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Kenya’s ministry of education has fast-tracked review of school curriculum to ensure it inculcates patriotism and tolerance among the youth to prevent them from being ensnared by radical ideologies, officials said at a forum in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Cabinet Secretary for education Fred Matiangi said a revamped school curriculum is key to strengthen the war against violent extremism that has spread rapidly in the country’s marginalized regions.

“The rise of radical and violent extremism threatens our country’s stability and development. Our education system must therefore nurture young citizens who can foster peaceful co-existence at family, community and national level,” Matiangi said in a speech read on his behalf by Evangeline Njoka, the CEO of Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.

Senior policymakers, representatives of multilateral agencies, scholars and advocates attended the regional workshop on transforming education to spur sustainable development, peace and security organized by UNESCO.

The three-day forum will explore how formal education in the region can be refashioned to help address pressing challenges like poverty, conflicts and environmental degradation.

Matiangi said there is a global consensus on harnessing the power of educational institutions to counter violent extremism that has blossomed against a backdrop of poverty and marginalization.

“The culture of peace and tolerance must be nurtured among children and youth in this region through values based learning. This is an imperative as we aim to achieve a harmonious society,” said Matiangi.

Charles Mwaniki, an assistant director in the Ministry of Education, said that Kenya has developed a robust strategy to counter violent extremism that is being implemented in all institutions of learning.

“It has proved a success in some parts of the country where young adults are vulnerable to radicalization,” Mwaniki said.