Higher Education & TVETS – Kenya National Commission for UNESCO

Advancing ICT Integration in Teaching and Learning

j.gitahi — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:37:03 +0000

KNATCOM in partnership with the Ministry of Education successfully implemented the UNICEF-funded UKPPL Digital Learning Programme. This is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing ICT integration in education. It empowers school leaders, teachers, and members of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Boards of Management (BoMs) with essential digital skills, while also raising awareness of key education policies.
The programme’s core mission is to improve teaching and learning outcomes in Kenya’s primary schools. By strengthening digital literacy and competencies, it equips educators and learners with the tools they need to thrive in a modern, technology-driven world. The platform is designed to make teaching more effective by saving time, expanding reach, and ensuring equal access for all learners – including those in remote areas and children with special needs.
By integrating ICT into classrooms, learners develop critical thinking, digital competencies, collaborative skills, and other 21st-century skills. These abilities enhance learning outcomes and prepare students to succeed in a knowledge-based society and contribute meaningfully to a modern, innovation-driven economy.
The programme aligns with Kenya’s digitalization agenda, guided by the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032, which emphasizes digital literacy and ICT skills in schools. Moreover, it supports UNESCO’s vision for inclusive, quality education, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 and SDG 10), and regional digital learning initiatives across Africa.
To advance this initiative, a collaborative workshop was held from 25th to 29th August 2025 at Machakos Teachers Training College. Experts and stakeholders from the Ministry of Education (MoE), KNATCOM, and the ICT Authority came together to review the programme and explore practical strategies for integrating ICT into classrooms. This engagement laid the foundation for the pilot rollout.
A two-week pilot phase will be conducted across 13 target counties: Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Tana River, Marsabit, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kilifi, and Kajiado. It will also include informal settlements in Nairobi. During this period, teachers will engage with the platform both online and in person. Their feedback will help refine the programme before a full-scale rollout. This phased approach ensures the initiative remains responsive to local needs and realities.
KNATCOM continues to champion the ICT Integration in education, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, engaging, and future-ready education. Through this support, the commission ensures that technology and digital skills are effectively embedded in teaching and learning, giving every child the opportunity to learn, innovate, and succeed.

Empowering Educators for a Digital Future: the UKPPL digital earning project

j.gitahi — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:29:19 +0000

The Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and with the support of UNICEF, is promoting ICT Integration in Education through the UKPPL Digital Learning Programme.
This initiative aligns with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (2023–2027), the KNATCOM Strategic Plan 2024-2028 that promotes Inclusive and equitable quality education, and the Government of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), reflecting the nation’s commitment to advancing quality education through technology and innovation.

Through the programme, comprehensive ICT Integration course content was developed and digitized into a dynamic Learning Management System (LMS) accessible via https://elearning.unesco.go.ke, with technical support from ICT Authority Kenya. The self-paced course builds the capacity of facilitators, school leaders comprising of the Board of Management and the Head of institutions, and teachers, enabling them to integrate ICT effectively in teaching and learning.
To date, over 600 primary school teachers from more than 14 counties across Kenya have enrolled. Upon successful completion, participants receive a certificate of achievement, recognizing their digital competency.
In addition, the programme has collaborated with community radio stations to create awareness among teachers, learners, and parents on key Digital Learning policies, including the Policy on Information and Communication Technology in Education and Training, the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, and the Data Protection Regulations. Teachers were also sensitized on the existing digital learning opportunities, enabling them to make informed use of emerging educational technologies and platforms.
During the monitoring and evaluation exercises, teachers expressed overwhelming satisfaction, noting that the course has strengthened their capacity to apply digital tools in lesson delivery, making learning more engaging, enjoyable effective.
By equipping educators with 21st-century digital skills and promoting responsible use of technology, Digital Learning has an immense potential in shaping a future-ready generation and advancing Kenya’s vision for inclusive, innovative, and technology-driven education.

Transforming Futures: Advancing ESD for 2030 through Action Research in ASPnet Institutions

j.gitahi — Wed, 07 May 2025 18:05:14 +0000

Transforming Futures: Advancing ESD for 2030 through Action Research

A group of practitioners during the ESD Action research orientation workshop in Murang’a TTC

The Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) held a two-day workshop on 15–16 April 2025 at Murang’a Teachers Training College, bringing together 30 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) practitioners from five ASPnet institutions. The workshop introduced participants to action research aimed at evaluating ESD tools with a focus on integrating sustainability into curricula, pedagogy, and assessment through a whole-institution approach.

Group discussion during the ESD Action research orientation workshop

Participants from Wote TTI, Buruburu Girls, Hospital Hill Primary, Murang’a TTC, and Kenyatta University were trained on the application of ESD tools and developed action plans to guide their research. The three-month project, funded by the Government of Japan through the UNESCO Participation Programme, will generate insights to inform the review and scaling up of ESD practices in Kenya’s learning institutions.

Technical Workshop for the IEC Guideline Development

j.gitahi — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:31:13 +0000

The Technical Workshop for the Development of Institutional Guidelines and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Materials on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Teachers in Africa 3rd – 7th March 2025 Naivasha, Kenya. The meeting brought together participants from Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia including Senior Ministry of Education officials, representatives of Teacher Service Commission/Teacher Management Commissions, representatives of Teacher Unions, Heads of Associations officials, teachers and lecturers educators from TTCs and universities. The meeting was organized by Kenya National Commission for UNESCO jointly with UNESCO IICBA and UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Nairobi.

Ethics Education Training

j.gitahi — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:10:12 +0000

KNATCOM, in collaboration with Arigatou International, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, the Ministry of Education, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, and other key stakeholders, launched the 2nd phase of the Ethics Education Fellowship Programme (EEFP) at The Luke Hotel, Muranga.

This initiative empowers educators to integrate ethics into learning, fostering peace, integrity, and responsible leadership in schools. Speaking at the event, KNATCOM Secretary General, Dr. James Njogu, emphasized the critical role of ethical education in shaping future generations and promoting social cohesion.

With the program’s expansion to Murang’a and Kitui counties, KNATCOM reaffirms its commitment to strengthening values-based education in Kenya.

#EthicsEducation #ShapingFutureLeaders #KNATCOM

High Level Conference and workshop on Climate Change Education

j.gitahi — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:39:48 +0000

The Principal Secretary, State Department of Basic education in the Ministry of Education Dr Belio Kipsang together with the Acting Secretary General. Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Dr James Njogu plant a tree during the official opening of the High Level Conference and workshop on Climate Change Education at Ole Sereni Hotel,Nairobi on 27th November 2023

Enhance Teachers’ MIL Competences to Achieve Educational and Sustainable Development Outcomes

j.gitahi — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:22:05 +0000

Training of ASPnet Patrons on Media and information literacy

During the Pan African Conference on Education held in Nairobi in April 2018, Africa’s education ministers recommended the ‘leveraging of digital opportunities by strengthening the development of digital skills and competencies at all levels through partnerships in support of ICT in education, including adoption of media and information literacy (MIL) and internet safety within curricula’ in what came to be known as the Nairobi Declaration and Call for Action on Education.
This declaration was made against the backdrop of a rapid growth of information and communications technologies on a global scale that has necessitated a redefinition of the traditional concept of literacy to include media and information literacy which equips both teachers and learners with skills to seek, access, evaluate, use and create information not only within the teaching-learning environment, but also informally in their quest to achieve their personal, social and occupational goals.
According to UNESCO, media and information literacy explores the role and function of media and other information providers such as libraries, archives, and the Internet. Therefore, MIL is an important component in an information and knowledge-based society because it encourages and equips citizens with skills to evaluate and use media and other information providers based on how they are produced, the messages being conveyed and the intended audience.
In the education context, MIL has several benefits. First, it is a lever for changes in education using ICTs which can serve to build a bridge between learning that takes place in a physical classroom as well as the digital space. Second, in the teaching and learning process, media and information literacy equips teachers with enhanced knowledge to empower future digital citizens and third, MIL helps to enhance education outcomes by equipping citizens with the necessary competences to participate fully in political, economic, and social life.
In recent years, support for media and information literacy education has grown significantly with education development actors and teacher educators alike advocating for its inclusion in programmes and curricula. UNESCO took the lead in 2011 when it developed the first MIL Curriculum for Teachers (later reviewed and re-published in 2022) to guide the adaptation of MIL to respective local educational and learning contexts among the member states. In 2019, Kenya was among the first countries in Africa to adapt and develop the MIL Curriculum for Teachers in Kenya in a partnership between the UNESCO regional office, the Centre for MIL in Kenya and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
To add value to the developed MIL curriculum, this collaboration has been extended in 2023 in a skills-transfer project to train more teachers in Kenya under the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) managed by the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.
The Capacity building project to be held on 4th-8th December, 2023 is aimed at strengthening the teachers’ institutional and individual capacities to mainstream media and information literacy within their teaching practices, lesson plans, engagements and participation in local educational and civic activities.

Call for Public Input: Ratification of The Regional and Global Conventions on Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education:

j.gitahi — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:14:17 +0000

The Ministry of Education, State Department of Higher Education and Research is seeking input and concurrence from the public on:

Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in African States

The Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in African States.

Access the full text here:
Give your input on this Google form document

Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education

Access the full text here:
Give your input on this Google form document

The two Conventions facilitate continental and international academic mobility and promote inclusive access to higher education by ensuring the right of individuals to have their qualifications evaluated through fair, transparent and non-discriminatory mechanisms. They also aim to promote quality assurance, academic integrity, strengthen international cooperation in higher education and contribute to raising
the quality of education in the continent and worldwide.

Kenyans are ranked as highly qualified, skilled, and competitive at the regional and global labour market. The Conventions will afford qualified Kenyans an opportunity for regional and international mobility and recognition of their qualifications for employment opportunities and anchor Kenya as a center for education, research, and training.

Ratification of The Regional and Global Conventions on Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education

j.gitahi — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 19:47:35 +0000

Participants during the Ratification of The Regional and Global Conventions on Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education [PHOTO COURTESY]

The Kenya National Commission for UNESCO in partnership with a network of other organizations including UNESCO Headquarters, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa recently hosted a stakeholders sensitization workshop. It was on Ratification of The Regional and Global Conventions on Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education, held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

Embracing a Regional and Global Perspective:

As a nation, Kenya is part of both the continental and international community. In this increasingly interconnected world, it is essential to ensure that our qualifications are recognized not only within our borders but also across regions and globally. UNESCO, since its inception in 1945, has been dedicated to addressing issues of mobility in education, making this workshop all the more pertinent in today’s evolving global context.

The Role of Conventions:

The two conventions on Recognition of Qualifications, empower relevant bodies to recognize qualifications based on their respective country’s criteria. Indeed, Kenya has made substantial progress in enhancing the quality of qualifications awarded by institutions within the country, spanning certificates, diplomas, degrees, and Recognition of Prior Learning.

Key Objectives of the Conventions:

These conventions have been designed to achieve several critical objectives:

Strengthening and promoting inter-regional and international co-operation in the field of recognition of qualifications;
Defining and putting in place effective quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms at the national, regional and continental levels;
Encouraging and promoting the widest and most effective possible use of human resources available in Africa and of the diaspora in order to speed up the development of their respective countries and to limit African brain-drain;
Facilitating the exchange and greater mobility of students, teachers and researchers of the continent and the diaspora, by the recognition of qualifications delivered by other Parties in order to pursue higher education;
Furthering the setting up of high-level joint training and research programmes between higher education institutions and supporting the award of joint degrees;
Improving and reinforcing the collection and exchange of information for the purpose of implementing this Convention across the Continent and
Contributing to the harmonization of qualifications, taking into account current global trends.

The workshop offered participants a chance to examine, consolidate, and provide thoughtful input to the technical committee. to enhance the quality of the document towards ratification and ultimately anchor Kenya as a center for education, research and training
The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Fredrick Ndambuki on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Education, KNATCOM Ag. Secretary General, Dr. James Njogu, HSC graced the opening ceremony.

Courtesy call from the Chief of Education in UNESCO Lamine Mamadou Sow

j.gitahi — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:31:47 +0000

The Ag. Secretary General, KNATCOM Dr. James Njogu, HSC, received a courtesy call from the incoming Chief of Education at the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa – Lamine Mamadou Sow. The Chief of Education was accompanied by three officers from the Education Programme: Virginia Mumo, Feddal Scheherazade and Matsumoto, Toshiyuki. The KNATCOM Ag. Deputy Secretary General Dr. Joel Ongoto and the Director Education programme were also present.

The meeting underscored the need to further strengthen collaboration between the two offices with a view to enhance the impact of UNESCO Programmes and initiatives in Kenya. Some of the key areas of focus will be Adult Education and Lifelong Learning, Early Childhood Development and Education, Green Skills for Green Jobs, SDG4 Coordination, and Peace Education.