Former Machakos First Lady Lillian Ng’ang’a has called for a change in the education system, saying primary school children should not attend boarding schools.
In a post on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, she explained that young children should remain at home so parents can guide their growth closely.
She said primary schools should operate as day schools to allow stronger family involvement in a child’s upbringing. She believes this setup helps parents monitor and influence their children’s development. According to her, the early years are very important and need close attention from home.
“Primary schools should be day schools,” Lillian Ng’ang’a said.
She explained that when children are at home during their early school years, parents are able to shape their behaviour and support them better. She added that daily interaction between parents and children helps build stronger relationships. She believes this foundation is important before children move to more independent learning environments.
“This allows parents the opportunity to influence guidance and other aspects of the child’s life as they grow,” she said.
Boarding for young learners
Lillian Ng’ang’a said she supports the idea of stopping boarding schools for primary learners completely. She explained that children under the age of 13 should stay with their parents and not be separated at an early age.
She believes this helps children feel more secure during their growth.
“I am thinking about boarding schools for primary kids. I am for the opinion that we should ban,” she said.
She further explained that boarding school should only begin at the high school level when students are more mature. She said older children are better prepared to handle independence and daily responsibilities. According to her, this transition makes more sense for personal development.
“I think a child who is below 13 should be with the parent,” she said.
Lillian Ng’ang’a added that parents should have the chance to interact with their children every day.
“The parent should be able to interact with them every day,” she said.
She also asked questions about the experiences of those who attended boarding primary schools. She said it is important to understand whether it was a positive or negative experience. She believes these conversations can help shape better education decisions in the future.
“Was it good? Was it fun? Did you like it?” she asked.
