Kenya’s government introduced free primary education in 2002 and free secondary education in 2008.  However, in 2009 the Ministry of Education released a report which indicated that only 21% of visually impaired children are attending schools. Children with visual impairments remain excluded due to a number of challenges, including the high cost of sending a child with visual impairments to school; stigma by their parents and society; perceived challenges traveling to and from school; and lack of assistive devices to allow them to participate fully in their classes.

The Kenya Union of the Blind envisions a society in which all children with visual impairments have equal access to education and are provided with the tools that allow them to participate fully at school and at home.  The Kenya Union of the Blind: 

1. Empowers children with visual impairments with social, independence, education and self-advocacy skills.  This includes providing:
   • Educational and social support materials, such as white canes.
   • Training and mentoring on self-esteem, self-advocacy and life skills.
   • Instruction on the use of computers and assistive technology.
   • Technical materials and training to primary and secondary schools to promote quality education, such as Braille machines and learning materials in Braille or large print.
2. Influences government and child support service providers to ensure that children with visual impairments are included in their education and social protection policies.  This includes:
   • Lobbying the government for national policies that promote access to quality education for  children with visual impairments. 
   • Influencing child support organizations to make provisions for children with visual impairments in their program policies.
   • Participating in education and social protection decision-making organizations, both at the community and national levels.
3. Works with government and child support service providers to ensure children with visual impairments are provided with quality education and social support programs.  This includes:
   • Training and supporting local KUB branches to promote the rights of children with visual impairments at the community level.
   • Working with child support service organizations to identify and refer children with visual impairments to services.

For Case Studies relating to the Education and Social Protection of Children, select this link

For more information on the Enrollment of Visually Impaired Children in Schools, select this link

To learn more about the Blind Child Trust Fund, select this link