Renthia Kaimbi
The ministry of gender equality and child welfare (MGECW) has reintegrated 472 children into formal education as part of efforts to address the plight of street kids.
About 425 of them have remained in school, reflecting a 90% retention rate.
Control social worker Enjouline Kole and the children’s home superintendent Maggy Katimba speaking at the after-school centre, said the programme goes beyond enrolment.
They described it as a “continuum of support” designed to help children not only return to school but succeed long-term.
Children receive bridging classes to close learning gaps and are given uniforms and stationery.
“This ensures the child does not feel left out and [can] concentrate on their education rather than what they may not have,” the ministry stated.
Many children are placed in boarding schools away from their former street environments. The ministry covers transport, hostel fees, and related costs.
The programme also provides four daily meals at boarding schools to improve concentration and encourage attendance.
Families are supported to reduce the risk of children being withdrawn from school.
“Parents are linked to skills training such as baking, soap making, and gardening, among others, or alternatively referred for income-generating activities for small business support,” the ministry said.
The aim is to ensure “there is food to eat at home during exit weekends and school holidays” and to empower families to eventually take over the educational needs of their children.
Kole said psychosocial needs are addressed through counselling, trauma support, and mentorship.
Social workers and trained mentors provide consistent guidance, and children attend holiday psycho-social camps where they learn about resilience, conflict management, self-esteem, bullying, child online protection, and sexual and reproductive health.
Kole said retention challenges remain, with officials pointing to “family engagement, substance abuse and attitudes of educators and hostel staff.”
“Some families have undermined progress by sending children to beg or involving them in drug sales,” she added.
Despite these obstacles, a monitoring system with individual tracking by child care officers and early warning mechanisms for absenteeism has helped maintain high retention.
The ministry said support continues beyond basic education.
Children who struggle academically are guided into vocational training, while high achievers are linked to tertiary education bursaries.
Officials at the ministry stressed that the goal is to ensure reintegrated children eventually break the cycle of poverty.
