Students focus on education in sub-Saharan Africa. They learn the data about who is in school and who isn’t, as well as the reasons for the educational crisis. Then students follow the story of a Kenyan boy’s education from beginning to end. They learn about his successes and challenges, as well as the education system around him. Finally, students articulate their own perspective on the value of education for all young people.
Students are introduced to the focus on education in sub-Saharan Africa and consider how education reflects a society’s culture. They view an image of school children in Kenya and read a brief introduction, then respond to a collaborative prompt explaining how they would feel if they were engaged at age five and told that marriage was their only goal in life, connecting this to the value of education and their own future aspirations.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson overview and objective, highlighting that students will examine educational access and challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Facilitate pair or whole-group discussion of students’ responses to the prompt, encouraging them to articulate their perspectives on the value of education and to share topics they are curious to pursue in the future.
Students examine the status of education in Eastern and Southern Africa by reading the UNESCO report School resources and learning environment in Africa and analyzing its graphs and charts. They first write a summary of the overall picture of education across Africa, then select one graph from the report and summarize what it reveals about educational access or quality.
Teacher MovesSupport students in interpreting the report’s data, prompting them to notice patterns such as low enrollment and poor-quality schooling in some countries. Provide feedback on their written summaries, then invite volunteers to present the graph they chose and explain its meaning to the class. Lead a discussion about what students have learned and their reactions, and, if appropriate, direct interested students to explore additional information about children’s issues in specific African countries using the Humanium website from the student pack.
Students shift from regional data to an individual story by watching the video School in Kenya: Joab to follow one Kenyan boy’s educational journey over many years. Using a graphic organizer, they record three notable events in Joab’s education. Drawing on their notes, they then write an explanation of Joab’s educational experience, including the challenges he faces and how he responds to them, and compare his experience with their own schooling.
Teacher MovesIntroduce Joab’s story as a case study that illustrates the broader challenges of education in Southern and Eastern Africa. Decide whether students will watch the entire 9-minute video or selected portions. Guide students in identifying key events and challenges as they complete the organizer, and clarify any cultural or contextual details as needed. After students post their explanations and comparisons, facilitate a class discussion about similarities and differences between Joab’s schooling and their own, and, if time allows, extend the conversation by asking whether they view education as a “need” or a “want.”
Students synthesize what they have learned from the data and from Joab’s story by writing a letter to Joab describing the kind of education they believe all young people should have. In the letter, they use specific examples or facts from the experience, including Joab’s journey and information about educational conditions in Africa, to support their ideas.
Teacher MovesRemind students to draw on both statistical information and Joab’s personal experience as evidence in their letters. After students submit their work, select and share one or more interesting or exemplary letters with the class to prompt discussion about students’ visions for equitable education and the reasons behind their views.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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