Dr. Loise Gichuhi Education in Emergencies Project Administrator University of Nairobi Humanitarian Partnership Conference 2015 Boma Hotel, Nairobi 15 th to 17 th September University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 The full story of refugees in Kenya goes beyond Kakuma and Dadaab.  There are evidenced phenomena of refugees increasingly moving to urban areas  UNHCR notes that only one third of 10.5 million refugees now live in camps. University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 More than half of the refugees UNHCR serves now live in urban areas, with the rest living in rural areas.  About 56,000 refugees live in various cities in Kenya, majority living in Nairobi. University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 This discussion is based on a qualitative case study research project conducted at eight primary schools, four in Nairobi and four in Kakuma refugee camp, “Quality Education for Refugees in Kenya: Nairobi and Kakuma (2014) University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 For the purpose of this discussion, urban refugees are the focal point.  Four schools were sampled on the basis of the number of refugees admitted to the schools at the time of the study.  Major research themes are cited and (recommendations made)  Some reflection on the principles of humanitarianism, University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 Many humanitarian actors’ activities are guided by four humanitarian principles: ◦ humanity ◦ neutrality ◦ impartiality ◦ independence.  Humanitarian principles provide the foundations for humanitarian action. University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 Largest urban refugee population  56,000 refugees registered by UNHCR  UNHCR data indicates that ◦ Somali population is the largest followed by ◦ Ethiopians, ◦ Congolese, ◦ Sudanese, ◦ Ugandan and ◦ Rwandese,  while smaller refugee group residing in Nairobi include those from Eritrea and Burundi. University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Multi-sited, comparative case study ● Data collection methods o Classroom observations o Semi-structured interviews ● Document review ● Interviews o Transcribed verbatim o Coded thematically  Etic and emic codes o School data was further analyzed in order for cross-cutting issues University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

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University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e School#Students#Refugees Students #Teachers#Refugee Teachers Sudi (Communi ty School) New Eastleigh (Public) Mwiki (Public) New Kihumbui ni (Public)

● Students enter schools speaking mother tongue ● Current policy in Kenya ○ Schools teach in Kiswahili or English ● Impact on students and teachers ○ Challenges- the learning of Kiswahili which is examined at KCPE ○ Strengths - Students want to learn English University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Current Policy ○ Schools follow national Kenya curriculum ■Needed to pass KCPE exam ● Impact on Students and Teachers ○ Challenges- difficult to teach due to range of educational and linguistic student backgrounds ● Schools accommodate the religions of refugee students University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Textbooks ○ Lack of textbooks ○ Textbook quality falls short ● Schools are overcrowded ● Scarcity of latrines ○ Cultural issue - Sudanese girls cannot be seen by males going to latrines ■Males are potential husbands University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

Overage students  Language barriers and lack of previous experience result in allocation of older students in lower grades  No special desks  No preparation for integration  Need additional help in classroom especially to fit in and languages University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

Female students ◦ Female enrollment rates continue to drop with every grade level ◦ Early marriage, FGM, and domestic work are causes of female drop out ◦ Lack of reproductive health classes University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 Unaccompanied Minors ◦ Reasons for being unaccompanied - loss of family, mobile families looking for work, repatriated families sending children to school in host country ◦ Some school programs are in place to assist University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Methodology and Pedagogy ○ Teacher-centered pedagogy widely used ○ Discourse - “call and response” ○ Learner participation was passive University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Teacher Training ○ Based on the findings of this study, teacher training is one of the areas that requires urgent attention ■Programs are in place, but vary in quality and access ○ Teachers have expressed desire for training ○ Finding funding for training is an issue University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Teacher Absenteeism, Motivation, and Turnover ○ Reasons for both- safety, participation in resettlement program, mobility for economic opportunities, and collection of rations ○ Low teacher motivation due to low pay, inconsistent pay, overall lack of support ○ Lack of training on the best methods to teach refugees University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Refugee movement between Kakuma and Nairobi ● Impact of mobility and migration ○ Student absenteeism ○ Lack of student documentation ○ Leaving students with extended family University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

● Funding is a major shortfall ○ Not supported by Kenyan Board of Education ○ Rely on community support ○ Impacts personnel, infrastructure, and material availability ● Major strength ○ Community support ■Education “buy in” University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 How do the Key findings fit in the humanitarian principles?  Who are the Key Players?  Are they aware of their role?  Kenyan Teachers Training? Humanitarian Principles? Dealing with refugees?  What are the solutions? University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

 What proactive role can the humanitarian do to improve on this ?  Is open admission policy enough in the integration process of the refugees?  Should there be a special curriculum and certification for the refugees?  Training of teachers..should it include refugees matters as an emerging issue ? University of Nairobi ISO 9001: Certified e

Thank you Tweeter Skype: loise.gichuhi1 University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 * Certified