This is a summary of the report written by Veronica Lemuya about how students are coping with school closures and online learning. (Be sure to watch the video below to get a window into what it is like for students to keep up with their studies in Kenya.) 

When the pandemic emerged in March, many learning institutions in Kenya decided to close schools, colleges and universities under the direction from the Ministry of Education, the Education Task Force and the Kenya National Union for Teachers.  Policymakers are facing the same issues in Kenya as other countries around the world as they weigh the options between closing schools (reducing contact and saving lives) and keeping them open (allowing workers to work and maintaining the economy).  Students have been out of school since March, and this disruption has taken its toll on so many students and families in Kenya. Beginning in October, the Kenyan government opted to introduce online schooling for the second term for 4th year students (12th grade) and students in their last year of college.

Online schooling has been a significant shock to parents’ productivity and to children's social life and learning.

Students and their families are facing many challenges through online learning:   

• There is a lack of electricity and power in homes as not all students live in permanent houses with proper power supplies.
• Some students don’t have smartphones/laptops/tablets to access online classes.
• There are regular connectivity problems, and there is limited access to reliable networks.
• One of our students cited a scenario where she was given an assignment to print. She came to the Children of the Kingdom office to print the assignment, and then she had to complete it and send it to the lecturer through the mail.  Systems such as this are inefficient and time-consuming. 
• There is a lack of space for learning at home.
• Student assessments are also moving online which involve much trial and error and generate uncertainty for everyone. Many assessments have simply been cancelled. 

Importantly, these interruptions in learning will not just be a short-term issue, but they will also have long-term consequences for the affected cohorts and are likely to increase inequality. Furthermore, plans for the re-opening of schools are still not in place because many schools have not yet complied with COVID–19 health and safety regulations.