Slums children locked out of free primary education
Pro-poor policies which enable slum dwellers to educate their children and access better jobs could effectively improve food security and better nutrition. Photo/DENISH OCHIENG
What you need to know:
The report, dubbed Coping Strategies among Urban Poor: Evidence from Nairobi-Kenya, calls for a re-definition of the free primary education policy and establishing enough public schools for slum children.
Slum children are yet to benefit from the government-funded free primary education programme due to lack of schools.
Three researchers say that the children’s woes are further compounded by poverty, which denies them enough rations of balanced diets making them susceptible to diseases and stunted growth.
The report, dubbed Coping Strategies among Urban Poor: Evidence from Nairobi-Kenya, calls for a re-definition of the free primary education policy and establishing enough public schools for slum children.
In the study, Steven Buigut from the American University in Dubai, Djesika Amendah and Shukri Mohamed of the African Population Health Research Centre say there is urgent need for the government to formulate policies that reduce the cost of food and scrapping taxes on the most consumed products.
In Kenya, the researchers observe, this can be effectively done by the government’s use of its strength in both the Sanate and National Assembly to pass ‘‘slum-friendly’’ laws which will see water piped to slums and construction of new schools.
“This is the best way to fight crime and also enhance productivity with a long term positive effect on the economy being felt as educated children will become better parents, unlike the current situation where a vicious cycle ensures the transition from childhood to adulthood begets deeper poverty and hardcore criminals,” the study says.
Pro-poor policies which enable slum dwellers to educate their children and access better jobs could effectively improve food security and better nutrition, says the study published on PLOS ONE website.
“About half the children in Korogocho and Viwandani do not benefit from the free primary education implemented in Kenya since 2003 as the ‘‘poorest of the poor’’ actually attend private schools for the poor where they pay fees,” says the study.
It found that many families spent a whole day without eating due to lack of food, purchase household goods on credit and even take loans to buy food and other essentials. Many children stay home for lack of school fees thereby creating an opportunity for them to beg for food and cash, says study.
