Over 124 private schools in Kenya are at risk of permanent closure due to severe financial challenges, threatening the education of 43,000 students who must now seek alternative learning institutions.
Precious Gift Komarock, a Nairobi-based school, has begun auctioning assets including desks, computers, and school buses to meet operational costs. This follows reports that 124 schools have notified the Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) of imminent shutdowns, urging families to secure new placements.
KPSA Chairman Peter Ndoro warned that the crisis could destabilize public schools, as 43,000 affected students may overwhelm existing capacity. "The influx will strain public schools' ability to maintain social distancing protocols," he said, citing data showing schools cannot cover rent and operational expenses by January 2021.
Banks have restricted lending to private institutions amid pandemic uncertainties, exacerbating the financial strain. Light Academy in Nairobi has shifted to online classes to sustain teacher salaries, with its headteacher explaining, "Parental fees fund staff payments, but revenue has dropped significantly."
Education Cabinet Secretary Zack Kinuthia confirmed the government was exploring emergency measures to support school staff, including those in the Basic Education Operations Module (BOM). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education canceled the 2020 academic calendar, with schools set to reopen in January 2021.
