A retired primary school teacher has called for the introduction and strengthening of homeschooling in Kenya, citing rising cases of child defilement, kidnapping, and moral decay in society.
Zachary Obure, a veteran educator, church elder, and chairman of the Abagusii Council of Elders in Kenyenya Sub-county, argues that homeschooling could provide a safer and more controlled environment for children during their formative years. He proposes that children should remain under home-based learning unless specialized educational needs require them to join public schools.
Obure’s proposal comes amid growing concern among parents over the safety of children in learning institutions once regarded as secure environments. He says homeschooling would shield children from predatory adults, bullying, and harmful social influences increasingly reported in schools and surrounding communities.
According to Obure, learning at home offers both physical and emotional security, enabling children to study without fear while allowing parents to closely monitor the values and lessons imparted to them.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening family bonds, noting that many parents spend limited time with their children due to long school hours. Homeschooling, he said, would restore parents as the primary mentors responsible for shaping their children’s academic, moral, and cultural development.
Beyond safety and parental involvement, Obure highlighted the flexibility of homeschooling, saying it allows children to learn at their own pace. Unlike overcrowded classrooms where teachers struggle to cater to individual needs, home-based learning can be tailored to suit each child’s strengths and challenges.
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He further argued that homeschooling helps preserve moral and cultural values by grounding children in family traditions, faith, and discipline before exposure to wider societal pressures and negative peer influence.
Obure added that home education can also incorporate practical life skills such as farming, business, and craftsmanship alongside academic subjects, making learning more relevant to everyday life.
Former Riokindo High School Principal Jeremiah Omari supported the proposal but recommended that homeschooling be conducted by trained teachers under the supervision of parents or responsible older siblings. He said such a system would ensure quality education while maintaining the protective advantages of home learning.
Omari also noted that homeschooling could help reduce road congestion caused by daily school transport and create employment opportunities for qualified but unemployed teachers awaiting placement in public service.
Primary school teacher Josephine Magara backed the idea and proposed compulsory homeschooling for teenage girls, whom she described as particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and harassment.
Magara argued that keeping teenage girls in home-based learning environments during their adolescent years would reduce their exposure to risky situations while allowing parents to closely monitor their safety and upbringing.
Despite its perceived benefits, homeschooling presents challenges, including the need for discipline, parental commitment, and access to qualified tutors and learning resources. Critics also point to concerns over socialization, which supporters say can be addressed through church activities, sports, and community engagement.
Still, supporters of the initiative insist that homeschooling deserves serious consideration as families seek safer and more stable learning environments for children in a rapidly changing society.
By Enock Okong’o
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