Feb 04, 2021 at 11:31 am

Status of Children & Education Report

Update posted by Bernard Otieno

A study conducted in nine African countries (including Kenya) by Human Rights Watch (HRW) between April and August 2020 revealed that COVID-19 is exacerbating previous inequalities by excluding vulnerable children from receiving quality education (Human Rights Watch, 2020). As of November 11, 2020, Kenya had reported 64, 588 COVID-19 cases, with 1,154 deaths (John Hopkins University, 2020). Despite national efforts and strict measures designed to curb the spread of the virus, the country continues to suffer from the knock-on effects of the pandemic (BBC, 2020).

Of particular concern is the plight of children, as well as their inalienable and fundamental right to education. Enshrined in Article 53(1) of the Kenyan Constitution (Constitution of the Republic of Kenya, 2010), the right to education is at risk now, more than ever before. In a country with large numbers of underprivileged children, the global pandemic is severely restricting young people’s ability to access quality education, exposing them to further grave human rights violations.

Compiled by

Ben Otieno

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