Kenyan Government Orders Closure Of Boarding Sections In 348 Primary Schools

   By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

The Kenyan government has issued a directive to shut down boarding facilities in 348 primary schools across the country, leaving parents and students grappling with uncertainty as the new academic year approaches.

The move is part of the government’s effort to promote day schooling and better allocate resources within the education sector.

The directive will particularly impact Nairobi County, which has the highest number of affected schools at 49.

Notable institutions such as Visa Oshwal, Thika Road Primary, and Jonathan Gloag are among those required to eliminate their boarding sections.

In a statement released yesterday evening Education Principal Secretary Kipsang Belio, emphasised that day schooling offers children a more inclusive and cost-effective education system.

He stated, “This initiative is meant to strengthen family ties and ensure students benefit from a more community-based upbringing while allowing for more equitable use of government resources.”

However, parents and educators have expressed mixed reactions. Some parents are concerned about the sudden nature of the directive, which has left them scrambling to make alternative arrangements for their children. Others have lauded the move, arguing that it will reduce the financial burden on families.

Educational experts believe the policy could positively impact academic performance, as day schools encourage stronger parental involvement in children’s education.

However, others argue that schools, particularly in rural and underserved areas, may struggle to accommodate the influx of day scholars without sufficient infrastructure.

The government has assured stakeholders that transitional support will be provided to both schools and parents. Nonetheless, as schools prepare to implement the changes in January, the effectiveness of the policy remains to be seen.