At times, some argue that after education, you have defeated illiteracy, not poverty, and that the streets await you, where the true test of whether learning has taken place becomes key.
The world is facing a learning crisis. While countries have made significant strides in increasing access to education, being in school does not necessarily equate to learning. According to a UNESCO report, 251 million children and youth were out of school in 2024, despite decades of progress in educational access. This is also the case in my own country, Kenya, where primary education is free—but is it quality education? Let’s demystify this concept of quality education.
…a learner-focused approach to education prepares students for life. It encompasses a safe and supportive child-friendly environment, quality teachers who are receiving professional development, a balanced curriculum where learners feel engaged, and sufficient, inclusive learning facilities. It is holistic, instilling values, and helping students, irrespective of their background, develop the skills and abilities needed to thrive.
But what is the problem? “For too long, we have focused on the wrong things when it comes to improving quality education.” The task before us is to identify the real effective tools of learning: child-friendly spaces, competent teachers, and ensuring children enjoy the learning process. Let us come together for this change!
What is International Day of Education?
International Day of Education was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018 and is celebrated annually on January 24th. The day was established to emphasize the vital role of education in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education. Education is a fundamental human right, yet millions of children and adults across the globe cannot access it. This day aims to shed light on the challenges people face in accessing education, encouraging governments, organizations, and individuals to come together to build inclusive and equitable education systems.
The day is marked by a recognition that quality education is a fundamental human right that is vital for inclusive sustainable development underpinned on equity in our global society. These celebrations aim to drive sustainable goals through education to:
- End persistent cycles of hardships caused by poverty in our communities.
- Address inequalities, especially gender inequality.
- With global conflicts/ wars persistent, promote peace that the world urgently needs to stop human suffering.
Why Communities Should Take Action
There is a need to focus on community action, and schools play an important role in ensuring that children are not just learners but active participants in community action on access to education. They must take lead in creating awareness in their schools and communities to tackle issues like the learning challenges they are facing.
“Investing in Quality Education at a Crossroads: The Significance of This Year’s Celebrations in the Modern World”
In 2025, the International Day of Education marks its seventh year, focusing on the theme “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” This theme addresses the impact of Artificial Intelligence and technology on education, emphasizing the need for educational systems to help individuals understand, adapt to, and influence these rapid technological changes. One of the most critical issues we face is the lack of access to technology.
The Kenyan government’s introduction of e-learning in the new competency-based curriculum has emphasized the importance of integrating technology into education. However, children in rural and marginalized areas remain at a significant disadvantage, with limited access to computers and the internet creating a digital divide.
This year’s theme, therefore, is a well-thought-out call for action to support this campaign to help transform the lives of these children by providing them with the tools to succeed and enabling students to adapt to 21st-century skills to:
Global Initiatives Addressing Educational Challenges and RICCA’S Contribution
Several global initiatives are tackling pressing educational challenges, with a focus on expanding opportunities for marginalized children. These efforts are closely aligned with our mission to ensure that educational activities drive real change. We aim to strengthen the impact of key intervention strategies, which include expanding teacher training, enhancing student engagement, and fostering community involvement.
Addressing the Digital Gaps
In alignment with this year’s International Day of Education theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,”
RICCA-Kenya is taking crucial steps to empower children in rural and marginalized communities with the skills needed for a digital future. As part of our efforts, we are establishing an after-school centre that will provide educational support to children aged 6-14, alongside offering access to the internet and online learning platforms. This initiative aligns with the growing need to equip young learners with the critical digital skills required in a world increasingly driven by AI and automation. We are establishing the RICCA Digi Corner, a dedicated space where students can access online resources, collaborate on projects, and develop the 21st-century critical skilling necessary to thrive in the digital age. We are aiming to ensure that future generations can navigate, understand, and shape the technological landscape with confidence and competence.
1. Teacher Training and Support:
As global initiatives such as Teach For All emphasize, the quality of education is directly linked to the support and training teachers receive. Our strategy focuses on expanding teacher training by developing a trained “trainer of trainers” model, ensuring sustainable improvements in teaching quality. RICCA’s capacity building will prioritize child-friendly, learner-focused teaching approaches to boost engagement and retention, especially in marginalized areas.
2. Afterschool Programs:
We recognize the critical need for additional support outside regular school hours. Our model afterschool program will offer tutoring, creative skill development, and extracurricular activities, providing a safe space for children aged 6-14. This initiative will not only help students academically but also nurture their social and emotional growth, addressing educational gaps.
3. Child Rights Education and Advocacy:
Inspired by global programs like Girl Up, CISP and ChildFund, our child rights workshops will train students to be advocates for themselves and their peers. By facilitating peer-to-peer discussions on child rights and abuse prevention, we will enable children to play an active role within their communities and amplify their voices in improving the quality of education.
4. Addressing Infrastructure and Sanitation Needs:
In line with global efforts to improve educational access, our work will also focus on providing basic infrastructure support, particularly in rural and marginalized schools. Enhancing hygiene and sanitation facilities will create a safer, healthier learning environment, ensuring that students can attend school without fear of illness or unsafe conditions.
5. Reducing Dropout Rates and Promoting Inclusion:
Global initiatives focusing on breaking the cycle of poverty through education inspire our efforts to reduce school dropout rates. By providing targeted support through our afterschool, teacher capacity building, advocacy, and community involvement, we aim to create an inclusive education environment where children have the opportunity to succeed academically and socially, regardless of their background.
How You Can Get Involved with International Education Day Activities
International Day of Education is more than just a reminder. it’s a call to action. At RICCA-Kenya, we are committed to providing every child with the opportunity to access quality education, and you can play a vital role in driving this change. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Amplify the Message on Social Media: Share stories and facts that highlight the barriers many children face in accessing education. Follow our social media channels, reshare this article to spark conversations about education challenges and solutions.
- Grassroot simple events: in our own small ways, lets create opportunities for people to get involved and show support for global education efforts, which directly aligns with our mission to improve education in marginalized communities.
- Donate to Organizations Working on Education Access: Your donations can help organizations like RICCA-Kenya provide essential resources for children, especially in rural or marginalised areas. RICCA’s programs focus on offering afterschool educational support, improving teacher training, and providing safe learning environments that equip children with the necessary skills to succeed. Your contribution will directly support these efforts, from providing digital learning tools to improving infrastructure in underserved schools.
- Give Through Gifts for a Good Cause: Choose to donate school supplies like books, writing materials, play learning materials or technological tools such as computers, tablets or laptops, which are vital for modern learning environments. Your gift will directly impact children who need access to digital tools, especially those in marginalized communities who lack basic educational resources.
- Donate Monthly: Committing to a monthly donation ensures continuous support for children’s education. Your ongoing contribution will help sustain the educational initiatives RICCA is driving, including our afterschool programs, teacher training, and digital learning efforts.
How can your Donation Help
Your donation can create lasting change in the lives of children, especially those living in poverty through grassroot initiatives such as RICCA, you create direct, immediate impact. For instance, your contribution can help us establish RICCA Digi Corner in rural Kirinyaga, a space where children can access online learning resources and develop digital literacy skills to prepare them for a digital economy. Additionally, it can support the expansion of our teacher training programs, ensuring that educators are equipped with child-centered methods to improve engagement and enjoying while learning, particularly in marginalized areas.
Visit our website www.ricca-kenya.org for contact or write us an email
info@ricca-kenya.org