The role of education in fostering peace, solidarity and prosperity in Kenya

Abstract

Over the years, there has been an emphasis on the importance of education in improving the standard of living in the country. The effect of this is that Kenyans are more aware of the importance attached to education and how it has created an enabling environment for them to get engaged in activities that are geared towards nation building. Education should create a conducive environment to meeting the emotional, social, and intellectual needs of diverse groups of individuals interested in empowering themselves. The emphasis on education and peace is based on the fact that peace and education are inseparable aspects of civilization. No civilization is truly progressive without education and no education system is truly civilizing unless it is based on the universal principles of peace. Education should enhance the acquisition of the values, the knowledge and developing the attitudes, skills, and behaviors to live in harmony with oneself and with others. There is thus no shortage of enough information on the importance of education in enhancing peace. The fundamental principles entailing education is that there should be desire for peace, nonviolent alternatives for managing conflict, and skills for critical analysis of structural arrangements that produce and legitimize injustice and inequality. The relationship between education and peace has represented a spectrum of focal themes, including international understanding, environmental responsibility, communication skills, non- violence, conflict resolution techniques, democracy, human rights awareness, tolerance of diversity, coexistence and gender equality. The role of the church has been to address spiritual dimensions of inner harmony, or synthesized a number of the foregoing issues into programs that touch on the moral requirements that touches on the learning process.