160 likes | 283 Views
@dev_progress. BEYOND BASICS The growth of post-primary education in Kenya. Okwach Abagi Director, OWN & Associates, Kenya. developmentprogress.org. @dev_progress. Outline Kenya context The growth of post-primary education in Kenya Factors enabled enrollment improvements
E N D
BEYOND BASICS The growth of post-primary education in Kenya OkwachAbagi Director, OWN & Associates, Kenya developmentprogress.org @dev_progress
Outline Kenya context The growth of post-primary education in Kenya Factors enabled enrollment improvements Challenges ahead Lessons learnt developmentprogress.org @dev_progress
Kenya Context developmentprogress.org @dev_progress • Kenya, an East African country: Development, Business, ICT and Education Hub • Three enemies at Independence in 1963: • Poverty • Ignorance • Disease
Kenya experienced a significant rise in school life expectancy – from 8.4 years in 2000 to 11 years in 2009 School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years) Source: UNESCO developmentprogress.org @dev_progress
The secondary enrolment rates increased by 50% in 10 years –from 40% in early 2000s up to 60% in 2009 Gross enrolment ratio, secondary Source: UNESCO developmentprogress.org @dev_progress
Access to higher education has increased, though still well below the sub-Saharan Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary Source: UNESCO developmentprogress.org @dev_progress
Increase in gender parity in enrolment rates since the 1970s with more recent setbacks Gender parity index Source: UNESCO developmentprogress.org @dev_progress
What are the factors driving progress? developmentprogress.org @dev_progress Increasing call and demand for higher levels of education by the public: education →job→ investment→ quality of life→ development Strong political will and commitment to education beyond only the basic levels: responsive policies, strategies, leadership, mobilization, and resources, (Education as a platform for election campaigns e.g. 2002, 2007and 2013 General Elections)
What are the factors driving progress? developmentprogress.org @dev_progress Significant domestic and international resources targeted at education programme (e.g. Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP) 2005/06-2009/10) with elements of these supporting post-primary levels Communities and the private sector: aggressive and proactive in investing and increasing education opportunities at the secondary and tertiary level
What are the remaining challenges? developmentprogress.org @dev_progress Addressing entrenched inequality (regional, economic, and gender) across the system Maintaining and sustaining the gains in access and participation in post-primary education, under increased poverty, depressed economic growth and increased insecurity (e.g. in ASAL and Coastal Counties). Mobilizing additional resources for education (e.g. County government making investment in quality education a priority).
What are the remaining challenges? developmentprogress.org @dev_progress Quality (and even relevance) at all levels of Kenya’s education system is a major challenge (limited resources, teachers, commitment, poor pedagogy etc.) Unemployment of schooled graduates, influencing young people’s attitudes towards education Financial constraints and sustainability: huge resources needed for infrastructure, teaching-learning materials, teachers, quality assurance, capitation grants, university students loans, equipment's etc. → But limited resources exist
Critical issues in education progress in Kenya developmentprogress.org @dev_progress • Commissions and task forces in education: involving the public but also shifting the public attention from challenges in education. • Enabling environment for investment and resource mobilization: increase in the number of schools and classrooms (Public, Community, Private, and Religious based investing): Primary to Universities. • Research for policy:informing the public and creating pressure on the Government (the role of researchers, policy analysts & the media); • Public interest, demand and push for education: competition in the job market. But not in ASAL regions.
Lessons to learn from Kenya developmentprogress.org @dev_progress Political will and commitment being a great driving force Lowering households’ burden for education to increase access to secondary and university education Community (and household) action, demanding and investing in post-primary education. Balancing expansion to access to education (educational opportunities) with quality and relevance programmes. GoK and other stakeholders have just realized that this issue is important (core focus of researchers and MoE Sector Plan) But above all: Focus! Target! Focus! And Target.
developmentprogress.org @dev_progress Thank you for your attention Okwach Abagi (PhD) Director, Policy, Capacity Building & M& E Specialist OWN & Associates Ltd, Nairobi KENYA. Email:abagiown@gmail.com
Development Progress exploring what works and why developmentprogress.org @dev_progress