On 1st June 2026, as Kenya celebrated Madaraka Day, our family began a new chapter in our lives: homeschooling.
This was not a decision made overnight. It was the result of years of observation, reflection, research, planning, and discussions about the kind of education we wanted for our daughters, Mumbi and Wangari.
Many people have asked why we chose homeschooling. Others have wondered whether it is cheaper, whether the children will socialize, whether they will receive quality education, or whether they will miss important experiences available in traditional schools.
This article shares our reasons, our vision, and the educational philosophy behind our homeschooling journey.
Understanding Education Beyond the Classroom
The Kenyan Constitution recognizes every child’s right to education. As parents, we believe that education is much broader than attending a school building.
Education is the process of learning, understanding, growing, creating, questioning, and preparing for life.
Schools are one way of delivering education, but they are not education itself.
Our goal is not to reject education. Our goal is to create an educational environment that best serves the needs of Mumbi and Wangari while preparing them for the future.
Why We Chose Homeschooling
Every child is different.
While observing our daughters, we realized that a more personalized educational approach would allow us to better support their strengths and address their challenges.
Mumbi’s Learning Journey
Mumbi is a creative, energetic, and talented young girl.
However, we noticed that her self-confidence was gradually declining. She often doubted herself and hesitated to express her ideas openly.
We also observed challenges in:
- Communication skills
- Grammar
- Pronunciation
- Self-expression
- Confidence in academic discussions
- She is easily influenced by peer pressure
- Always on back-bench in every activities
Mathematics became increasingly difficult for her, particularly when concepts depended heavily on formulas and abstract procedures. Instead of building confidence, some topics were creating frustration.
Another concern was the amount of homework. Much of her time after school was spent completing assignments, leaving limited time for:
- Personal responsibilities
- Family activities
- Recreation
- Creative projects
- Practical life skills
At the same time, Mumbi displayed exceptional strengths.
She loves:
- Knitting and embroidery
- Crocheting and weaving
- Sports and physical activities
- Practical learning experiences (creative arts)
- Cooking
Within only a short period of homeschooling, we have already observed encouraging improvements in her confidence, communication and willingness to express herself.
Wangari’s Learning Journey
Wangari presents a different profile.
She is naturally confident, curious and independent.
She asks questions, seeks answers and enjoys learning new concepts. She is a quick learner and generally performs well across different subjects.
One of her strengths is that she thinks independently and is not easily influenced by peer pressure.
She enjoys:
- Creative arts
- Printing projects
- Paper crafts
- Design activities
- Building things with her hands
While academically strong, we also wanted her to develop stronger life skills and practical responsibilities that are often difficult to teach intentionally within traditional school schedules.
Homeschooling allows us to build upon her strengths while helping her develop into a well-rounded individual.
Our Vision: Hands-On Builders
One of the biggest reasons for homeschooling is our long-term vision.
We want Mumbi and Wangari to become hands-on builders.
Our focus is on:
- Structural engineering
- Architecture
- Design
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Innovation
However, every builder starts with basic projects.
Our journey begins with activities such as:
- Creative arts
- Pen plotting
- Printing projects
- Handmade products
- Photo frame production
- Signboard fabrication
- Model making
- Design projects
These activities teach precision, creativity, patience, planning, and problem-solving.
Focusing on Core Academic Subjects
Our academic approach prioritizes depth over quantity.
We focus heavily on:
English
Strong communication skills create opportunities in every profession.
We emphasize:
- Reading
- Writing
- Grammar
- Pronunciation
- Public speaking
- Self-expression
Mathematics
Mathematics is the language of engineering.
Our goal is not simply memorizing formulas but understanding how mathematics applies to real-life situations.
Physics
Physics helps explain how the world works.
It provides the foundation for understanding:
- Forces
- Structures
- Motion
- Materials
- Engineering systems
Other subjects remain important and are incorporated where necessary, but these three subjects form the backbone of our educational strategy.
Professional Teaching and Academic Structure
Homeschooling in our family is not unstructured learning.
We have employed a trained / professional teacher under a formal contract.
Weekly Schedule
Monday to Friday:
- 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Saturday:
- 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
From Monday to Friday the teacher focuses primarily on:
- English
- Mathematics
- Physics
Saturday sessions emphasize:
- Communication
- Reading
- Public speaking
- Pronunciation
- Confidence building
- Self-expression
As our program develops, we plan to engage an additional instructor with a background in Structural Engineering.
This future instructor will help connect mathematics and physics to:
- Construction
- Structural systems
- Engineering projects
- Everyday problem-solving
Learning Beyond Books
Every afternoon, learning continues beyond formal lessons.
From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, I the father personally guide practical activities focused on:
- Structural engineering
- Architecture
- Design
- Workshop skills
- Creative projects
- Construction concepts
These sessions allow academic knowledge to be applied in real-world situations.
Life Skills Matter
Education should prepare children for life.
For this reason, life skills are integrated into our homeschooling program.
These include:
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Farming
- Personal responsibility
- Time management
- Organization
- Health and safety
We believe that successful adults need more than academic knowledge.
They need practical life skills.
Preparing for the Future
The world is changing rapidly.
Today’s children must be prepared for technologies and industries that continue to evolve.
Our curriculum includes:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Digital literacy
- Research skills
- Technology awareness
- World studies
- Current affairs
We want Mumbi and Wangari to understand both local and global developments.
Sports and Physical Development
A common misconception is that homeschooled children miss out on sports.
In our case, sports are intentionally planned and fully supported.
We have:
- A small football pitch
- A basketball playing area
- Monkey bars
- Outdoor exercise space
Every day includes a dedicated 45-minute activity period.
Activities include:
- Jogging
- Stretching
- Rope skipping
- Football
- Basketball
- Skating
- Chess
We also plan to introduce structured swimming lessons on Sundays with a professional trainer.
Sports help develop:
- Fitness
- Discipline
- Teamwork
- Confidence
- Leadership
- Mental resilience
Social Interaction
Another common concern about homeschooling is socialization.
Fortunately, this is not a challenge for our family.
We live in an apartment community with many children.
After formal lessons, Mumbi and Wangari regularly interact, play and socialize with other children.
They continue to build friendships, communicate, cooperate and develop social skills in a natural environment.
Homeschooling does not mean isolation.
It simply means learning happens differently.
Is Homeschooling Cheaper?
Many people assume homeschooling saves money.
For our family, the answer is: No.
Homeschooling requires significant investment.
We have invested in:
- Learning spaces
- Furniture
- Educational resources
- Professional teaching
- Computers
- Printers
- Pen plotters
- Printing materials
- Art supplies
- Woodworking tools
- Steelworking tools
- Safety equipment
- PPE
- Project materials
- Sports equipment
In many ways, we are planning to rent a small educational workshop, design studio and classroom combined at a budget of KES.25,000
Homeschooling is not about saving money.
It is about investing in our children’s future.
Family Time and Character Development
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the opportunity to spend meaningful time together as a family.
Homeschooling allows us to:
- Build stronger relationships
- Monitor behavior
- Provide mentorship
- Encourage good values
- Guide character development
- Support emotional growth
Knowledge is important.
Character is equally important.
Our goal is to help Mumbi and Wangari become confident, responsible, respectful, creative and capable young people.
Conclusion
Our decision to homeschool is not a rejection of schools, teachers or education systems.
It is simply a decision to pursue a learning path that aligns with our family’s vision, values and goals.
We want our daughters to become:
- Confident communicators
- Strong problem-solvers
- Creative thinkers
- Practical builders
- Responsible citizens
- Lifelong learners
Through our Engineers of Steel journey, we hope to create an environment where education is meaningful, practical, enjoyable, and connected to real life.
This is only the beginning of our story.
The journey continues.
