ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the extent to which the Basic Education Improvement Project (BEIP) management structures, partnerships and participation impacted on empowerment, sustainability and social change. It reflects on the extent to which the BEIP affected social change. The chapter considers the meanings of empowerment and impact on inequalities of class, culture, gender, age and poverty. It then focuses on sustainability which examines the extent to which the BEIP challenged inequalities caused by broader environmental, socio-economic and political factors. According to Ife, the three pillars of an empowering development approach are policy and planning, social and political action, and education and consciousness-raising. The structural and rights-based approach of the BEIP, engraved these ideals through the management structures, partnerships and participation. In an attempt to strengthen partnerships, the Government of Kenya (GOK) established a management system where the donor, technocrats, political elites and civil society were allocated roles to play in the BEIP.
