Schools Merged as Floods Cause Education Crisis in Kano Plains, Kisumu County.
Though education is considered the great equalizer, giving children from all backgrounds an equal chance at success, more than 15,000 children in Kenya’s flood-prone areas find themselves struggling against the dangers of their dreams being washed away.
These students face a daily fight for their right to learn, while the government remains silent on their plight.
In May, when the Ministry of Education announced the reopening of schools, more than 60 schools were either submerged or their infrastructure destroyed by floods.
The ministry responded by directing the temporary merger of affected schools to accommodate learners whose classrooms had been damaged.
However, over three months later, students are still struggling with overcrowded classrooms, poor sanitation, and an overall sense of abandonment by the government.
The recent tragic events have reignited discussions about safety in schools.
Children Facing Harsh Conditions
UNICEF estimates that approximately 12 million children in Kenya live with the risks of climate change and natural disasters.
Despite these alarming statistics, government agencies have yet to address the concerns of these vulnerable children.
In the flood-prone Nyando constituency in Kisumu, children’s ambitions are being crushed by the devastating effects of rising water levels in Lake Victoria. The situation in Kisumu reflects a larger trend across the region.
Classroom Overcrowding and Sanitation Issues
At Thuru Comprehensive Primary School in Kisumu, Grade 8 pupils are trying to catch up on their education after losing nearly a month of school due to frequent relocations.
The students, motivated by their thirst for learning, continue to push forward despite the harsh circumstances. One student, John (not his real name), shares a classroom with 76 other pupils.
Like many others, John and his classmates were transferred to Thuru after their school, Oda Primary, was declared uninhabitable by floods.
While the Ministry of Education attempted to merge schools, the failure to provide adequate support has left many children in limbo.
According to a report by the Elora Group, 62 primary schools were rendered uninhabitable due to flooding.
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Kenyan education regulations stipulate that classrooms should accommodate a maximum of 50 students in a room measuring 7 by 8 meters, and schools are required to provide at least 5 liters of water per child.
However, Thuru Comprehensive Primary School, now housing 1,380 pupils, is struggling with limited facilities and poor sanitation, leading to frequent illnesses among students.
Impact on Health and Attendance
Overcrowded classrooms and unsanitary conditions have led to an increase in health issues among students.
Teachers report regularly sending children to hospitals due to stomach problems, coughs, flu, and diarrhea, which they attribute to the congestion and poor sanitation.
Meanwhile, food scarcity, caused by displacement and the loss of family livelihoods, forces many children to work in farms rather than attend school.
An audit by the Elora Working Group found that 277 students failed to report to school for the second term.
Lack of Support for Affected Schools
While Kenya’s government provides meals to 4.5 million students in arid and semi-arid regions under the School Feeding Program, pupils in Kisumu are not eligible for this assistance despite facing similar challenges due to intermittent flooding.
Teachers have called on the government to recognize areas like Rundu and Omaka as hardship zones and extend the feeding program to schools in these regions to ensure students can continue their education.
Ongoing Challenges
As Kenya enters another rainy season, over 1,000 students in Nyando have yet to return to school.
The psychological scars they bear run deeper than the physical damage caused by the floods.
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Some students have suggested creating boarding schools to allow them to spend more time with friends and possibly erase the traumatic memories of losing their homes.
Schools Merged as Floods Cause Education Crisis in Kano Plains, Kisumu County.
