In a powerful act of advocacy for her child’s well-being, a Kenyan mother is redefining the parent-teacher dynamic. Her now-viral letter, anchored by the Kiswahili phrase “Kila Mtu Afanye Kazi Yake,” is more than a complaint; it’s a manifesto for balanced childhoods and a call for mutual respect between parents and educators.
The letter thoughtfully argues that the home should be a sanctuary for connection, not an extension of the classroom. The mother highlights how endless homework assignments rob families of precious evening hours and place an undue emotional burden on young children, who need time to decompress and engage in unstructured play. This stance is not about being anti-education, but about being pro-child.
Her courage is inspiring a wave of conversations in parenting groups across Kenya. It encourages mothers and fathers to confidently set boundaries that protect their family’s peace and their child’s mental health, reminding everyone that a teacher’s expertise in pedagogy must be balanced with a parent’s expertise in their own child’s needs.
