In recent years, Kenya has faced an increasing intersection of political instability and the growing impacts of climate change, both of which have a profound effect on the country’s education system. For many Kenyan families, the combination of political unrest and environmental crises has pushed them to rethink traditional schooling options.
Kenya’s political landscape has been turbulent, with protests, government transitions, and political unrest marking much of the last decade. These tensions are felt deeply in the education sector, where strikes by teachers and civil servants are common. For example, in 2023 and some of 2024, teachers in public schools went on strike multiple times, leading to prolonged school closures. Families were left scrambling to find alternatives to keep their children learning, with some turning to private tutors or exploring homeschooling options.
Political tensions have also disrupted physical schooling due to protests and blockades in urban areas like Nairobi, where it becomes unsafe to send children to school. As Kenya navigates its political future, many parents are seeking alternative solutions, such as e-learning and homeschooling, to avoid the unpredictability of public schooling.
The recent political unrest has affected The Cole Kids Academy directly, as airport protests led to the cancellation of our long-planned travel. While we wholeheartedly support the right to protest and believe that the voices of those working tirelessly to make air travel possible must be heard, it was a valuable lesson for our students. They learned that while we enjoy the perks of travel, it shouldn’t come at the sacrifice of the men and women whose labor allows us to fly effortlessly. Their concerns are just as important as our plans, and their right to protest is imperative for a just society.
While political instability often grabs headlines, Kenya is also battling the escalating impacts of climate change. In 2024, Kenya experienced unprecedented flooding, displacing thousands of families and closing many schools, particularly in rural areas. The Cole Kids Academy was directly affected by this, as our learning environment was disrupted when half our yard was submerged under water. This required us to adapt quickly, incorporating creative indoor activities to keep the students engaged during the floods. After the water receded, the cleanup was extensive, and the flooding left its mark on many parts of our Academy and the country.
This environmental crisis not only disrupts physical schooling but also highlights the vulnerability of Kenya’s educational infrastructure. Schools are often forced to close during floods or droughts, which are becoming more frequent. For instance, schools in counties like Turkana and Garissa are regularly disrupted by extreme weather events, with many students unable to attend classes for months due to either lack of water or destructive floods.
The convergence of political unrest and climate disruption is pushing Kenyan families and academies to rethink how and where their children are educated. Rural communities, in particular, face difficult decisions as their local schools are affected by both political strikes and climate-induced disasters. For urban academies, while access to private institutions is more feasible, the uncertainty of Kenya’s political and environmental future makes long-term planning difficult.
At The Cole Kids Academy, these recent events have made us realize the importance of adaptability in education. Homeschooling provided a stable environment for our students, as we were able to continue learning even when external circumstances—whether political or environmental—were beyond our control.
As Kenya faces these ongoing challenges, there must be a collaborative effort between the government, local communities, and families to ensure a stable and resilient education system. Sustainable school infrastructure, such as flood-proof buildings and solar-powered classrooms, can offer more security in regions prone to climate extremes. Additionally, e-learning platforms and homeschooling models are becoming increasingly important as flexible solutions that can withstand both political and environmental disruptions.
Alternative education models, like community learning hubs, could also provide relief. These hubs can act as community centers that offer consistent learning environments regardless of school closures or other disruptions. Moreover, investing in homeschooling and providing resources to parents who want to educate their children at home would allow for more resilience in the face of these twin challenges.
In the face of political and climate uncertainties, Kenya must build an education system that is as resilient as its people. By exploring alternative methods of education, investing in sustainable school infrastructure, and fostering collaboration between the government and local communities, Kenya can create a future where every child has access to quality education, regardless of the challenges they face.
© 2024 The Cole Kids Academy LTD. All Rights Reserved.
Works Cited
World Bank. Education for Climate Action. World Bank, 2021, www.worldbank.org/en/topic/education/publication/education-for-climate-action. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
World Bank. Kenya: Climate Knowledge Portal. World Bank, 2024, climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/kenya. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Atsiaya, Phares. “Anxiety as Teachers’ Strike Only Hours Away.” The Standard, 18 Sept. 2024, www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/education/article/2001501602/anxiety-as-teachers-strike-only-hours-away. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
“Road to COP28: Kenya.” Climatelinks, USAID, 11 Sept. 2024, www.climatelinks.org/blog/road-cop28-kenya. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Kenya: Climate Knowledge Portal. Climatelinks, USAID, 2024, www.climatelinks.org/countries/kenya. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Mwangi, Edwin. “Pain of Children Displaced by Floods.” Nation, 27 Sept. 2024, nation.africa/kenya/health/pain-of-children-displaced-by-floods-4722820. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Sigei, Julius. “Nationwide Protests Disrupt Schooling for Thousands of Students.” Nation, 10 Sept. 2024, nation.africa/kenya/news/education/nationwide-protests-disrupt-schooling-for-thousands-of-students-4692142. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Muthiora, John. “Climate Change Imperils Our Children’s Future.” Nation, 29 Sept. 2024, nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/blogs/climate-change-imperils-our-children-future-4771896. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024