Going back to school?

Mzee Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge went down in the history books as the oldest primary school pupil of all time. He went back to school at the age of 84 so he could learn how to read and write. Mrs Mariana Ong’ango Ololo joined class one aged 78 years in 2013. She is the 87th registered pupil in her class. She joined school because of her interest in politics. She recently said that, “Uhuru Kenyatta is not an old man, but took over as fourth President because he has got an education. That is a clear indicator that a person cannot rank highly in society without an education.”

What does this teach us? That people never stop learning. Age and social class is not a deterrent. Whether you are doing a course, in work, or volunteering, you are increasing your skills and your confidence. The more skills you have, the better your chances of finding the right job and getting more out of life.

You may have left school without qualifications and have worries about your maths and English. You might think your IT skills need some updating. Getting more confident about the basics is a great way to start improving your skills. There are many courses to choose from, in colleges, learning centres and libraries. Another good way to begin is through a leisure course, in a subject you enjoy, such as photography, cookery or crafts.

There are many opportunities for gaining a qualification at different levels. Some are work-based, others concentrate on a particular subject. Levels range from basic qualifications to university degrees and diplomas. You need to think about where you would like to go in your career and what qualifications you need to get there.

It's one thing to fantasize about an advanced degree or qualification. It's another to go out and get a job using that degree.

Only go back to school if you've carefully thought through your affinities, your desires and your goals.

Next step: the practicalities. How are you going to pay for school? If you attend part-time while working, how will you manage the class load and study time on top of your current job? What are the compensation prospects once you have that degree? Will you necessarily do better than you do now?

Whether you’re a young adult who entered the job market early or a parent who is sending their own children off to college, it’s never too late to start thinking about your continuing education.  And while college may seem intimidating (especially if you’ve been out for awhile) there are many reasons why you owe it to yourself to return to school and get the degree you’ve always wanted (but never thought you could have).

Whatever your reason to go back to school is or whatever course you want to pursue,studyinkenya.co.ke is there to make the process of getting a course of study faster and more convenient.

 

Education for all.