UK to pay Kenyan teachers in Dadaab, Kakuma Ksh.155 million

UK to pay Kenyan teachers in Dadaab, Kakuma Ksh.155 million

Teachers in Kenya who are educating children in refugee-hosting communities are set to receive Ksh.155 million from the UK Government to ensure vulnerable refugee children continue learning during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The British High Commission in Nairobi said on Tuesday the money will support salaries of 1,300 teachers in Dadaab, Kakuma, and Kalobeyi for seven months.

The UK is seeking to help at least 300,000 vulnerable refugee children in 10 African countries including Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Chad, Malawi, Mauritania, Pakistan and Yemen.

A total of 5,669 teachers in the 10 countries will benefit from the Ksh.713 million programme which will see the UK, through the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR make direct payments to the teachers for 7 months.

The aid was announced at a high-level virtual summit hosted on Monday by Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for
UNHCR also attended by Kenya’s Acting Director Primary Education, Ms. Nereah Olick.

Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, said: “COVID-19 has presented all our societies with huge challenges, and it’s vital we support those most in need. The UK is proud to help vulnerable refugees in Kenya gain an education, as we build back better after this pandemic.”

“I’m delighted that Kenya is part of this programme across 10 countries, and that Kenya was represented at this virtual summit,” she added.

On her part, Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for UNHCR noted that without urgent practical assistance, some of the children left without schooling worldwide due to the coronavirus may never set foot in a classroom again.

“For millions of children and youth, schools are a lifeline of opportunity as well as a shield. Classrooms offer protection — or at least a reprieve — from violence, exploitation and other difficult circumstances. Ensuring education for refugee children is something we can make happen, if we all come together,” she said.

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refugees Dadaab

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