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developmentprogress.org BEYOND BASICS The growth of post-primary education in Kenya Okwach Abagi Director, OWN & Associates,

Outline 1.Kenya context 2.The growth of post-primary education in Kenya 3.Factors enabled enrollment improvements 4.Challenges ahead 5.Lessons learnt

Kenya Context 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 Source: UNESCO School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years)

The secondary enrolment rates increased by 50% in 10 years – from 40% in early 2000s up to 60% in 2009 Source: UNESCO Gross enrolment ratio, secondary

Access to higher education has increased, though still well below the sub-Saharan Source: UNESCO Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary

Increase in gender parity in enrolment rates since the 1970s with more recent setbacks Source: UNESCO Gender parity index

What are the factors driving 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? Significant domestic and international resources targeted at education programme (e.g. Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP) 2005/ /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? 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? 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 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 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.

Thank you for your attention Okwach Abagi (PhD) Director, Policy, Capacity Building & M& E Specialist OWN & Associates Ltd, Nairobi KENYA.

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