The education of nomadic peoples in East Africa: syntehsis report

Understanding the education of nomadic communities in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

By: Carr-Hill R, Eshete A, Sedel, C & do Souza A
Produced by: International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP), UNESCO , 2005

The overall aim of this study is to gain a clearer understanding of the isues surrounding the education of nomadic communities in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The authors hope that this study will contribute to the design of programmes that are more likely to succeed in providing nomads with access to learning opportunities.

The paper examines the main features of the nomadic groups in the six countries, which includes an analytical definition of nomadic peoples. It considers poverty issues, first examining the definition and indicators for each country, then the sources of income of the various groups, and finally the poverty alleviation strategies. The third section of the document examines the educational situation of nomadic groups, including access, participation, provision of basic education (levels and problems including quality and gender issues), adult education, information gaps and innovative and other relevant experiences.