In 2023, JRS Kenya took over the management of seven secondary schools in Kakuma refugee camp. These schools host more than 15,000 learners, but some secondary schools in Kakuma have as few as 26-27% of girls enrolled, and most youth in the camp continue to be out of school.

The report, “Breaking Down Barriers: Increasing Girls’ Access to and Completion of Secondary Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp,”  allows us to understand the key barriers to access and completion of secondary education, especially for girls, across the seven secondary schools in Kakuma run by JRS where we work as the UNHCR implementing partner for secondary education.

According to JRS International Director, Br Michael Schöpf SJ, in his introduction to the report: “Only by knowing in detail these barriers and their impact on students’ lives are we able to tackle them effectively.”

JRS is proud to establish its third gender-responsive education (GRE) pilot site in Kakuma refugee camp. The Empowering African Girls to Learn and Excel in School in Kakuma (EAGLES_K) project will enable JRS to boost secondary school enrolment rates for girls and improve learning outcomes, safety, and wellbeing for all secondary school youth in the camp. Over $1 million has already been secured for this project in Kakuma and JRS aims to raise additional funds.