In the recent past, the former Principal Secretary of Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang’, opened a can of worms when he had hinted the government’s plausible plan to abolish boarding schools from Grades 1-9. At some point, he went quiet about it. Then, it seems the Hillside Endarasha horrendous fire tragedy revived the debate about viability of boarding schools in Kenya.
The incumbent Cabinet Secretary of Education Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba commented that the decision to abolish boarding schools and reviewing age limits for children in boarding schools cannot be solely made by the Ministry. It requires public participation.
Again, as I sit to comment about happenings in schools, it seems the wild wave of unrest in schools has revived the debate about abolishing boarding schools. This time round, the proponents of the new-fangled idea are focusing on Secondary Schools. Or what we now term as Senior Schools in the new education dispensation.
Somewhat, some educational stakeholders think, it is wrong to have boarding schools, whether private or public. Yet, such institutions have been extant since pre-independence. Those who understand history know what led to establishment of some specific boarding schools in Kenya. Then, when boarding schools are run well in strict adherence to safety standards chances of experiencing loss of life will be zilch.
Somehow, there is another belief that abolishing boarding schools will cause parents to be close to their children. That children in boarding schools are denied the basic right to meet their parents on daily basis. Exponents of that new notion believe that abolishing boarding schools will make parents to play their part better than they have done before. Of course, one wonders, whether supporters of that idea are balancing optimism with realism.
Arguably, some of us are forgetting that we are caught up in a rat race. More so, in these times and climes. Some parents are busy bees, chasing cash with craze in order to eke out a living. Some parents are in “nomadic” jobs, where they keep hopping from town to town. Meaning, if we abolish boarding schools so that parents can have more contact hours with their children, then we are utterly wrong. My point is, at a certain reasonable age, children are safer in school with teachers, who are masters of many trades — educators, mentors, disciplinarians, et cetera.
Somehow, in the move to abolish boarding schools, we are failing to look at both sides of the coin. Yet, we should put both merits and demerits on a beam balance. As a scribe, I think, abolishing boarding schools is not a good idea. Firstly, think of the fate of girls in regions where there are retrogressive cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages. Boarding schools in such regions act as rescue centres for girls who can access boarding schools. Therefore, abolishing boarding schools will kill several dreams.
Insecurity
Secondly, think of children from arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). Such places are marginalised, with poor infrastructure and sub-standard social amenities. Insecurity is also rampant. Schools in such hinterlands cannot be compared with the ones based in some major towns. This implies that in case good schools are only located in specific regions, then it is a bad idea to abolish boarding schools that can only be accessed from far.
Thirdly, when we study the academic performance in most boarding schools, we shall ascertain that the schools that allow learners to board register peak performance. This is true because learners in boarding schools have more contact hours with the two main sources of knowledge – books and teachers. Then, the academic environment gives them ample time to concentrate on studies. Unlike their contemporaries in day schools who sometimes waste a lot of time commuting to and from school. Day scholars without self-drive, self-discipline and serious sense of responsibility waste a lot of time on anti-social behaviour and social media.
Time management
Ostensibly, media malady makes some learners in day schools to struggle in matters time management. It is also instructive to note. It is possible to expand both teaching and learning time in boarding schools because learners are in school all the time. As a scribe at home with the universal concept of differentiated learning or instruction, I know that there are individual differences in learners. There are learners who can only get it right when schools create more contact hours between teachers and learners.
Moreover, there are investors in education that own and run private schools. In order to keep afloat and make business a going concern, it behooves them to diversify. Somewhat, schools of this calibre based in major urban centres will fold in case we wend that way. Of abolishing boarding schools. Investors in the education sector may close shop and go home. Why? When they phase-out boarding section, the enrollment will nose-dive. Therefore, after the death of such schools, the government will dampen the spirit of many job creators.
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Finally, when we agitate for abolishing of boarding schools, can we also pose a little, and think about the plight of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs) who find more hope, help, peace and solace in boarding schools?
By Victor Ochieng’
The writer rolls out talks and training services. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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