Lillian Ng’ang’a addresses boarding schools and it sets the internet off

A lively online debate has been sparked after Kenyan public figure Lillian Nganga shared her views on boarding schools, particularly for younger children.

In a series of Instagram reels, Nganga questioned the practice of sending children below the age of 13 to boarding school. She argued that children should grow within their home environments, surrounded by family and community, rather than being separated at a formative stage.

She went on to describe boarding school as a “mzungu concept,” suggesting that it can contribute to emotional distance, loneliness, and even mental health challenges among children.

Concerns over emotional development

Nganga emphasised the importance of holistic upbringing, stating that learning should extend beyond classrooms into everyday life. In her view, institutional settings often limit this by placing children in structured environments where peer influence can outweigh parental guidance.

She added that teachers in such settings primarily focus on academics and discipline, leaving children to be shaped largely by their peers. According to her, this dynamic can weaken emotional bonding and real-life grounding during key developmental years.

Reflecting on personal experience

Nganga also shared her own background, revealing that she attended boarding school during her primary education. While she acknowledged the presence of supportive Catholic sisters, she noted that the separation from her parents and community created an emotional gap she later had to address.

She further opened up about a difficult period in her life when she had to take her firstborn child to boarding school after losing her husband and relocating abroad for work.

Although she said the experience helped her child become more disciplined and responsible, Nganga admitted that she later regretted the emotional distance it created.

Her remarks have since triggered mixed reactions online, with some agreeing with her perspective on parenting and others defending the role of boarding schools in shaping independence and discipline.