University and musician Benjamin Webi (Music in Education for Development).
Section Four, that is based on group work, shows how the recommendations proposed by the experts could be implemented. While Group One group of experts handled television, film, and digital/social media, Groups Two and Three dealt with Theatre and Music, and Radio and Literature, respectively. Besides the specific recommendations made by the task forces in the four groups, this section also carries a summary titled ‘Oral Culture and the Knowledge Society: Recommendations for the Kenyan Education Sector.’
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Field Study Reports on Culture Initiatives, Kenya Vision 2030 and the ICT Sector that form the fifth section of the publication, are handled by Eliphas Nyamogo (Malindi District Cultural Association), Muthoni Kaminjuki (Kenya Vision 2030 and the ICT Sector), and Daniel Ochieng Orwenjo (Youth Accosted with Arts (YAWA) Dancers) and (Betta Theatrix Productions).
Goethe-Institut, in partnership with the GIZ and the DAAD launched the Alumni Denkfabrik (Think Tank) for Culture, Education and Development in 12 countries worldwide in 2012 as a forum through which to discuss new approaches to development cooperation. The Kenyan Chapter dwelt extensively on the role of culture in education and the need to integrate Kenya’s oral-based cultures in the Knowledge Society for sustainable development. Participants and contributors in the Kenyan project are alumni who have studied or done research in Germany or participated in joint projects or exchange programmes with German institutions.
Incorporating Oral Culture in Education for Development: A Model for Kenya, is a product of a workshop on Culture and Education organised by Goethe-Institut and GIZ and coordinated by an Alumni Think Tank.
The launch, at Goethe-Institut, was presided over by Prof Jacob Kaimenyi, Kenya’s Education Minister, and Dr Lydia Nzomo, Director of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, in Nairobi on July 18, at 6.00PM.
