This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
On May 18, 2020, a study by Usawa Agenda highlighted the challenges faced by students in Kenya due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that only 22% of students interviewed in 42 counties were accessing online learning resources.
Those enrolled in private schools were twice as likely to participate in digital learning compared to their counterparts in public schools. The research showed that on average, 22 out of 100 children were accessing online learning in Kenya. Less than 10% of learners in public schools were accessing digital learning materials.
The survey also revealed that two out of ten parents were not aware that their children were expected to continue learning from home. The study was conducted in April, with 3,700 household heads in 255 villages in the identified counties being interviewed. Additionally, 263 school heads association officials in 211 sub-counties were also interviewed.
According to the report, nine out of ten school heads officials estimated that less than 30% of their schools had measures in place to reach children with learning materials. Six out of ten School Heads Association officials estimated that less than 10% of public schools had measures in place to reach children with learning materials.
As a response to the pandemic, the government has formed a nine-member COVID-19 response committee to advise the Ministry of Education on modalities of reopening schools. The committee, chaired by Dr. Sara Ruto, is expected to advise on reviewing and reorganizing the school calendar as part of the post-COVID-19 recovery strategy.
