Schools Introduce Conflict Resolution Lessons for Nairobi Learners

In a push to foster peaceful and cohesive school communities, several Nairobi schools are integrating formal conflict-resolution education into their curricula. The initiative is being spearheaded by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), which is reintroducing Amani Clubs in schools across the capital. These student-led peace clubs provide structured opportunities for learners to explore non-violent ways of managing disagreements and building mutual respect.
The conflict-resolution lessons take different forms depending on the school. Some institutions work closely with NGOs like the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR), which runs peace-education programmes in Nairobi’s informal settlement schools. Through their peace clubs, students learn to identify sources of tension in their communities, practise mediation, and use dialogue to build bridges over divides. The syllabus emphasises skills such as negotiation, empathy, and community-building.
Education stakeholders say the conflict-resolution lessons respond to real challenges. Nairobi schools report that peer disputes, ethnic tensions, and pressure from broader social unrest can spill into the classroom. By giving students tools to manage conflict constructively, the clubs help reduce violence, strengthen relationships, and create safer learning environments. NCIC Commissioner Philip Okundi emphasized that Amani Clubs are not just for schools, but a way to cultivate responsible citizens who know how to resolve differences without resorting to aggression.
Looking ahead, the NCIC aims to scale the Amani Club model across more public and private schools in Nairobi, with plans to incorporate the peace-education clubs into the national school calendar. Meanwhile, SCCRR hopes to deepen its reach in urban settlements by expanding the number of peace clubs, training more teachers, and creating peer-led conflict-mitigation initiatives. If successful, these efforts could redefine how Nairobi schools teach social cohesion — turning conflict into a learning opportunity rather than a source of disruption.