MACHAKOS,Kenya, Nov,8 – Its been a nightmare couple of weeks for stakeholders in the education sector amidst a worrying increase in the number of arson cases reported in mostly public secondary schools across the country.
As a result of the unrest several schools have been forced to close their doors temporarily, going back to the drawing board in a bid to address the perennial concerns that threaten to puncture learning particularly in a year where the academic calendar has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tough talking Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha who has continued to condemn the increasing cases of arson in schools says that the ministry will not be ‘cowed’ by a small percentage of learners to close all schools indefinitely.
Magoha who visited Machakos Boys High School Monday said that the government would firmly deal with students cum ‘arsonist’ as criminals since they were destroying property and endangering the lives of their colleagues.
“If it does not stop do not think it will force us to close any school…we will not close any school. If you are not studying it is up to you. Your exams are ready in March, you will take them by the grace of God,” said Magoha who further stated that,”We shall not handle you with kid gloves…anybody planning to burn the building just remember that if you are caught you will not go to any school..definetely not any public school in this country. We shall charge you and it shall remain in your record,”
Magoha disputed narratives that the cause of the increased cases of unrest in schools was as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic saying, “that is not true” and that available statistics prove otherwise.
In 2016 at the height of the unrests in schools, 239 cases of arson were reported nationwide.
In 2017 the numbers dropped immensely to 62. In 2018 arson case nationwide stood at 61 while in 2019 63 schools were temporarily closed as a result of arson.
In 2020, even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country, at least 7 schools were affected by arson cases.
“What is all this nonsense…students were in prep room and fire started in the boarding house…it is stupid and primitive and it must stop, “ said Magoha while indicating that some people might have aided students in committing the crimes or that rogue students are solely to blame.
A national conversation has been kickstarted as a result of the unrest with stakeholders now advocating for the return of ‘the cane’ in a bid to restore discipline in schools.
Parents have meanwhile been accused of abdicating their responsibilities by not instilling the much needed discipline.
“Discipline starts from the family and it is a fact that quite a number of families have failed us. It looks mundane and juvenile for somebody in high school to burn a building. What has the building done to you?” posed Magoha.
Parents and guardians will now foot the bill for damages incurred as a result of arson.
Several reasons have been cited as a cause of the unrest. Recently the education ministry even ‘reworked’ the education calendar allowing learners to go on mid term break.
Students in both primary and secondary schools will proceed on break on November 20.
The current school term is meanwhile expected to end on December 23.
As several schools remain closed as a result of the unrest, those accused of arson are expected to be arraigned.
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