Education Out Loud (EOL) has emerged as a transformative programme reshaping how civil society influences education policy and practice in Kenya. Implemented by Elimu Yetu Coalition, the programme has shifted education advocacy from fragmented and reactive approaches to a coordinated, evidence-driven, and inclusive model that strengthens equity, accountability, and innovation across the sector.
Historically, education advocacy in Kenya faced challenges such as weak coordination among civil society actors, limited use of evidence in policy engagement, and inadequate inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly girls in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) and refugee-hosting communities. Although national indicators often showed progress in gender parity, significant regional disparities persisted, alongside limited data to guide ICT integration in education and weak grassroots structures such as County Education Networks (CENs).
Through EOL Phase III, EYC introduced a transformative approach anchored in evidence generation, partnership building, and inclusive participation. A key milestone was the Digital Ecosystem Study conducted across 10 counties using the Triple 10 CARE Model (Collect, Analyse, Report, Engage), mapping data from 1,000 schools on digital infrastructure, connectivity, device access, and teacher capacity. This evidence is now informing national and global education investments, including interventions by development partners and private sector actors.
The programme also strengthened County Education Networks as platforms for grassroots advocacy and accountability, ensuring communities play an active role in shaping education governance. In addition, EYC advanced gender-responsive programming through targeted interventions addressing barriers affecting adolescent girls, including early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and harmful cultural practices. A Gender Technical Working Group was established to drive coordinated, evidence-based solutions.
EOL further expanded inclusive education advocacy to refugee contexts by revitalizing and establishing CENs in Kakuma and Dadaab and their host communities. In collaboration with partners such as Save the Children under the Teach Well Voices initiative, the programme amplified refugee teachers’ voices and strengthened dialogue on refugee education policy. These efforts align with Kenya’s Shirika Plan and the Refugees Act (2021), which promote inclusion and access to public services, including education.
Strategic partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF, GIZ, ChildFund Kenya, and government institutions including the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Interior have enhanced evidence uptake and policy influence. High-level engagements, including policy dialogues on ICT in education, have translated research findings into actionable commitments.
As a result, EOL has contributed to mapping digital learning conditions in 1,000 schools, influencing investment decisions, strengthening gender-responsive interventions across eight counties, and improving visibility of refugee education challenges. Advocacy has become more structured, inclusive, and impactful—bridging the gap between evidence generation and policy action.
Education Out Loud now stands as more than a programme; it is a blueprint for sustainable education advocacy. It demonstrates how evidence, inclusive participation, and strategic partnerships can transform civil society engagement and drive meaningful education reform in Kenya.
