Background Information
The establishment of the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK) was informed by twin documents of Nomadic Education in Kenya, 2010 and Session Paper No. 14 of 2012. Further, the Council was established under Section 94 (1) and the 6th Schedule of the Basic Education Act of 2013 and officially launched in May 2015. The Council is a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency in the State Department of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education. The establishment of NACONEK is contained in;
1. Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2015 on reforming education and training sector in Kenya.
2. Sessional Paper No.8 of October 2012 on the “Policy for suitable development of Northern Kenya and other arid lands” releasing our full potential”.
3. The Basic Education Act 2013, section 94 and the Sixth 6th Schedule.
4. The Policy Framework for Nomadic Education in Kenya, 2010.
5. The National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP).
6. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
• Article 56(b) also provides that “…. the state shall put in place affirmative action programs designed to ensure that minorities and marginalized groups are provided with special opportunities in education and economic fields”
• Basic Education Act 2013, Section 39(c) states that it shall be the duty of the Cabinet Secretary to ensure that children belonging to marginalized, vulnerable or disadvantaged groups are not discriminated against and prevented from pursuing and completing basic education.”
Mandate
The mandate of NACONEK is stipulated in the sixth schedule of Basic Education Act, 2013:
i. Initiate the development, implementation and review of policies on all matters relating to education in ASAL regions, pockets of poverty areas and urban informal settlements of Kenya;
ii. Mobilize funds and other resources from various sources for the development of nomadic education in order to support relevant activities of the Council;
iii. Institutionalize mechanisms for effective coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of the activities of agencies involved in the provision of education in ASAL regions, pockets of poverty areas, and urban informal settlements of Kenya;
iv. Implement guidelines and ensure geographical spread of education activities and targets for ASAL regions, pockets of poverty areas, and urban informal settlements of Kenya;
v. Establish appropriate linkages and partnerships with other participating departments and agencies;
vi. Determine standards and skills to be attained in schools and institutions of learning within ASAL regions, pockets of poverty areas, and urban informal settlements of Kenya and review such standards from time to time; and
vii. prepare reliable statistics of nomads and their school-aged children and establish a data bank; and
viii. coordinate research activities on nomadic education in Kenya.
Vision
A well–educated population in marginalized areas proactively engaged in the transformation of Kenya.
Mission
To promote access to equitable, inclusive, quality, and relevant education to learners in marginalized areas of Kenya.
Core Values
• Respect for the right of the child
• Integrity
• Transparency and accountability
• Respect of diversity
• Gender equity
• Continual learning