2025 – 2027 Strategic Goal 4: All children learn from a safe, quality, and inclusive education

In both Kenya and Madagascar, education faces significant challenges, particularly in times of crisis. Despite Kenya’s constitutional guarantee of basic education, millions of children remain out of school, particularly in conflict-affected and marginalized regions like ASAL counties. Quality of education remains low, with a learning poverty rate of 57% for 10-year-olds, and large disparities in access based on region, gender, and disability status. Refugee children and those affected by climate change face additional barriers.

In Madagascar, early childhood education is severely lacking, with only 15% of preschool-aged children enrolled, and just 11% demonstrating basic literacy and numeracy. Climate-related disruptions, teacher shortages, and poor infrastructure further exacerbate the learning crisis in both countries. Inequalities based on socio-economic status, region, and gender continue to deepen the crisis, with girls, particularly in rural areas, facing unique barriers such as early marriage and domestic responsibilities.

Both countries struggle with underinvestment in education, inadequate school infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in emergency settings.