Gender PS Ann Wang’ombe Calls on School Heads to Champion Safe and Inclusive Learning Environments

Mombasa, 27 June 2026* – Principal Secretary for Gender, Ann Wang’ombe, has challenged school leaders across the country to take a leading role in preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by fostering safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for every learner.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 49th Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Conference in Mombasa, the PS underscored the critical role teachers and school administrators play in safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.

The event was attended by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba, and Principal Secretary for Basic Education, John Ololtuaa, alongside hundreds of secondary school principals from across the country.

Addressing the delegates, Wang’ombe described teachers as the nation’s first line of defence against Gender-Based Violence, urging school heads to remain vigilant in identifying, preventing, and responding to cases affecting learners.

She called on principals to strengthen school-based reporting mechanisms, enhance life-skills education, and cultivate learning environments where every student feels safe, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.

The Principal Secretary emphasized that protecting learners requires a collaborative approach involving educators, parents, government institutions, and communities, noting that schools must not only impart academic knowledge but also nurture values of dignity, equality, and mutual respect.

She further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to advancing policies and programmes that protect children from all forms of violence and discrimination while promoting gender equality within educational institutions.

The 49th KESSHA Conference provided an important platform for education stakeholders to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving the quality of education, strengthening school leadership, and addressing emerging challenges affecting the sector.

Wang’ombe noted that creating safe schools is fundamental to achieving better educational outcomes, adding that every learner deserves an environment where they can thrive free from fear, violence, or discrimination.

Her remarks reinforced the Government’s ongoing efforts to integrate child protection and gender-responsive approaches into Kenya’s education system as part of building a more inclusive and equitable future for all learners.