Family Life Education in Kenya

Abstract

This chapter focuses on family life education (FLE) in the Kenyan society. Family life education refers to an educational effort focused on healthy functioning of the family from a family systems perspective. Though there is no legal or legislative framework for FLE in Kenya, there are fragments of legislation that address various issues that affect family functioning and sustainability. This chapter discusses, among other issues, informal education in traditional Kenyan society that had some semblance to FLE. Further, contemporary FLE takes place both formally and informally. Formal FLE takes place in education contexts and institutions at various levels using a government sectioned structured curriculum. Informally, FLE takes place in community settings; within homes, churches, and in community forums at village, county and national levels. Since existing policies in Kenya on family functioning and sustainability target specific issues, many entities, including non-governmental and community-based organizations, governmental and privately owned institutions as well as the mass media, recognize the need and teach various aspects of FLE. This approach in teaching FLE in Kenya is fragmented at best and has prevented the establishment of a well-structured approach to FLE programmes. Consequently, a concerted effort is needed in the development, implementation and evaluation of FLE programmes in Kenya that target differed aspects of family functioning as addressed by the ten content areas of FLE outlined by NCFR.