Self Introduction:-

Lily is a Librarian/Communicator and has been in the Book trade since 1978.

All her working life has been associated with books and reading.

Lily firmly believes in the power of the love of reading and empowerment through reading books and digitized resources.

The Role Of The School Library In The Implementation Of The Universal Primary Education (UPE) And Education Access In Kenya.

Bookshop Manager Moi University P.O Box 3900, ELDORET-30100   Mobile: 0706 569707 / 0733 712117   Email: Lmnyariki@gmail.com / Lnyariki@yahoo.com

  Website: Www.lilynyariki.com

INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Education in KenyaIts Vision is: - “To have a globally competitive quality education, training and research for Kenya’s sustainable development.

Its Mission: - "To provide, promote and co-ordinate lifelong education, training and research for Kenya's sustainable development. To focus on priority areas within overall education goals, notably towards attaining 'Universal Primary Education' by 2005 within the context of the wider objective of 'Education for All (EFA) by 2015.”

BACKGROUND

EFA goals seek to ensure that each individual is able to read and write and thereby guarantee some dignity and freedom and enable community participation which will enhance democracy.

BACKGROUND

National Goals of Education in Kenya are to:-

Foster national unity Meet the needs and targets of national development

Provide individual development and self fulfillment

Promote social equity and equality Foster and develop respect for, and the development of our cultural heritage

Foster international consciousness.

BACKGROUND

Information is the ingredient that has been forgotten in various discussions centering on quality education. In most forums there is talk about mean grades, teachers students ratio, no. of classrooms, desks, writing materials, like pens & blackboards, chalk and exercise books, laboratories, but rarely do we hear or talk about the provision of School Libraries (book collections) as a basic requirement in teaching and learning within public schools in Kenya.

THE NEED FOR LIBRARIES

This paper will argue that School Libraries directly affect educational outcomes. There is always hue and cry every time exam results are made public and it is revealed that students either at Class Eight or Form Four cannot adequately express themselves.

Have you ever wondered why?

THE NEED FOR LIBRARIES

School Library Guidelines produced by UNESCO/IFLA, state:-

  ” The school library provides information and ideas that are fundamental to functioning successfully in our increasingly information and knowledge based present day society. The school library equips students with lifelong learning skills and develops their imagination, thereby enabling them to live as responsible citizens.”

 

THE NEED FOR LIBRARIES

An American Research Foundation Paper by Scholastic Library Publishing titled: School Libraries Work! (2008) States:-

“The school library has long been regarded as the cornerstone of the school community – a learning hub integral to teaching and learning.”

THE NEED FOR LIBRARIES

The same paper further argues: -

“A substantial body of research since 1990 clearly demonstrates the importance of school libraries to student’s education and research shows that a well stocked library staffed by a qualified librarian has a positive impact on student achievement, regardless of the socio-economic or educational levels of the community.”

THE NEED FOR LIBRARIES

Simply put:-

A library is a collection. The collection may be a single shelf, in a cupboard, a room, a whole building or even a van.

This collection will be made up of information resources which include printed resources like books, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures and newspapers;

Audio visual resources like CDs, DVDs, slides and pictures, films, videos, eBooks and other digitized materials.

SO WHAT IS A LIBRARY?

A position statement by the International Reading Association (IRA) in 1999 says: -

  “Libraries must purchase a sufficient number of new books per student and they must make a concerted effort to replace older materials for each classroom and school library on an annual basis”

 

SO WHAT IS A LIBRARY?

A School Library may be regarded as a department, unit or section within the school charged with the responsibility of providing information resources for educational inspiration, acquisition of literacy skills, general knowledge and mental recreation.

They are a learning hub with full range of print and electronic/digitized resources that support student academic achievement. The School Library is a gathering place for people of all ages and interests to explore and debate ideas.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL LIBRARY?

Teachers need to keep up to date with changes and developments in their fields of knowledge. It is crucial that they have a continuous source of current information, thus a library is a teaching aid and an ally to the teacher.

Learners benefit from the School Library by supplementing and complementing the teaching and class work, because it is not always that the teacher thoroughly covers a topic or subject.

FUNCTIONS OF A SCHOOL LIBRARY

The library can provide information to bridge the knowledge that was not made available by the teacher in a class.

In addition, learners can have the opportunity to widen their scope in knowledge by learning much more than is provided for in the curriculum. In this way, the learner achieves personal improvement.

FUNCTIONS OF A SCHOOL LIBRARY

Libraries provide a quiet atmosphere for individual study, particularly if they offer comfortable facilities such as good lighting, ventilation, appropriate tables and chairs and suitable seating arrangements.

Libraries provide facilities that can enhance reading and information seeking as a habit.

If instilled early, this becomes a tool for continuing education and lifelong learning.

FUNCTIONS OF A SCHOOL LIBRARY

The PlaceThe program

THE VALUE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

StudentAcademic

achievement

The Program Librarians collaborate with teachers to teach and integrate literature and information skills into the curriculum

The Librarian will partner with teachers on projects that help students use a variety of resources, conduct research and present findings.

The Librarian is supported financially by the school community to achieve the mission of the school.

THE VALUE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

The Professional Librarians teach skills and strategies to students which they need to learn and achieve

Librarians are partners in educating students, developing curricula and integrating resources into teaching and learning.

Librarians teach the skills students need to become effective users of ideas and information

Librarians seek, select, evaluate and utilize electronic resources and tools and instruct teachers and students in how to use them.

THE VALUE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

The Place All students can strive for and achieve success

Quality collections are provided, in print and online. These support the curriculum and address a variety of learning needs.

Students develop a love of reading and literature.

Students can work individually or in small groups on research and collaborative projects.

THE VALUE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

In 2001, UNESCO declared that:- 

“As the decade came to a close, school libraries (in Sub Saharan Africa) were said to have the lowest of priorities in educational spending. Majority of schools possessed no library and where a semblance of a school library did exist, it was often no more than a few shelves of outdated and worn out material, inadequately staffed. “

STATE OF AFFAIRS IN KENYA/EA

Finances and budgeting Accommodation Resources Organization Staffing Library use Promotion

Requirements of managing a functional school library

According to the IFLA/UNESCO School Library Guidelines - the School Library should be managed within a clearly structured policy framework. The Library Policy should be devised bearing in mind the overarching policies and needs of the school and should be reflect its mission, aims and objectives bearing in mind the prevailing reality.

POLICY GUIDELINES

The document and subsequent plans will specify the role of the library in relation to the following aspects:

The school curriculum Learning methods in the school Satisfying national and local standards and criteria

Students’ learning and personal development needs

Staffs’ teaching needs Raising levels of achievements Range, selection and acquisition of materials

POLICY GUIDELINES

The Librarian should stimulate interest in reading and organize reading promotion programs, in order to develop the appreciation of literature as well as activities addressed to encourage reading that involves cultural as well as learning aspects.

As students interact more and more with school libraries, and begin to get interested in social issues, Librarians and Teachers can use this opportunity to help students begin to grapple with these issues and to have debates with other citizens about the nature of common good and how to achieve it.

Cultural/Democratic Functions of the School Library

From the above discussion it is clear that School Libraries are a prerequisite for academic achievement and democratic enlightenment among Kenyan children.

One wonders why this critical service that will go a long way into improving learning outcomes is not being given a chance. It is sad that in Kenya, statistics are not even available to indicate the current status of School Libraries, as opposed to developed nations like the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and many others where debate on school libraries and the need to support them is alive and receiving support from their governments.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

The Kenya Government through the Ministry of Education organizes a forum that will bring together the ministry officials, parents, teachers, librarians and ICT personnel to brainstorm on the need for School libraries at both primary and secondary school levels. Such a forum will dwell on policy formulation, funding for purchase and management of the collection, as well as recruitment of Librarians

  The Kenya Association of Librarians and Information Professionals (KLA) should be a partner with Ministry of Education and relevant organizations for example Kenya Parents Association and others, to dialogue and collaborate with the Government of Kenya on this important but forgotten entity and work towards implementing the School Library Policy in pursuant of quality education for all Kenyans. As a lobby group, KLA ought to advocate for support for establishment of School Libraries as a matter of priority.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

The Government of Kenya through its relevant Ministries: Education, culture, ICT come together with Authors, Publishers, Booksellers, Librarians, archivists, Teachers/Users and possibly Development Partners to formulate a National Book Policy. This will ensure that all aspects of information creation, production, distribution, dissemination, use and archiving are thoroughly discussed and a plan of action put in place on how to regularize the above aspects for well read and knowledgeable society.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS