Governor Ole Lenku opposes plans to abolish boarding schools

By , December 12, 2022

Abolishing boarding schools for lower primary school learners as proposed by the ministry of education will disadvantage learners in pastoralist communities, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said on Monday, December 12.

Speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Kajiado KCB grounds, Lenku said boarding schools are a big boost to education in the region.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku joins a jig by Maa dancers at KCB grounds during Jamhuri Day celebrations on Monday, December 12, 2022. PHOTO/Christine Musa

According to the county boss, boarding schools not only impact education among learners but also help them to embrace cultural diversity and how to tolerate each other.

He argued that boarding schools have been key in securing learners from retrogressive cultures like ‘moranism’ and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), common practices that adversely affect education in the region.

Further, Lenku said the distance between learning institutions and homes is likely to expose leaders to predators who may mislead them to drop out of school.

Boarding schools, according to the county chief, give learners a safe and friendly learning environment because a lot of time is wasted commuting from home to school.

“I am a product of boarding school. The majority of our kids are in school because they are spending there otherwise they would have dropped out of being exposed to situations, especially retrogressive culture,” Lenku said.

While he agreed on the need of reviewing some issues raised regarding the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), Lenku called on the Kenya Kwanza administration to allow public participation before any step is taken on banning the boarding institutions.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang last week hinted at the State’s plan to phase out boarding schools from next year.

The PS said the move will give parents adequate time to interact and mould their children to become responsible citizens as opposed to the current situation where learners spend most of their time away from their parents. 

Kipsang emphasised that the government was keen to ensure that learners, especially in Grade One up to Grade Nine, are domiciled in day schools as part of strengthening parental engagement for quality learning.

“I urge parents that it is our primary responsibility as first educators to walk with our children. As we move forward, day schooling will be the direction because that is the only way we shall be able to engage with our children,” he Kipsang.

The PS made the remarks during the 18th edition of Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association’s annual general meeting and conference in Mombasa.

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