SEKU Students’ Real-Life Learning in Kyavonda Brings New Lessons for Sustainable Education
Between 2023 and 2025, students from South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) took part in a transformative learning program at the Real Life Learning Lab (RLLL) in Kyavonda, Kitui County. The initiative brought together students studying Operations Management, Nutritional Anthropology, and Climate Change and Adaptation to engage directly with local communities, blending academic theory with real-world practice.
The immersive field experience allowed students to explore indigenous food systems, agroforestry, and climate-resilient livelihood strategies within a semi-arid ecosystem. Through participatory analysis and collaboration with Kyavonda residents, students not only learned sustainable food production techniques but also contributed innovations—such as a cost-effective solution for pest control that proved valuable to the host community.
Assessments by SEKU’s Education Department and School of Business and Economics confirmed that integrating real-life exposure into coursework significantly enhanced students’ comprehension and critical thinking. Students demonstrated improved confidence, problem-solving abilities, and appreciation for practical applications of classroom concepts.
However, challenges such as language barriers, logistical hurdles, and harsh environmental conditions underscored the need for better planning, local collaboration, and adaptability. To address these, SEKU recommends enhanced communication training, pre-field logistical coordination, use of digital tools, and increased emphasis on sustainability principles in the curriculum.
Looking ahead, SEKU plans to strengthen post-training support for both students and the RLLL community through mentorship, enterprise development assistance, and continuous evaluation. The Kyavonda experience has become a model for experiential learning in higher education—showing that when theory meets practice, students and communities alike grow stronger, more innovative, and better equipped for a sustainable future.
