Educationist Victor Juma. Photo/Jemimah Gambo
By Jemimah Gambo
For decades, parental involvement in Kenyan education has been synonymous with mothers.
Schools traditionally contacted mothers first, reinforcing the perception that academic responsibility belonged to women, while fathers remained distant providers of school fees.
That narrative is changing. A growing movement of men, known as Fathers for Light, is challenging stereotypes and reshaping the future of children’s learning. Driven by a demanding curriculum and evolving views on child psychology, these fathers are proving that when men step into the classroom, the ceiling on a child’s potential disappears.
Fathers step in
For William Jeffa, father of three daughters, the transformation began at the dining table.
“I realized that just paying fees wasn’t enough,” he says. He started helping with homework, attending academic clinics, and listening to his daughters’ struggles.
The results were immediate: improved grades and soaring confidence.
“Knowing their father is available gives children a strong sense of security,” Jeffa explains. He now advocates for schools to stop treating fathers as “silent partners” and to create father-friendly programs that dismantle the discomfort men often feel in female-dominated school spaces.
Competency-Based Education as a catalyst
Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) has been divisive, but for many fathers it has been transformative. Allan Otulla, an electrical engineer, says CBC forced him to rethink his role.
“It made me stop being an ‘ATM father’ and start being a mentor,” he notes. By joining his sons in projects and assignments, Otulla discovered that education could be a bridge between his professional world and his family life.
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By demanding parental involvement in practical assignments, CBC has dismantled the old excuse of being “too busy.” Homes are becoming shared learning spaces, with fathers actively guiding their children’s education.
The impact of intentional fatherhood echoes across lifetimes. Dr. Ruth Chakwe, now a medical doctor at Nairobi Hospital, recalls her father’s unwavering presence during her years at Bura Girls National School.
“He never missed a single academic meeting,” she says. “His commitment fueled my ambition and pushed me to excel.” Her story illustrates how paternal involvement can shape not only academic outcomes but also long-term aspirations.
Experts call for systemic change
Educationist Victor Juma argues that schools must stop defaulting to mothers for communication.
“Where are the fathers?” he asks. “Their absence sends a silent message that education is a domestic issue, not a life-defining priority.”
Supporting this view, Dr. Nelly Otube of Kenyatta University identifies the “feminization of the school space” as a key barrier. Meetings scheduled during working hours and communications addressed to “Mum” reinforce the idea that schools are not a man’s domain.
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Her research calls for Gender-Responsive Pedagogy school systems that respect working fathers’ schedules and create father-friendly forums, especially for parents of children with special needs.
As Kenya advances into the 21st century, the definition of masculinity is shifting. A strong man is no longer just the provider of fees but the partner who sits beside his child, guiding them through challenges.
The Fathers for Light movement is more than a cultural trend; it is a structural reimagining of education. By dismantling stereotypes and systemic barriers, it is proving that intentional fatherhood is not only transformative for children but essential for the nation’s future.
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