Right to Education and Skills for Marginalised Communities

KAI Supports the Right to Education and Skills for Marginalised Communities

The Kenya Association of Intellects (KAI) believes that education and skills training are the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, inequality, and exclusion. For marginalised communities, access to education is not just a right—it is the key to empowerment, dignity, and economic opportunity.

The Right to Education in Law

• Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010: Every person has the right to education.
• Article 53: Every child has the right to free and compulsory basic education.
• Article 56: The State is required to implement affirmative action programs to ensure minority and marginalised groups have access to education and economic opportunities.
• Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Calls for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Barriers Faced by Marginalised Communities

Despite these guarantees, many children, youth, and adults in marginalised groups still face:

• Lack of access to quality schools and training centres.
• Poverty, which forces children out of school to work.
• Discrimination, especially against girls, persons with disabilities, and minority communities.
• Limited opportunities for skills development and vocational training.
• Inadequate government investment in rural and marginalised areas.

KAI’s Commitment

KAI is dedicated to ensuring that education and skills development reach every community, especially those who are most left behind. Our focus includes:

1. Advocacy for Equal Access – pushing government and stakeholders to uphold the constitutional right to education for all.
2. Skills for Empowerment – promoting vocational training, technical skills, and digital literacy for youth in marginalised areas.
3. Protection of Children’s Rights – standing against child labour, discrimination, and corporal punishment in schools.
4. Community Participation – working with parents, guardians, and communities to support inclusive education.
5. Partnerships – collaborating with schools, training institutions, civil society, and international partners to expand opportunities.

Conclusion

Education is not just about reading and writing—it is about opportunity, empowerment, and justice. Skills training equips young people and communities to thrive in a fast-changing economy.

The Kenya Association of Intellects (KAI) stands firm in defending the right to education and skills for all, ensuring that marginalised communities are not left behind in Kenya’s development journey.

When education is denied, opportunity is stolen. When skills are withheld, futures are lost. KAI fights to protect both.