The First Grader dramatizes the true story of Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge, an octogenarian and former Mau Mau freedom fighter who, in 2003, took seriously the Republic of Kenya’s offer of free primary education and fought to enroll in a local primary school.[1] Despite the school’s over-enrollment and dire lack of resources, teacher Jane (played by Naomie Harris) eventually allows Maruge (Oliver Litondo) to join her class. The absurdity of Maruge’s schoolboy knee-highs is only slightly diminished by the earnestness of his desire to learn how to read, write, and do simple math. Although the real Maruge’s story circulated in international media, The First Grader represents the most significant treatment of his story thus far.