Wave of Student Unrest Sparks Calls to Abolish Boarding Schools in Kenya
A growing wave of student unrest across Kenya has prompted a section of Members of Parliament to call for the gradual closure of boarding schools, arguing that the current system is increasingly failing to guarantee the safety, wellbeing, and discipline of learners. The proposal has sparked a national debate on the future of Kenya’s education system at a time when schools are grappling with one of the most troubling periods of unrest in recent years.
The lawmakers’ concerns come in the wake of several high-profile incidents that have shaken the country, including the devastating fire at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil that claimed the lives of 16 students. The tragedy exposed serious concerns about safety standards, emergency preparedness, and student welfare within boarding institutions, triggering renewed scrutiny of the boarding school model.
The debate has gained momentum following a series of unrest incidents reported in schools across the country. Lenana School was closed and learners sent home after student disturbances, while other institutions have reported fires, destruction of property, and protests by students over various grievances. Education stakeholders say the frequency and intensity of such incidents have raised alarm among parents, teachers, and policymakers alike.
Those supporting the proposal argue that many learners spend most of the year away from their families, limiting parental involvement in their daily lives and making it harder to identify emotional, psychological, or disciplinary challenges before they escalate. Some MPs believe day schools would allow parents to play a more active role in nurturing and monitoring their children while reducing pressures associated with boarding life.
Supporters of the boarding school system, however, caution against rushed decisions. They argue that boarding schools have historically played a critical role in expanding access to quality education, especially for learners from remote and marginalized areas where daily travel to school is not practical. They also note that many national schools have produced some of the country’s top professionals and leaders through the boarding model.
Education experts suggest that the recent unrest may be symptomatic of broader challenges facing schools, including mental health pressures, social media influence, academic stress, inadequate counseling services, and changing student expectations. Rather than abolishing boarding schools entirely, some experts are calling for comprehensive reforms aimed at improving student engagement, strengthening counseling programmes, enhancing safety measures, and fostering better communication between school administrations and learners.
The government has already begun responding to the crisis. Following recent incidents, education and security authorities ordered fresh inspections of boarding schools nationwide, while schools have been directed to strengthen surveillance systems, improve safety infrastructure, and comply with stricter operational standards. Authorities hope these measures will help prevent further incidents and restore confidence in learning institutions.
As Parliament prepares to debate the issue further, the proposal to phase out boarding schools is expected to generate strong reactions from educators, parents, students, and policymakers. While there is broad agreement that urgent action is needed to address rising unrest, opinions remain divided on whether abolishing boarding schools is the solution or whether reforms can rescue a system that has been a cornerstone of Kenya’s education sector for decades.
What is clear is that the recent wave of student unrest has forced the country into a difficult but necessary conversation about school safety, student welfare, and the future direction of education in Kenya.
