By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, June 23, 2026 - Kenya is taking significant steps toward recognizing and integrating qualified refugee teachers into the national education system as part of efforts to improve access to quality education for both refugee and host communities.
According to Save the Children Kenya, the initiative is being advanced through the TeachWell Voices Project, which has brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), County Education Boards, UNHCR Kenya, and other education partners, to develop practical solutions for refugee teacher inclusion.
The project has facilitated policy discussions that are now translating into concrete reforms aimed at strengthening education delivery in refugee-hosting regions.
Among the measures under consideration are the recognition and validation of refugee teachers' qualifications, skills assessment, micro-credentialing programmes, and the registration of refugee schools. The reforms are expected to enable qualified refugee teachers to contribute their expertise while helping address teacher shortages in underserved areas.
Save the Children noted that recognizing refugee teachers could improve children's access to quality education, strengthen community resilience, and enhance the overall effectiveness of Kenya's education system.
The organisation said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient education sector that serves all learners regardless of their background.
Meanwhile, Save the Children and its partners are set to host a webinar focusing on teacher well-being in refugee and host community schools. The virtual event will discuss findings from a Teacher Well-Being Study conducted in Garissa and Turkana counties.
More from Kenya
The study examined the challenges facing teachers working in displacement settings and explored measures needed to support their mental health, resilience, and professional effectiveness.
The webinar, themed "Until Everyone Is Safe: Advancing Teacher Well-being in Refugee and Host Community Schools in Kenya," will bring together education stakeholders, humanitarian agencies, and policymakers to review the findings and identify actions to better support teachers serving vulnerable communities.
Save the Children emphasized that teachers play a critical role in the recovery and development of children affected by displacement, providing not only education but also stability, safety, hope, and psychosocial support.
The TeachWell Voices Project is supported by partners including UNHCR Kenya, The LEGO Foundation, county governments, and education sector stakeholders working to expand access to quality education for refugee and host community learners across Kenya.