This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
Kenya: No Child Deserves to Sit On the Floor At School, That Is Barbaric ¶
Published on September 27, 2019
The collapse of a structure at Precious Talents Top School in Kenya, killing eight children and injuring 64, is a stark reminder of the country's neglect of school infrastructure and the need for collective responsibility in providing quality education.
While it is legitimate to hold planning officials, Education ministry officials, and the school's owners accountable for the tragedy, it is also essential to examine the role of teachers, parents, and the community in perpetuating the problem.
Teachers who work in substandard conditions, parents who send their children to such schools, and communities that witness the daily struggles of these institutions all share responsibility for the neglect of school infrastructure.
As Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha noted, quality assurance staff have a job to ensure that all schools are built and run to standards, and there should be no distinction between schools in low-income areas and those in other parts of the country.
The provision of clean, neat, and secure school facilities is not solely the government's responsibility. Communities, parents, and teachers can work together to build and maintain schools that provide a safe and conducive learning environment for all children.
As one teacher noted, 'A teacher who uses a defaced board to teach children sitting on the floor in a classroom with holes on the walls damages his pupils.'
By taking collective responsibility for providing quality education, Kenya can ensure that every child has a fighting chance to make something out of their lives.
