Lilian Ng’ang’a stirred online conversation after questioning Kenya’s long tradition of sending young children to boarding schools.
In her post on Instagram, she stated children under the age of 13 should be with parents and growing within their parents’ environment, adding early separation from family contributes to emotional disconnection and a long- term mental health issues.
Ng’ang’a revealed that circumstances once forced her to enroll her firstborn in boarding school after losing her husband and relocating abroad. She later regretted this decision, admitting to the emotional gap her child and herself.
She reflected her own experience, where Catholics Sister were present and involved, yet she missed the emotional connection with own parents.
Her advocacy ties into her earlier call for school safety reforms, including installing CCTV cameras in classrooms and buses to give parents and assurance about their children’s daily environment. According to her, the issue is not just about academics but it’s about the safeguarding of the child.
Her remarks have gained lot of reactions from social media users, arguing that boarding schools rob children of parental presence during formative years , while critics defend the system as necessity for working parents, rural families and those seeking discipline and independence for their children.
