"Their teacher called me to tell me to buy a big phone [smartphone] for online teaching... I do not have money to feed my family, and I am struggling to make ends meet; how can I afford a phone and internet?"-A mother in Lagos (Nigeria) This is the story of hundreds of families and, most importantly, children around in Africa, without education life has turned upside down.   

One of the most fundamental human rights for children is article 26, the right to education, but covid-19 has taken this away for 17 million children for six months or more in Kenya. However, lack of education has been a big problem around Africa for a long time, and before Covid-19, the pandemic has decreased and almost destroyed education opportunities and suitability. The number is significant, but it is not "just" an education; child pregnancy, sexual abuse, and child workers have increased because of the pandemic. The children who suffer do not get access to protection from their schools as most schools are shut down because of the pandemic without access to online courses. Most of the children without an education live poorly, as these children are at risk of not getting an education at all. Children are hurting without education, and it has to stop as it concerns the next generation's future. 

The opposing side may argue that Covid-19 can be dangerous and that you never know how bad it can affect individuals; therefore, schools in Kenya have to be shut down. As only 385 thousand in Kenya are fully vaccinated, and the population is around 52.7 million people, letting children back at school can increase covid-19 in Kenya.  However, studies from Aspirus Doctors Clinic in Wisconsin Rapids has shown that transmission in schools is low, as well as education is a human right, this would be another case if there were an opportunity for an online school, but children are suffering; a pandemic is not children's fault. 

Online courses and online school have been an opportunity for almost all kids around the world. However, it has not been a priority or opportunity for most kids in Kenya. These kids have been forced to do chores instead of studying and participating in online school; wifi, devices, and data cost money, which many families can not provide. This is the case for 17 million children in Kenya. Ekeno, a 16-year-old boy who went to school before the pandemic, is one of these 17 million children.  Ekeno tells about his experience “To his left is a small plastic container holding, not drawing equipment or pens, but what looks like his latest tools of the trade: a sharp knife, a hammer, spare leather, and thread.” Ekeno is not prioritizing school because he does not want to but because he has to work for his mom as she is trying to feed Ekeno and his siblings.

There are challenging times for all genders in Kenya without in-person school, but the most significant risk falls on those who identify as girls. These girls are at risk for so many human rights violations. “With the lockdown, all family members are staying in the house from morning to evening. I have had some of the girls call to inform me that they are harassed by their fathers or uncles.”-Primary school teacher Nairobi, Kenya, as child abuse, sexual abuse, child marriage, and child pregnancy have increased. As human rights violations have been a problem in Africa for a long time, shutting down schools has pushed children over the edge as education is not an opportunity anymore.

"She got in touch with her science teacher. "He said he would not be able to go to anyone's home, but they could come to his house. As girls, we feared going to his house, but I hear the boys have been going."-Taisha S., 16, in Kenya. This is one of many thoughts young girls have to think of before considering their education. This is not the only problem; boys tend to prioritize school devices if a family is short on equipment. Chores from family are also a problem; girls tend to take more responsibility for their siblings, which keeps them occupied from the children's education they should study and participate in. 

Electricity is also a big issue; 17.99 million people in Kenya are without power. This has affected school online as some children do not even have a lamp after the dark. Wifi and data for mobile and other electrical devices are also expensive. Most families do not have enough money to pay for data and wifi, as 1.7 million adults have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. As many people have lost their jobs, most parents choose between food in the children's stomachs or devices for school. 

This pandemic has cost a lot for everyone; children in Kenya are losing their human rights. An inalienable right, the freedom of breaks, socializing, and making friends, is not one education; it is a life. Without education, children in Kenya are not losing a year or two of their learning and studies, but most of them are at risk of losing their childhood.  For children in Kenya, not having an education is more dangerous than getting covid-19.