NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 12 – Amidst the increasing cases of school unrest nationwide, several institutions of learning 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.
The Ministry of Education, which has condemned the wanton destruction of school property in various secondary schools, has now directed school administrations nationwide to enhance security and guarantee the security of learners in accordance with the basic education regulations of 2015.
Schools have among other directives been instructed to convene a board of management meetings to discuss students’ discipline and share resolutions with the county education board for necessary action.
They will also be tasked with ensuring that learners who are involved in indiscipline are not allowed to transfer to other schools.
“Therefore, no school should admit a student who has not been released formally by the previous school,” read a section of the statement by the Ministry of Education.
School boards have also been directed to ensure security is enhanced in schools on a 24-hour basis while working closely with the Ministry of Interior in ensuring this is adhered to.
In the wake of the fires, a section of stakeholders have faulted schools for failing to engage learners in regular discussions in order to address several challenges they face and raise while in the confines of learning institutions.
Albeit criminal, some argue that cases of unrest in schools are a sign of students lashing out despite reaching out to those in authority.
“Schools should open up accessible channels of communication for adequate and seamless engagement with learners, infusing mounting a proper mechanism for addressing grievances raising from students,” Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha.
Early detection mechanisms are also expected to be set up to combat future unrest, this event s the ministry of education said that it will not meet the cost of reconstructing destroyed school property.
Earlier this week, a tough-talking Education Cabinet Secretary condemned the increasing cases of arson in schools, saying that the ministry will not be ‘cowed’ by a small percentage of learners to close all schools indefinitely.
“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.
”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. 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, “that is not true” and that available statistics prove otherwise.
In 2016 at the height of the unrest in schools, 239 episodes of arson were reported nationwide.
In 2017 the numbers dropped immensely to 62. In 2018 arson cases 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.
A national conversation has been kickstarted as a result of the unrest with stakeholders now advocating for the return of corporal punishment in order to restore displace in schools.
Parents have meanwhile been accused of abdicating their responsibilities and 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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