Bright English Medium School
Bright English Medium School provides a place for education, play and safety for nearly 600 students.
Taught fully in English
Public schools in this district do not teach in English, however knowledge of the language is essential to be able to move on to higher education. At Bright School every subject is delivered in English — Kiswahili, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Civics and Vocational Skills. Most of our children speak Maasai or Sonju language at home, so they arrive learning a third language.
In pre-school one teacher guides each class; in primary, subject teachers take each grade. Alongside lessons there are subject clubs, debate, cleaning duties, religious studies, sports and games.
Why boarding
Families live scattered across the rangeland, far enough that a daily walk to school is not realistic. But distance is only half the reason.
A girl who sleeps at school is a girl who is not at home when a marriage is being arranged, and who has somewhere to stay during the holidays if she is at risk. The dormitories are a protective measure as much as a functional one.
We receive no government funding. What we do not raise in fees comes solely from donations and sponsorships.
The school in figures
Built one piece at a time
Bright School founded in the founders’ rented house — forty children, three teachers, one wooden classroom.
Land bought to build proper facilities. By 2012, roughly 100 children.
First international volunteer arrives, from the USA.
Two classroom buildings completed — five classrooms and a teachers’ office. Official registration granted.
First Class 7 graduation.
Kitchen built with four German volunteers. Around 200 children.
All children now living on the school premises.
Girls’ dormitory completed.
Boys’ dormitory completed.
