In 2025, the Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) was marked under the compelling theme: “Education Saves Lives: Education in Emergencies.” This global campaign underscored the urgent need to protect and prioritize access to quality education during times of crisis—including armed conflict, forced displacement, natural disasters, and public health emergencies.
As part of this worldwide movement, Elimu Yetu Coalition (EYC), in collaboration with WeWorld Kenya, organized a powerful engagement forum that amplified the voices of learners, educators, and community leaders from marginalized and crisis-affected regions of Kenya.
The forum served as a critical platform for participants to share lived experiences, shed light on the unique challenges they face, and advocate for stronger systems that safeguard education during emergencies. Discussions highlighted how education provides more than just learning—it offers safety, hope, routine, and resilience for children and communities navigating extreme hardship.
Speakers emphasized the need for:
- Emergency-responsive education policies that ensure learning continuity in times of disruption.
- Investment in safe and inclusive learning environments for displaced and vulnerable learners.
- Training for teachers and education personnel to respond effectively during crises.
- Integration of psychosocial support services into education programming.
- Stronger coordination among government, humanitarian, and development actors.
The event reaffirmed that education must be at the heart of every emergency response—not as an afterthought, but as a life-saving intervention.
