The UNICEF Child Friendly Schools Model in Kenya and Uganda: An Assessment of the Successes and Challenges of the Model.

Abstract

Developed by UNICEF, the Child Friendly School (CFS) model is a rights-based approach to ensuring all children have access to basic, quality education across the world. The model is comprised of five components including, universal education; academically effective and relevant; health, safety and protection; gender-responsivity; and community support and involvement. Promoted by UNICEF, this model has become the preferred solution to children’s’ educational needs across the world today. Therefore, an extensive array of policy documents, reports and government documents created in conjunction with UNICEF have emerged. Furthermore, there is an increasing amount of academic research and literature available focused on the CFS model throughout Africa. Finally, Aidlink has extensive access to first-hand information through its partner organisations in Kenya and Uganda. This report cross-examines the UNICEF rhetoric, the academic literature and Aidlink’s partner organisations’ experiences in order to compare the successes and the challenges that each of the three groups face in implementing each of the components of the CFS model. The results suggest that although progress in each of the components has occurred, significant challenges still remain although these are not homogenous across countries or the three groups’ perspectives