Yuki writes:

1. Introduction
To tell the truth, I had not known Djibouti, which is a country in Africa until I talked with a woman, who was from Djibouti in the class. In general, although I think that it is true of many Japanese people that they are placing much emphasis on Western countries (e.g. education, mass-communications, lifestyle) and are neglecting the right understanding about developing countries. I am ashamed to say that actually I am one of them. I have not thought much about African education and I have only had a vague image of that. Therefore today's class was the best opportunity to come to turn my eyes to Africa. What's more, I was very glad to talk with African people for the first time in my life.
2. Education in Kenya
First, I could talk with a Kenyan person, who is a government officer and in charge of a college in Kenya. On the whole, the African education system is not developed enough because of the population explosion and the decline of economic development. Education in Kenya consists of the primary education for 8 years, secondary education for 4 years and higher education for 4 years. Since the primary education is compulsory education, most of the children can accept it. However, only about half of them can graduate of all the children who go to school for 8 years. Furthermore, the number of children who go to the secondary education that is not compulsory education is only half of those.
The importance of science and mathematics education is being emphasized in order to advance the industrialization in Kenya. For that reason, his college only has faculties of mechanical engineering, electronics and information technology. But the equipment of the school is not good and the teaching materials are insufficient. Most of the students work after graduating from high school owing to poverty, so the students who can go to the college are limited.
He said that he had visited Nara, Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo and met many Japanese university students but they could hardly react to what he said. He praised that the students of this school could speak English very well. I was surprised and glad to hear that.
3. About teachers in Djibouti
Second, I could talk with a Djiboutian person, who is a teacher of French in Djibouti. French is the official language of Djibouti and the curriculum is totally the same as France because Djibouti used to be a colony of France. Djibouti is a very new country, so the living standard is very low. That's why many students go to France to study at university and don't come back.
The number of teachers is not enough, so the teachers from Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, France and even from America come to teach in Djibouti. In Djibouti, those who would like to be a teacher can start teaching at 20 years old. They teach for 2 years and go back to a college to study 2 more years. After graduation, you have to take two kinds of examination to become a teacher. One is a paper test and the other is an oral test. But there is the problem that you have to fly to France to take this examination, so it costs too much.
4. In conclusion
I have found that the African educational situation is still under unsatisfactory conditions, although it is getting better in comparison with before. The most impressive thing was that the students who could accept the secondary or higher education are quite a few. That's why, I think it is important that Japan must keep supporting African countries to improve the ability of most of the people in Africa. For that reason, every person must have more interest and support Japanese organizations by raising money, for example. This is also going to lead to the development of the economy in Africa.