The Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha has called for the reinstatement of corporal punishment in schools.
The CS has called for the reintroduction of caning in schools in order to instil much-needed discipline in schools.
In his view, children should not be given too much freedom.
CS Magoha implored parents to discipline their children instead of relying only on teachers to do so.
“We shall not handle children with kid gloves. It is not time for children to dictate what is supposed to be done,” said CS Magoha.
In Kenya, Corporal Punishment was outlawed in 2001 and the Children’s Act was enacted to protect children from abuse and violence.
He said that corporal punishment should be reintroduced as soon as possible
“It is possible to discipline our children and be assertive to them to remain children,” added CS Magoha.
While presiding over the launch of the modification of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), Prof Magoha called on education stakeholders to start a national discussion on parenting and discipline in schools.
“We cannot give children what they want. They must be directed to live a normal life,” said CS Magoha.
Magoha was calling for the return of corporal punishment in schools following a school fire that burnt down property at Kisumu Boys High School.
While speaking to the media, CS Magoha called on parents to be responsible for the cost of the damage caused by the fire, which occurred two days after schools reopened for the second term.
Magoha issued a warning to students involved in the fire incident not to disrupt the academic calendar and promised that the school was not going to be closed.
Amidst the wave of school fires, CS Magoha’s call for school fires was criticized.
However, despite the criticism, CS Magoha has remained adamant that corporal punishment is the key to dealing with student indiscipline in schools.
“We’ve had our heads in the sand for far too long, especially when it comes to parenting.
“Talk to principals if you want to know what our parenting challenges are,” said CS Magoha.