ZAF’s focus on ensuring government and community ownership of interventions has driven the institutionalisation of education reforms, ensuring long-term sustainability beyond ZAF’s direct involvement.
Securing county government commitment to supporting foundational learning
After two years of work in supporting foundation learning in Kirinyaga County, Kenya, the county government has pledged its full support for the Napenda Kusoma initiative, marking a significant step forward for foundational learning in the region. Beyond this endorsement, the county government also committed to weaving Napenda Kusoma into its broader Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) strategy. This move signals a great buy-in that sets the path towards mainstreaming foundational learning to help children furthest behind learn and thrive.
Sparking a numeracy movement in Bungoma West Sub-County in Kenya
The ownership of the collaborative error analysis work on numeracy in Bungoma West Sub-county has sparked a numeracy movement, resulting in the establishment of the Sub-County Advisory Group to enhance the delivery of foundational learning in partnership with local education stakeholders. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Sub-County Director and Sub-County Director of Education have committed to deploying the tested foundational numeracy tools and approaches across all schools in the sub-county. Additionally, ZAF supported the creation of a Foundational Learning Community of Practice, bringing together the Ministry of Education (MOE), the TSC, and the Bungoma County Education office to create a sustainable peer-learning model for numeracy. Recognized as a thought leader, ZAF was invited to showcase its numeracy work at the KEPSHA Bungoma West Sub-county stakeholders’ meeting, attended by over 500 participants.
Celebrating community champions: Zanzibar’s PTAs lead the way in life skills education
In a heartwarming celebration of grassroots leadership, our partner Milele Zanzibar Foundation (MZF) feted 130 Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Champions in Zanzibar for their unwavering commitment to life skills education. These parents and guardians have become powerful catalysts for change, advocating for the importance of values, resilience, and critical thinking in children’s learning journeys.
Their recognition is more than symbolic; it affirms the vital role communities play in shaping education from the ground up. By driving life skills conversations at the local level, these champions are proving that lasting transformation begins at home and grows through collective action. This milestone underscores ZAF’s belief that empowering communities is key to building education systems that truly prepare learners for life.
Driving youth employment through industry-aligned training
ZAF’s research report on in-demand jobs in Mombasa’s hospitality and tourism sector brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainers, youth, and top county officials who committed to aligning training and operational standards with industry needs. ZAF is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Labour to develop and validate occupational standards for the hospitality and tourism industry as well as supporting the county government to draft the County Vocational Training Bill to guide future job planning.
