Traveling to Kenya in 2013 with the Maasai Cultural Exchange Project, Inc (MCEP), we visited a few elementary schools. It was culture shock. In Kenya, paying the price of education comes IF parents have $100 to $150 each year for a child to attend school.
A TYPICAL MAASAI SCHOOL GROUND
Schools in Maasailand and across Kenya exist in structures of cinder block, corrugated metal roofs, and windows sometimes without glass panes, other times with none. The earthen soil is hardened from constant foot traffic or sometimes there is unevenly poured cement. There are wood desks with benches or not enough of them. This means some students will stand while others sit on the floor, lesson books in their lap, each clutching a pencil.
DESKS ARE AT A PREMIUM
During our 2015 journey to Maasailand we toured a newly built school for first year students living in an isolated village. The floor consisted of rocks which hopefully later, would be poured over with cement.
DESKS AND BENCHES ON A ROCK-FILLED EARTHEN FLOOR
In the Central Bucks School District, we are billed annually with a tax which supports public education for our youngest citizens. My children and grandchildren are long gone from the Doylestown schools which they had graduated. How blessed they were to learn in buildings nothing like those I walked through in Kenya.
(Doreen Stratton Photos)
I do not mind paying that school tax. I am helping in the education of America’s future Leaders. We are blessed to enjoy public education in this country.
BUT TROUBLE IS BREWING FOR AMERICA’S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM
In a February 8, 2025, NPR article by Jonaki Mehta, about the nomination of Linda McMahon to head the US Department of Education. Confirmed in early March, McMahon is best known as head of World Wrestling Entertainment. The February article reported:
“McMahon has a limited background in education, along with her career as a business executive.”
The lady of wrestling had served on the Connecticut State Board of Education and during #45’s first term, she had led the US Small Business Administration.
True, we are overwhelmed with challenges confronting us here in the Central Bucks School District. I close with this
Buckle up supporters of public education: We are in for a rocky ride.
The Bucks Underground Railroad 