Nia Adaptation Testing Brief: Scaling a Proven Behaviour Change Program for Inclusive Education in Kenya’s ASALs

This brief presents findings from implementation testing conducted between March and August 2025 as part of the Nia Adaptation Project in Turkana and Garissa counties, Kenya. 

The project piloted adapted approaches to strengthen gender equity, socio-emotional well-being (SEW), and trauma-informed education in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) contexts through teacher training, coaching, reflection sessions, and implementation research. Results indicate improvements in inclusive classroom practices, leadership engagement, and usability of the Nia approach, with early signs of strengthened learning environments and community participation. The findings demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of integrating gender-transformative and trauma-informed approaches within existing school systems in marginalized settings.