Contributions of Africa Inland Mission to the development of Western Education in terms of Curriculum in Kericho District Kenya, 1919 to 1963

The purpose of the study was to assess the contributions of the Africa Inland Mission (AIM) to the development of Western education in Kericho District, Kenya, from 1919 to 1963. When AIM arrived in the interior part of Kenya, they built mission stations and schools where African converts were taught Western education. They arrived in the Kericho District and established schools in 1919. The study used historical research design. The study's target population were all retired teachers, community elders and retired education officers. The study used purposive and snowballing techniques of sampling. Primary data was collected using Interview schedules, while secondary and archival data was collected using documentary analysis. The study established that AIM in their curriculum taught subjects which attracted many students to attend their schools. Ex-students of carpentry and brickmaking worked together with AIM Missionaries by constructing enough classes in all AIM schools. The availability of constructed classes made Western education to be well in AIM schools. AIM Missionaries taught curriculum which produced trained labour. Carpenters, teachers, tailors, agricultural farmers and officers employed by the colonial government majority were ex-students of AIM. The findings further indicated that AIM Missionaries developed a curriculum in the Kericho District which taught various subjects, which led to the acquisition of industrial and technical skills. AIM provided industrial and technical education skills, which prepared Kericho District residents for self-reliance. The government should also promote vocational training that prepares students to be self-employed. Through this, the problem of unemployment will be reduced.