Last week the government announced it will abolish boarding schools for Grades 1 to 9 from next year. Knut supported the idea. I’m conflicted.
For one, I detest boarding schools. This is, of course, based on my experience in boarding school—primary, to be specific. I thought the high school was OK. I found the boarding primary teachers, the male ones to be specific, quite cruel.
The punishment they meted out on pupils was barbaric, even after capital punishment was abolished. Don’t get me started on the food. There was never enough water—for drinking and cleaning.The homesickness was the worst.
But then, that was my experience. Maybe others had better experiences. But my kids will not step into a boarding primary school.
That said, I believe boarding schools should not be abolished. They have a place in our society. I got to meet interesting people and saw other parts of the country through their eyes.
Other than that, I believe that Kenyans have the right to decide for themselves whether they want their children educated in day schools or boarding schools.
Government should only focus on creating a good environment for education to thrive, such as putting in place good policies and providing capitation.
Speaking of capitation, could one reason for abolishing boarding schools be that the government is trying to cut on capitation budget? But no one asked them to make education free in the first place.
