Mary Kang’ethe, a seasoned educator and current Director of Education at the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), has built a remarkable career grounded in her passion for education and dedication to creating  policies that make a lasting impact. Growing up with a blend of rural and urban experiences, Mary attributes her access to education as a cornerstone of her journey, a privilege she now strives to extend to others through her work.

From Classroom to Policy Making

Mary’s education career started with her teaching in a secondary school. Her initial years in the classroom were defined by her love for teaching and admiration for progressive educators, particularly her mother, who was also a teacher. After five years of teaching, Mary transitioned into educational management, working with the Ministry of Education. Her role as an Inspector of Schools/Quality Assurance Officer enabled her to not only support teachers but also to motivate and inspire them to overcome challenges that she had faced herself. “Teaching is fulfilling but can be monotonous at times, and I saw firsthand how much more teachers needed support beyond the classroom.”

Her shift to policy development marked a pivotal moment in her career, where she helped design programs that empowered educators and fostered capacity-building through workshops and training sessions. This foundation set the stage for her involvement in global education discussions and initiatives.

Advancing Peace and Lifelong Learning

A significant aspect of Mary’s career is her work in peace education, which began after Kenya’s post-election violence. “We were developing and implementing peace education programs for teachers, and soon enough, our work was recognized internationally,” she recalled. This recognition propelled Kenya to lead regional discussions on peace education under the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), an experience that deeply influenced her.

Through her leadership, Kenya became a key player in cross-country peace education initiatives. Mary’s work connected her with global institutions like UNESCO, where she participated in workshops and contributed to shaping Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education. This role gave her a platform to share Kenya’s expertise in peace education and other vital areas, such as gender inclusivity, HIV awareness, and nomadic education.

Leading Educational Programs at KNATCOM

Today, as the head of (https://unesco.go.ke/about-knatcom/)KNATCOM’s Education Program, Mary continues to champion programs that promote lifelong learning, global citizenship, and ethics in education. Her work focuses on integrating aspects such as  peace education, environmental sustainability, and ICT into the national curriculum, reflecting Kenya’s commitments from global platforms such as  the Transforming Education Summit.

In her current role, Mary leads a team tasked with ensuring that Kenya meets its international obligations while collaborating with various government agencies and educational institutions. She is particularly passionate about foundational learning, ensuring that early childhood development (ECD) and primary education receive the attention they deserve, often collaborating with organizations like Dignitas to implement impactful initiatives.

A Vision for the Future

Reflecting on her career, Mary credits her success to the  freedom she had in program development and the support of supervisors who trusted her and gave space for expression of creativity. She acknowledges that while systems can sometimes be bureaucratic, having the right support can enable individuals to thrive and innovate.

As a member of Dignitas’ Technical Advisory Board, Mary brings her extensive experience in policy-making, program development, and international engagement to help shape the organization’s work in marginalized communities. She values Dignitas’ evidence-based approach and coaching models that focus on empowering educators and promoting life skills. Looking ahead, Mary envisions a greater advisory role for herself, where she can focus on technical work and mentorship.

From her early days in the classroom to influencing policy on a global scale, Mary Kang’ethe exemplifies the power of passionate and dedicated educators to shape the future, both in Kenya and beyond.

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