Non-Formal Education Programme in Kenya

The Kenya government has been working on non-formal education (NFE) programmes, which are expected to provide comprehensive and complementary delivery channels of quality basic education to children, especially those living in difficult circumstances, including those in urban slums and hardship areas.  Among others, the government has published a policy that guides the provision of quality education at the NFE centers.

A key feature of the NFE programmes is that they are flexible as they take cognizance of the difficult conditions under which the children live and operate.  To strengthen the non-formal programmes, the government plans to give legal recognition to the NFE centers through the Education Act so that they can benefit from the services that those in the formal education get.  In particular, the government plans to provide professional support in curriculum development, teacher training, monitoring and evaluation and resources.

Challenges facing NFE

• Lack of clear policy framework to guide and regulate various players in the sub-sector.
• Lack of qualified and competent teachers.
• Inadequate and quite often substandard teaching/learning materials and physical facilities.
• Negative social attitudes towards, NFE.
• Lack of (assessment) monitoring and evaluation mechanisms ( and capacity)
• Lack of clear accreditation procedures.
• Lack of reliable data on out-of-school children and those attending NFE programmes.