NairoBits surveyed its 2020 cohort to understand how the pandemic had affected them. 17% of students had moved upcountry, 2% had become pregnant, and another 17% had been directly affected by COVID-19.
About 45% of students had side jobs outside their studies, and all of them said that work was affected or wiped out. Most named money as their biggest problem, followed by unemployment and lack of access to education.
In many households the breadwinner had lost their job. Some students said they were skipping lunch to save for supper or breakfast. Many had gone months without internet access and had fallen behind in their studies.
Some problems were specific to girls: a lack of sanitary towels and a higher risk of early pregnancy. With more time at home, students also reported more pressure from peers, and the risk of drifting into crime and drug use had grown.
The article calls for support aimed at young people from low-income informal settlements.
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