Nearly half a million students have yet to return to school weeks after institutions reopened for Term Two, reports Save the Children charity organization.
Approximately 497,783 learners remain absent, either staying at home or in temporary shelters, unable to resume their studies. Joint assessments by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Save the Children, and UNICEF indicate significant damage, with over 3,781 classrooms and 18,615 toilets affected by flooding.
The situation has led to a rise in waterborne diseases, particularly among children aged one to ten years, accounting for 49% of reported cases.
Faecal matter contamination in classrooms, playgrounds, and homes is cited as a contributing factor. Moreover, heavy rainfall has adversely affected children’s mental health, with some experiencing difficulties sleeping well.
“Children are scared and they start crying whenever it starts raining. The teachers tell me that even in school, they get scared when it starts raining and they won’t calm down until the rains stop,” said Jackson a parent in Nairobi`s informal settlement.
Families affected by flooding and currently residing in temporary shelters are encountering various protection concerns, including Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), loss of walking aids and wheelchairs for children with disabilities, lack of access to clean water for cooking and drinking, and psychosocial stress and trauma.
Save the Children is urging the government to assist relevant line ministries in conducting rapid assessments to guide recovery efforts. This includes repairing damaged classrooms, dormitories, and toilets, establishing alternative learning spaces, and organizing health and hygiene sessions within schools and communities.
“We call on the government to allow for the unconditional enrollment of displaced children to nearby accessible schools. Further, we are urging urgent public health measures to reduce risks of waterborne diseases in schools whose sanitation facilities are damaged.
All children have a right to a quality, safe, and inclusive education,” said Mohamed Abdiladif, Interim Country Director, Save the Children Kenya & Madagascar
