To Revitalize the Blue Economy, We need To Integrate Ocean literacy in Early Education
Students in a session at at Bandari Maritime Academy. (Photo/ Courtesy)
By Victoria Tuva
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
As Kenya advances its ambitions within the blue economy, it is necessary to start exposing children to basic knowledge of our marine environment at their early age.
Ocean literacy — the understanding of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean — is an important component of sustainable development, yet it remains largely absent from our national education system.
Despite our strategic position along the Indian Ocean and the increasing significance of maritime trade, fisheries, coastal tourism, and marine conservation, most young learners in Kenya receive little formal education about the ocean. For many, the ocean is viewed as a remote geographical feature rather than a vital, living system that supports our climate, economy, and food security.
That disconnect between daily life and the marine environment contributes to low levels of public awareness and, ultimately, weakens efforts to sustainably manage and protect our coastal and marine resources.
Incorporating ocean literacy into the national curriculum presents an opportunity to correct this gap and foster a generation that is both informed and empowered to participate in the stewardship of our marine environment. Such integration should not be limited to science subjects alone but should be approached in a multidisciplinary manner — encompassing geography, environmental studies, social science, and civic education.
Through age-appropriate, culturally relevant content, learners can begin to understand complex topics such as climate change, marine biodiversity, pollution, and the socio-economic value of Kenya’s ocean space.
Introducing ocean literacy aligns with Kenya’s broader educational goals under the Competency-Based Curriculum, which emphasizes real-world knowledge, critical thinking, and responsible citizenship. It also supports the country’s commitments to global initiatives, including the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goal 14, which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
By making the ocean an integral part of learning by developing curriculum content, supporting teacher training, and encouraging school and community-based programs that promote ocean awareness, we invest in a future where young Kenyans are equipped to contribute to sustainable ocean governance and innovation in the blue economy.
Kenya’s maritime future depends not only on infrastructure and policy but also on the knowledge and attitudes of its people. Integrating ocean literacy into the national curriculum is more than an educational reform; it is a long-term strategy for building a resilient, ocean-conscious society.
It is time to bring the ocean into our classrooms and ensure that every Kenyan child, regardless of where they live, understands and values our most essential natural asset — the ocean.
The ocean is our heritage, our livelihood, and our future. Let’s make sure every child knows it.
