**Kenya: Shadow of uncertainty hangs over the start of the school year**
As the start of the school year approaches, the Kenyan education landscape is shadowed by a wave of uncertainty that threatens not only the safety of children, but also their access to education. This is a direct result of the decision by the Ministry of Education to close nearly 350 boarding schools following a tragic school fire that claimed the lives of several students. This tragic event in December served as a warning of systemic failures in school safety, and raises a crucial question: how can Kenya ensure the safety of its children while preserving their fundamental right to education?
### An unequivocal government response
The Kenyan Ministry of Education, through its Chief of Staff, Julius Ogamba, has made it clear that no compromise will be tolerated when it comes to student safety. Government statements, while reassuring from a security perspective, have nonetheless left little clarity on the reopening of boarding schools. Indeed, as parents prepare to send their children to school, the absence of tangible figures raises concerns about logistics and student well-being.
### At the Crossroads: Safety and Accessibility
This dilemma between school safety and accessibility to education highlights underlying tensions within the Kenyan education system. For many parents, the struggle with the cost of transfer fees to new schools is a major concern. The president of the National Parents Association, Silas David Obuhadsa, expressed this complex reality: “Parents are already struggling to make ends meet.” When considering these considerations, it is imperative to adopt a multifaceted approach to address these challenges.
### Comparison with other countries in Africa
When comparing Kenya with other countries in East Africa, it is possible to draw relevant parallels. For example, in Uganda, after a series of school safety tragedies, the government implemented strict safety standards and funding programmes to help schools meet these standards. This not only improved safety but also prevented mass school closures.
In Kenya, however, the current approach may be backfiring. Studies on the impact of school safety on academic performance have shown that a learning environment that is insensitive to safety concerns can have catastrophic long-term consequences. Students are more likely to drop out of school, which amplifies the cycle of poverty and marginalisation..
### This is the emergency now!
It is therefore imperative that the Kenyan government does not only consider closing and reopening schools, but engages in constructive dialogue with stakeholders, including parents, educators and representatives of the Private Schools Association. This dialogue could pave the way for innovative solutions, such as the establishment of emergency funds for schools to meet safety standards.
### A vision for the future: education and risk preparedness
The recent tragedy should also prompt reflection on a proactive approach to education. Times of crisis should not only be seen as moments of pause, but as opportunities to rethink the way we educate our youth. The introduction of educational programmes focused on safety awareness could enable students to be not only consumers of knowledge, but also actors in their own safety.
### Conclusion
The upcoming school year should not only be an opportunity to resume classes, but rather an opportunity to reassess the priorities of the Kenyan education system. Child safety should not be a topic to be debated as tragedies occur, but should become a pivot around which education can reinvent itself. The time for paralysis is over, but for concerted action to ensure a future where every child can learn in a safe and stimulating environment. The educational community, civil society, and especially governments, must work together to ensure that the tragedy of the past never happens again, while honoring the right to education of every child on Kenyan soil.