Strategy

STRATEGY AND CAMPAIGN FOCUS

EYC has a three year Strategic plan, during this strategy period of 2009 – 2012, EYC will concentrate its energies and deepen its focus on four broad themes, which will comprise the key strategic thrusts for its campaigns;

1. Networking and Coalition Building: EYC has an inherent responsibility of bringing together all education stakeholders to solidly work for the achievement of EFA goals in Kenya. The Coalition shall intensify activities aimed at Coalition building and networking among its members, education providers and partners.

2. Education Policy, Curriculum and Legislative Reforms: In the next three years EYC will be seeking to play a central role in the implementation of Kenya Education Sector Support Program (KESSP), Education For All plans, review of Fast Track Initiative (EFA FTI) and engage in other education sector policy processes. In terms of legislation we will be seeking greater role in fast tracking repeal of Education Act through the pending Education and Training Bill, securing basic education as a constitutional right in the ongoing constitutional reform process by the Committee of Experts; and based on the Sessional Paper no. 1 of 2005, advocate for development of a comprehensive education sector policy for Kenya.

3. Finance Analysis and Budget Tracking: EYC will continue to review and analyze education sector budget with a view to influencing allocation priorities every year; given that financial plans and allocations are indicative of what the government intends to fulfil, and are an important demonstration of commitment to progressive realization of obligations around basic education in particular and Education For All in general. Public spending directed to education will be interrogated to determine if the maximum available resources are actually being devoted to realizing the right to education in urban and rural areas and if the expenditure reflects the principles of equity and non-discrimination as committed to by the Government. EYC further seeks to build capacity of CSOs and communities in finance analysis and budget tracking to inform their advocacy work and promote accountability for increased public investment in basic education. This will involve reviewing and analyzing the education sector budget, against priorities of KESSP and current development plans and conduct education sector accountability sessions with the Parliamentary Committee on Education, relevant ministries and other stakeholders.

4. Research, Communications and Technology: EYC’s principal responsibility is to mobilize all actors in the education sector and coordinate national campaigns for the achievement of EFA goals in totality. The Coalition shall endeavour to conduct research from time to time (at least one study per year) to inform its advocacy efforts and to influence policy and curriculum reforms. To augment its research efforts, the Coalition shall put in place mechanisms for effective storage and retrieval of information in order to ensure efficient dissemination and sharing of such information to members and stakeholders.

CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE

Executive Committee: working under the mandate of the board of Trustees
Ex-Com currently consisting of 12 member organizations and has the responsibility to provide oversight and policy direction for the campaign. In addition, Ex-Com offers Strategic leadership and technical advice on policy and legislative engagement to the Coalition.

Secretariat
Runs the day to day campaign activities under the direction of the Executive Committee. The Secretariat co-ordinates all the campaigns being undertaken by the Coalition and liaises with all the members at all levels. The secretariat leads the way in strategic engagement within the civil society and beyond n order to create meaningful levels of exchange

Through the eight Thematic groups EYC wages the campaign for education at all levels
a) Primary and Secondary Education
b) Gender and Girls Education
c) Disability and Special needs Education
d) Early Childhood Development
e) Youth Skills and Adult Literacy
f) Quality and Teacher Status
g) Basic Education in Urban Slums and Arid Lands

County Education Networks
EYC has presence in all the 47 counties as stipulated in the new constitution through the members. At the same time the Coalition will endeavour to foster County Education Networks CENs

Membership
The campaigns of EYC are co-ordinated through the more than 50 members spread across the country who have both grass-root, regional and national outreaches.