Kenya Launches Groundbreaking Initiative to Integrate Climate Change Education in Public Schools – The East Observer

Alef Education, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), and UNICEF have jointly announced a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at integrating climate change education into the curriculum of public schools across Kenya.

This collaborative initiative harnesses technology and digital learning to empower children, youth, and educators with essential knowledge and skills to tackle the climate crisis effectively.

Under the MoU, the three organizations will work together to develop and implement a comprehensive climate education course that complements Kenya’s existing school curriculum, overseen by KICD under the Ministry of Education’s guidance.

The educational content will be delivered through KICD’s Kenya Education Cloud platform, which connects schools nationwide to educational resources. This partnership aims to enhance awareness, knowledge, and action on climate change among students and educators, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action.

Professor Charles Ochieng Ong’ondo, CEO of KICD, highlighted the significance of equipping learners with environmental problem-solving skills: “This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering relevant educational content that prepares learners for the future. By integrating climate change education into the curriculum via digital platforms, we take a crucial step towards building a sustainable society. KICD will ensure broad access by embedding this content in the Kenya Education Cloud, facilitating widespread availability for learners and teachers nationwide.”

The partnership is dedicated to continually enhancing the climate change education initiative, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness. Alef Education contributes significantly by providing high-quality digital educational materials on carbon literacy, including videos, quizzes, and interactive resources designed to empower learners and educators alike in understanding and addressing climate change challenges.

Geoffrey Alphonso, CEO of Alef Education, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are pleased to partner with KICD and UNICEF to integrate climate change education into Kenya’s public school curriculum. This partnership underscores our commitment to providing innovative learning solutions and programmes that ensure every student has access to climate education. Education is pivotal to a sustainable future, and through technology, we aim to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to address climate change effectively, fostering responsible global citizenship and contributing to a greener future for all.”

Shaheen Nilofer, UNICEF Country Representative, emphasized the importance of empowering children in today’s world: “Our collaboration with KICD and Alef Education reflects our commitment to equipping children with essential tools. Integrating climate change education into the curriculum empowers children to become agents of change for a resilient Kenya. Through UNICEF’s school connectivity programmes, we ensure access to climate education content even in the most remote and vulnerable areas of the country.”

The signing ceremony, hosted at KICD offices in Nairobi, was attended by representatives from the Ministries of Education, the ICT Authority, and the UAE ambassador, along with other development partners.

This MoU signing represents a significant stride towards advancing climate change education, highlighting the partners’ collective dedication to fostering a greener and more resilient Kenya.

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