Mary Njoroge

Ms. Njoroge began her career as a secondary school teacher and later worked as child psychologist. After 5 years in the schools, Ms. Njoroge was appointed to the primary education division of the Kenyan Ministry of Education in 1980, and subsequently served as the National Coordinator for Early Childhood Development and the Director of Basic Education, retiring in 2006 after 26 years at the Ministry of Education.

As Director of Basic Education, Ms. Njoroge played a critical role in the development of the Kenya Education Sector Support Program (2005–2010), the bedrock of which is basic education. The highlight of Ms. Njoroge’s career was overseeing the Abolition of School Fees Initiative in 2003. Kenya abolished all school fees, and more than a million additional children came to school the next day. Now, nearly 2 million additional children have come into the primary school system, gender disparities have all but disappeared, and Kenya is widely heralded as an example of what is possible with universal free primary education. Ms. Njoroge’s Free Primary Education program continues to be both nationally and internationally acclaimed for its best practices in basic education expansion, and she has subsequently been awarded the Moran of the Burning Spear, one of Kenya’s greatest honors, bestowed by the president to outstanding citizens.

In the course of her long public service career, Ms. Njoroge has established extensive networks and created critical partnerships with donor agencies and civil society organizations in education and development. Ms. Njoroge has traveled extensively internationally for conferences, workshops, high-level meetings, and advocacy opportunities. Ms. Njoroge’s continued focus is on advancing sustainable development through national programs with carefully planned, collaborative efforts by government and development partners. Ms. Njoroge believes that all Kenyans have a right to opportunities and that targeting disadvantaged and marginalized communities is instrumental to poverty elimination, equality, and basic human rights. Ms. Njoroge believes that education has the potential to transform human capacity and build national pride and consciousness.

Ms. Njoroge is currently retired from the Ministry of Education and serves as an educational consultant. She is the proud mother of four grown young men.

Education and Professional Certifications

Ms. Njoroge received an M.A. in Child Development and Early Childhood Education and a Diploma in Education from the University of London, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Nairobi, and a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from the University of Leeds. In addition, Ms. Njoroge has obtained certificates in Applied Market and Social Research (2007), Education Management (2004), Best Practice in Public Service Delivery (2005), Computer Skills (1998), Procurement – World Bank (1997), and Interpersonal Skills for Senior Women Managers in Public Service (1993).

Research and Consultancies

Ms. Njoroge has gained considerable experience in evaluation and impact assessment of education programs. She has written and presented papers in local and international forums on a variety of topics in basic education, contributed key chapters on early childhood education to publications, and served as a consultant on development programs, including to the United Nations’ World Food Program.

Boards and Committees

Ms. Njoroge has served as a member of the national steering committee for the Kenya Education Sector Support Program, as a board member for the National Council for Children Services, the Kenya Literature Management Board, and the Kenya Institute of Special Education Management Board, and as the chairperson of the Education Sector Emergency Education Committee, affiliated with the Kenya Food Security Group.