The East African Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights) in Kenya has been using the Abidjan Principles in its work with the Ministry of Education, accelerating awareness and knowledge of these Principles as a key tool for championing the right to education.
In 2022, EACHRights and the Ministry of Education jointly carried out research on the implementation of quality education in public primary schools in Kenya. The research findings provide a strong counter-narrative to privatisation in Kenyan education. More recently, EACHRights has collaborated with the Ministry of Education to disseminate the research findings, develop a policy brief and an alternative narrative paper informed by the Abidjan Principles.
Activities to date
Training for government officials and CSOs. EACHRights brought together 15 key Ministry of Education officers as well as representatives from 12 CSOs and provided training on the Abidjan Principles. The CSOs included: the Regional Education Learning Initiative members; Dignitas; Usawa and Federation of African Women in Education.
National validation of research findings. EACHRights held a national validation of the research on the Implementation of Quality Education in Public Primary Schools in Kenya, which was produced jointly by EACHRights and the Ministry of Education. The validation involved 43 Ministry of Education officers and 12 CSOs from the education sector.
Development of a policy brief and positive narrative paper. EACHRights and the Ministry of Education developed a policy brief and a positive narrative paper together to showcase the success of the Kenyan education system under ongoing reforms (Competency Based Curriculum).
The project’s impact so far
Greater awareness of the Abidjan Principles. Many training participants stated that the training had been eye-opening. Training participants appreciated that the Abidjan Principles are easy to understand and clearly explain the responsibilities of duty bearers in the realisation of the right to education for all.
Human rights perspective introduced. It was the first time that many Ministry of Education officers had developed a policy brief with a human rights perspective.
Pledges of support. The Ministry of Education officers at the training, whose work includes assessing schools for registration, pledged to reference the Abidjan Principles in their implementation of education in Kenya.
New type of research. The research report will be the first document in Kenya which examines the implementation of quality education that can be shared with the public. It therefore represents a big step forward in sharing how the government implements public education.
The research report, policy brief and alternative narrative paper will be published online soon. Please subscribe to the Abidjan Principles’ Newsletter to follow this project’s journey and progress on the realisation of the right to education.