Extent to Which Life Skills and Values are Embedded in the Education Systems of Four East African Jurisdictions

Sustainable Development Goal 4.7 calls for education systems to equip all learners with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to promote sustainable development, equity, and social cohesion. As global societies face rapid technological and socio-economic changes, education systems are increasingly recognizing the importance of life skills and values—such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and digital literacy—beyond traditional academic knowledge. However, embedding these competencies into curricula, teaching practices, and assessments remains a complex challenge. This scoping review analyses 32 policy documents, curriculum frameworks, teacher training materials, and assessment strategies to examine how life skills and values are integrated into the primary and secondary education systems of Kenya, Tanzania Mainland, Uganda, and Zanzibar. Through an analysis of policy documents, curriculum frameworks, teacher training materials, and assessment strategies, the study assesses both the explicit and implicit presence of these competencies. Findings reveal a strong regional commitment to life skills and values education, reflected in curricular reforms and pedagogical shifts. However, implementation is inconsistent due to limited teacher capacity, resource disparities—especially in rural areas—and challenges in culturally contextualizing values education. Moreover, assessment mechanisms often fail to capture these competencies effectively. Three integration approaches are identified: across-subject embedding, standalone subjects, and extracurricular activities. The ALiVE program, under the Regional Education Learning Initiative, represents a collaborative effort to systematically embed these competencies in East African education systems. This review provides a crucial baseline for future monitoring and offers insights for policymakers, educators, and development partners seeking to strengthen life skills and values education in diverse and evolving contexts.