ADEA helps Kenya develop policy on peace education

Kenya’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST) has just finalized and endorsed the very first education sector policy on peace education formulated by an African country. The policy, which is presently in English, will be translated into French and Portuguese and shared with other African countries.

ADEA, which facilitated the establishment of the Inter-Country Quality Node on Peace Education (ICQN-PE), provided technical support to the development of the policy through the participation of Shem Bodo, program manager at ADEA’s Working group on Education Management and Policy Support (WGEMPS). The ICQN’s action plan expects countries participating in the ICQN-PE to develop such peace education policies and programs. 

The process to develop the policy began in 2009 when the Ministry constituted a technical team comprising MOEST, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI), the Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development (KICD), Moi University, UNICEF and UNESCO. The team held two workshops to develop the initial framework and the 1st draft Policy document with the title ‘Education Sector Policy on Peace Education’.

The draft policy was then shared with stakeholders and partners including: the Department of Youth and Sports, the Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education, the Directorate of Higher Education, the Department of National Cohesion, the National Steering Committee in Peace Building and Conflict Management, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, development partners,  NGOs, CSOs, Head Teachers Associations, Teachers Unions, Parent Associations and the senior management in Kenya’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The final draft document, in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010  and the new education legal framework, was developed in 2013.

Key policy provisions include:

  • Integration of conflict sensitive approaches in education and training to foster a culture of peace;
  • Integration of peace education into the education and training curricula;
  • Support of the education and training sector emergency preparedness and response initiatives;
  • Development of a sound institutional framework for peace education;
  • Development of  strong collaboration and partnerships;
  • Information management and communication;
  • Countering violence and extremism.

The final policy document has been validated by stakeholders and endorsed by the senior managers in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology of Kenya.

One of the main challenges encountered in developing the policy was the lack of adequate reference materials, particularly policies on peace education from other countries.

The Government of Kenya appreciates the need to invest in interventions that promote peace and national cohesion as provided for in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 (Article 10) and the Kenya Vision 2030. The goals of education in Kenya emphasize promotion of national unity, sound moral and religious values, individual development and fulfillment, respect and appreciation of diversity. The Peace Education program was launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) with a view to complement the existing efforts for promoting peace in and through education.

For more information, contact Mary Kangethe, Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, kangethe1234@gmail.com