INTRO: Public schools are at the center of nearly every struggle over cultural identity. Governments everywhere use schools to instill common values, to prepare young people to contribute economically, to create citizens. But minority groups often see the schools as machines designed to strip their people of their language, their traditions, their beliefs.

Until recently, that was the prevailing view among the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania. The Maasai are cattle herders who follow their animals on seasonal migrations. When the British ruled East Africa, the Maasai used passive resistance to ensure that their culture remained intact -- refusing to take up agriculture, to settle in towns, or to send their children to school.

Now the Maasai are finding that resistance isn't enough. Agriculture and urbanization have eaten up much of their grazing land. Communications and roads have exposed young Maasai to the temptations of the outside world. Many are now questioning traditional practices such as polygamy, early marriage and female circumcision.

Producer Jon Miller brings us this report from Kenya, where a new generation Maasai is looking to education as a key to survival.

OUTRO: That report was produced by Jon Miller of Homelands Productions. It's part of the Worlds of Difference series on global cultural change. For more information, visit www.homelands.org.