Do not close boarding schools, state told

Education stakeholders are raising the alarm over the state of the country’s schools, claiming the government is ignoring repeated reports that highlight critical gaps in the system.

They argue that the closure of boarding schools is a reactive measure and fault the state for failing to act promptly or provide alternative solutions.

Despite numerous studies documenting unsafe facilities, inadequate infrastructure, and poor health and nutrition standards, experts argue that the government has failed to take decisive action.

According to the 2021 report by the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK) and the Usawa Agenda report from April 2024, the challenges facing schools are overwhelming. These include a lack of resources, overcrowded classrooms, and unsafe environments.

Lucy Njeri, Chief Principal of Loreto Kiambu Girls, faulted the government for not increasing school funding.

“The reports reflect what is happening on the ground. They highlight the need for funding on a needs basis where facilities are lacking. The funds allocated for infrastructure are insufficient, especially for newly established schools,” she said.

Schools like Olympic Primary, Mwiki Primary in Nairobi, and Kakamega Primary are among those struggling with overcrowded classrooms, exposing the shortage of resources.

Schools shortage

Parents, such as Mary Wanjiku from Ngando, Dagoreti, have voiced frustration over the shortage of public schools, which has led to a rise in private schools in urban areas to meet the demand.

“Parents in towns have had to contend with too few public schools, with some opting for private institutions,” Wanjiku explained.

She further noted that this situation often results in poor service delivery.

“Lenana Primary School was established following a tragedy at Talent Academy that claimed many lives. The government failed to act promptly to manage such disasters,” she added, a sentiment echoed by James Owuor, another parent in Nairobi.

“The government cracked down on school safety standards after the Hillside Academy tragedy. This directive will not address the underlying challenges in schools,” said Owuor. The issues of overcrowded schools and limited resources are also felt by parents.

Silas Obuhatsa, chairman of the National Parents Association, noted that the lack of adequate facilities in public schools forces many parents to seek private education.

“The student population in public schools is very high, which compromises the quality of education. This has led many parents to enroll their children in nearby private schools,” Obuhatsa said.

He reiterated that urban areas are struggling with a lack of proper facilities in public schools, forcing parents to turn to private institutions.

“Most of the boarding facilities earmarked for closure are in private schools, which means we lack sufficient public facilities for parents to choose from,” he added.