This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
On September 23, 2019, a one-storey classroom block collapsed at Precious Talents Top School in Nairobi's Dagoretti South, killing eight pupils.
The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that children face in Kenyan schools, where they are often left to learn in overcrowded classrooms and understaffed institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has announced an inquiry into the matter, but it remains to be seen whether anyone will be held accountable for the tragedy.
As the country mourns the loss of the eight pupils, it is essential to have a sustained conversation about the state of Kenyan schools and the need for reforms to ensure that children are safe and can learn in a conducive environment.
It is unacceptable that, in 2019, children are dying painfully when classrooms collapse on them, and we move on to the next matter as if nothing happened.
It is time to talk about the safety of our schools, the lack of public schools in some constituencies, and the need for the Ministry of Education to take action to address these issues.
Two years ago, 10 girls lost their lives in a fire at Moi Girls School in Kibra Constituency, Nairobi, and their parents are still seeking justice.
Let us not normalise death in schools. It is not okay for children to have their worst life experiences in school.
Ms Chege is the director of the Innovation Centre at Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications.
