Forum on Flexible Education. Reaching Nomadic Populations in Africa. Summary Report

This report describes the Forum on Flexible Education: Reaching Nomadic Populations in Africa, which was held in Garissa, Kenya, from 20-23 June 2006. The objectives of the Forum were to share experiences and best practices, create linkages and encourage collaboration in order to make education more accessible to nomadic communities. Representatives from the Kenyan MOE, COL, ComSec and UNICEF provided remarks at the Opening Session of the Forum. They stressed the need to find ways to include nomadic children in the education process and the importance of developing alternative channels for the delivery of education and training. There were two keynote addresses. The first, from Professor Gidado Tahir, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission in Nigeria--presented by his colleague, Dr Salihu Bakari--focused on the realities of the nomadic lifestyle and educational strategies that have been effective. The second, by Dr. Nafisa Muhammad and Professor M. I. Junaid from the Nigerian National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), provided an overview of innovative interventions in nomadic education in that country over the past decade. The Forum covered issues related to the following topics: (1) Ensuring basic education for all; (2) Access to education and training for girls and women; (3) Teacher/facilitator training; (4) Skills training; and (5) Government policy. The Forum concluded with nine Recommendations for Action for improving access to education for nomadic groups. Appendices include: (1) Keynote Address: Nomadic Life and the Implication for Education Provision; (2) Forum on Flexible Education: Reaching Nomadic Populations in Africa. Background Paper; (3) List of Participants; and (4) Forum Agenda.

an: ED503333; source: Commonwealth of Learning; docTypes: Reports - Descriptive; pubTypes: Report;