The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kenya yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support fair access to quality primary education for after-school children (OOSC) in Kenya by Unicef. Contributions from the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding will support educational opportunities for 250,000 OOSCs and reach the most marginalized children, including those with disabilities in informal urban settlements, as well as in arid and semi-arid areas. The program is run by the Education Above All Foundation (EAA) strategic partner, Unicef, and aims to increase the capacity and accountability of communities to improve OOSC registration and retention.
In addition, the project aims to ensure the provision of high quality teaching and learning by implementing alternative educational offers, building teacher capacities, renovating classrooms, building WASH facilities and improving access to learning for children with disabilities so that all children have equal access to education to ensure enrolled in the project. Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari, Director General of QFFD, said: “We are proud of this collaboration with the EAA, its partner Unicef and the Ministry of Education in the Republic of Kenya, and encouraged by this potentially life-changing project that will enable equitable access to high quality educational opportunities for out-of-school children in the country. ““ This program will not only help ensure access to education for some of the most vulnerable children, including those with disabilities, but will also help achieve SDG4 and help Kenyan children create their futures and make them affordable of supporting skills that are essential to living in them the 21st century. “
Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All Foundation, commented, “This agreement is another important step in our efforts to ensure that out-of-school children in Kenya fulfill their right to a quality primary education that provides them with tangible skills and knowledge in preparation on the future. We want to offer education that creates equality and inclusivity as key factors for sustainable development. Ultimately, there is nothing more critical than education and its potential to transform societies and adequately equip future generations. “Professor George Magoha, the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Education in the Republic of Kenya, said:” Promoting equity between generations in access to education is an important pillar in promoting sustainable development. In this regard, I commend all of our partners, led by QFFD, EAA and Unicef, for working with the Kenyan government to ensure that quality education is provided to marginalized children and communities across the country, especially during this time, in which the country is trying to recover from the EU, the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education sector.
As the government continues to implement the competency-based curriculum, this program will provide the tools necessary to equip and nurture learners with the competencies they need to achieve their potential. “UNICEF Representative in Kenya, Maniza Zaman, said,” We are very excited to implement this important program in Kenya to unlock the life-changing benefits of education for an additional 250,000 extra-curricular children. Last year we saw the devastating effects of school closings on children. In addition to education, schools provide a range of services – from meals and psychosocial support to a sense of security and protection – that are essential for children’s development. “
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