We need standards for school construction

The government is playing catch up following the school collapse in Nairobi that killed at least seven. The Ministry of Education has moved to deregister two schools, including the one affected by the collapse. The county government of Nairobi has also dismissed officers in charge of regulating construction. But are these efforts enough? What does this experience tell us about the state of education in Kenya?

Since introduction of free primary education in 2003, the government has struggled to maintain standards in primary and secondary schools. Lack of sufficient supply of schools and teachers has meant increasing class sizes and declining learning outcomes. To address the unmet demand, private schools have mushroomed all over the country and across different income levels. Higher income households seek to escape the crumbling public education system. And for low-income households, private schools are often the only option available.