{"id":285,"date":"2020-10-14T14:17:09","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T14:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/?page_id=285"},"modified":"2024-12-18T08:04:59","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T08:04:59","slug":"education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/helpful-services\/education\/","title":{"rendered":"Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-background\" style=\"background-color:#cccccc30\">In Kenya, refugee and asylum seeker children and adults have access to universal primary education, as well as access to pre-primary education, secondary education, vocational skills, and tertiary institutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This page contains information on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"block-0b8a93c4-e9d6-41aa-a804-6c363cbecf91\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#h1-basic\">Basic Educ<\/a><a href=\"#h2-basic\">a<\/a><a href=\"#h1-basic\">tion in Kenya<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h2-school\">School Term Dates 2025<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h2-basiceducation\">Basic Education in the Refugee Camps in Kakuma and Dadaab<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h2-student\">Student Movement Passes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h2-higher\">Higher Education in Kenya<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#h2-highereducation\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#h1-highereducation\">Education Scholarships<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/announcements\/\" style=\"background-color:#cce3f2\"><strong>Looking for a scholarship? Find opportunities here<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" id=\"h2-basic\" style=\"background-color:#0072bc\"><strong>Basic Education in Kenya<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Every child in Kenya has a right to education according to the Kenyan Constitution and the Basic Education Act of 2013.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Refugees and asylum seekers can freely enroll in the schools managed by UNHCR in the camps, in Kenyan public schools, or in private schools. There are no policies that prevent refugees from accessing basic education in Kenya.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basic education in Kenya is free and compulsory and is provided through:\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 years in Pre-primary\u202f\u202f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6 years in Primary (Grades 1\u20136)\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3 years in Junior School (Grades 7, 8, 9)\u202f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3 years in Senior School (grades 10,11,12)\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Age:<\/strong> It is compulsory for all children to enroll in and attend Basic Education. Children should be enrolled in pre-primary education at the age of 4 and start primary education at the age of 6. The CBC uses formative or ongoing assessment, so it is important for students to attend class every day and not to skip a grade.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Children entering a higher grade may be asked to provide school reports or certificates from their previous school or to sit for a placement test.\u202f Please contact your nearest school for more information.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Language:<\/strong> The language of instruction in Kenyan classrooms is English. Kiswahili is also an important subject as the national and official language of Kenya.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Principles:<\/strong> Kenyan schools use the national Competency-Based Curriculum, which puts emphasis on seven core competencies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>communication and collaboration,&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>critical thinking and problem-solving,&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>creativity and imagination,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>citizenship,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>digital literacy,&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>learning to learn and self-efficacy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Examinations:<\/strong> Public examinations include the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) at the end of Grade 6, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at the end of Grade 12. The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education has been phased out.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" id=\"h2-school\" style=\"background-color:#0072bc\"><strong>School Term Dates 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-white-background-color has-background\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Period<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Opening Dates<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Closing Dates<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Duration<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>TERM\u202f1<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>6th January<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>4th\u202fApril<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>13 Weeks<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>Half Term<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>26<\/em><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fFebruary<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">2<em><sup>nd <\/sup><\/em><em>March<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>3 days<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>Holiday (April)<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">7<em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fApril<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>25<\/em><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fApril<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>3 weeks<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>TERM 2<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>28<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u202fApril<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">1<strong><em><sup>st<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u202fAugust<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>14 weeks<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>Half term<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>25<\/em><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fJune<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>29<sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fJune<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>3 days<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>Holiday (August)<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">4<em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fAugust<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>22<sup>n<\/sup><\/em><em><sup>d<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fAugust<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>3 weeks<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>TERM 3<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>25<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u202fAugust<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>24<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u202fOctober<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><em>9 weeks<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>KPSEA &amp; KILEA Exams<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>27<\/em><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fOctober<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>31<\/em><em><sup>st<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fOctober<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>4 days<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>KJSEA &amp; KPLEA Exams<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">27<em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fOctober<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>6<sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fNovember<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">9 days&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>Holiday (Nov-Dec)<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>27<\/em><em><sup>th<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fOctober<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">2<em><sup>nd<\/sup><\/em><em>\u202fJanuary 2025<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><em>10 weeks<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" id=\"h2-basiceducation\" style=\"background-color:#0072bc\"><strong>Basic Education in the Refugee Camps in Kakuma and Dadaab<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Refugees, asylum-seekers, and host community children may access pre-primary, primary and secondary education in the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps and Kalobeyei Settlement.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Primary education<\/strong> managed by <strong>UNHCR and NGO partners\u202f(LWF, FCA, WIK, JRS)\u202f<\/strong>is <strong>provided free of charge in both camps.\u202f&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An <strong>Accelerated Education Programme (AEP)<\/strong> for out-of-school and over-age learners to bridge educational gaps is provided in selected primary schools and learning centres.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Kakuma, a small contribution is levied at the secondary level.\u202fThere are two camp-based girls\u2019 boarding schools (a primary and a secondary) located in Kakuma 1, managed by UNHCR and partners. Application for admission to these schools is open once a year in October. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To enrol or register in a school, please visit the nearest UNHCR Primary or Secondary school in your location and inquire about the procedures.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Basic Education in urban areas for refugees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For refugees living in urban areas, public primary and day secondary education is free of charge; however, schools may charge additional fees and levies. For more information, contact the public school in your locality or reach out to the Sub-County Director of Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1aa85536613429f955ee71fd0b737e41\" style=\"color:#0072bc\"><strong>What documents do I need<\/strong><strong> to register for school?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students may enrol in public schools using their refugee registration number, asylum pass number or birth certificate. Refugees holding Kenyan birth certificates are recommended to register with this document.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For assistance with admission to public schools, please contact the Sub-County Director of Education\u2019s office.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" id=\"h2-student\" style=\"background-color:#0072bc\"><strong>Student Movement Passes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students travelling to or returning from schools or universities outside of the camps should always visit the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) Camp Manager\u2019s Office to seek a Movement Pass to allow travel safely. You can book an appointment for the Camp Manager\u2019s Office through KASI at the UNHCR Field Posts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" id=\"h2-higher\" style=\"background-color:#0072bc\"><strong>Higher Education in Kenya<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenya has a robust tertiary education sector, providing many professional pathways and qualifications opportunities through <strong>Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) colleges<\/strong> and many public and private universities all over the country.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are looking for a higher education opportunity, check these resources:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A list of\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tveta.go.ke\/accredited-institutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accredited TVET institutions can be found here<\/a>.\u202f\u202f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A list of\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cue.or.ke\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;layout=edit&amp;id=22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">academic programmes offered at accredited Kenyan universities can be found here<\/a>.\u202f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refugee students who have completed their KCSE can apply for placement in Kenyan Universities and TVET institutions through the<a href=\"https:\/\/students.kuccps.net\/login\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u202fKenya Universities and Colleges Centralised Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal<\/a>.\u202f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Information on\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cue.or.ke\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=10&amp;Itemid=474\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recognition and equation of higher education qualifications earned at universities outside of Kenya can be found here<\/a>\u202for on the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/qa.knqa.go.ke\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">KNQA portal here<\/a>.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" id=\"h2-highereducation\" style=\"background-color:#0072bc\"><strong>Education Scholarships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Secondary school<\/strong><strong> scholarships<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong><strong><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholarships to attend public secondary schools are available through the following providers, though this support is highly competitive:\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/equitygroupfoundation.com\/wings-to-fly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wings to Fly<\/a>\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/windle.org\/scholarship_forms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UNHCR Urban Scholarships \u2013 Windle International Kenya<\/a>\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mpesafoundationacademy.ac.ke\/admissions-requiremen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mpesa Foundation Academy<\/a>\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elimu Scholarships&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private providers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Higher education scholarships:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenya refugees also have access to some in other countries. For more information please visit:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/announcements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UNHCR Kenya scholarships announcements page<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/services.unhcr.org\/opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UNHCR\u2019s global scholarships opportunities page<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DAFI Scholarship Program:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UNHCR offers higher education scholarships through the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/what-we-do\/build-better-futures\/education\/tertiary-education\/dafi-tertiary-scholarship-programme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Albert Einstein Academic Refugee Initiative or DAFI Scholarship Programme<\/a>, which opens once a year (around April\/May) for application.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information please visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/windle.org\/scholarship_forms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DAFI in Kenya, visit the Windle International Kenya website<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Kenya, refugee and asylum seeker children and adults have access to universal primary education, as well as access to pre-primary education, secondary education, vocational skills, and tertiary institutions.&nbsp;&nbsp; This page contains information on: Basic Education in Kenya Every child in Kenya has a right to education according to the Kenyan Constitution and the Basic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":0,"parent":267,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-285","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=285"}],"version-history":[{"count":71,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/285\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1870,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/285\/revisions\/1870"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}