Why has Kenya totally banned boarding in primary schools?

The new basic education Principal Secretary Kipsang revealed on Tuesday that parents will have to take their primary school going kids to day schools.

Kipsang made these revelations when he represented Kenya president William Ruto for the official opening of the 18^th Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA).

The net effect of the radical policy means that pupils transiting to Junior Secondary Schools will join day schools in their home areas.

According to Belios, the country’s plans to do away with boarding in primary school are at an advanced stage and will kick off early in 2023.

According to estimations reported by a local Kenyan website, at least 28 percent of learners in boarding primary schools will have to transition to day schools.

Belios notes that the reason this is being done is to ensure children grow under the proper care of their parents.

“We must create a way in which we can be with our children and the only way is through day schooling. The first nine years of learning that are Grades 1 to 9, the direction that the government is taking will be day schooling,” Kipsang said.

Kipsang further added that parents cannot delegate their responsibilities to teachers as they can only co-parent with them, but not totally abandoning responsibilities to them.

“Going forward, day schooling will be the direction, that’s the only way we shall be able to engage with our children.”

Kipsang said that parents have the primary responsibility as first educators to walk with their children and ensure that they acquire the right values they desire them to have.

The Kenyan Education PS spoke during the official opening of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association Conference in Mombasa.