Post on 05-Aug-2020
Dr. Loise Gichuhi
Education in Emergencies Project Administrator
University of Nairobi
Humanitarian Partnership Conference 2015
Boma Hotel, Nairobi
15th to 17th September
University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 1
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 2
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 3
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 4
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 5 Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
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 9001:2008 6
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 7
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 8 Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 9
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
e
University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 10
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
e
School #Students #Refugees Students
#Teachers #Refugee Teachers
Sudi (Community School)
225 127 18 4
New Eastleigh (Public)
782 671 30 0
Mwiki (Public)
2550 200 62 0
New Kihumbuini (Public)
1801 50 34 0
● 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 9001:2008 11 Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
● 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 9001:2008 12
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 13 Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
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 9001:2008 14
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 15
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 16 Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
● Methodology and Pedagogy
○ Teacher-centered pedagogy widely used
○ Discourse - “call and response”
○ Learner participation was passive
University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 17
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 18
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 19
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 20
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 21
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
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 9001:2008 22 Certified
http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
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 9001:2008 23
Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.k
e
Thank you
Email :lopawer2@gmail.com
Tweeter : @loise_gichuhi
Skype: loise.gichuhi1
University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 * Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke