The Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha said last week that parents will have to pay for the cost of damaged property in schools following increased incidences of students’ unrest across the country.
The directive applies to parents whether or not their children are guilty or not.
CS Magoha also revealed that those students involved in unrest incidences will be barred from admission to any public school. The CS argued that it is necessary to punish those learners who are found guilty.
Prof Magoha stated that action by law will also be taken against those involved in the heinous acts.
The CS terms the arson attacks as shameful acts and primitive in every sense.
The CS did not reveal much on the details but it was clear that his Ministry is working with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation to deal with the increased cases of arson across the country.
“Every child who is eight years and older is criminally liable (Penal Code Act 63) will be dealt with heavily,” said the CS.
However, the Penal Code Act 63 stipulates that children are to be accorded special treatment.
“Despite what is going on, everybody has a choice to make every time. If one chooses to go and start a fire in the school, they have to know there are consequences for their actions,” said CS Magoha.
Magoha had earlier recommended the return of corporal punishment in schools to curb the increasing cases of indiscipline in schools.
The CS revealed that the Ministry of Education has issued a circular on the safety and the security of boarding secondary schools.
According to the circular, the county directors of education shall hold a county education board meeting on the 25th of February 2021 at the latest and deliberate on indiscipline in schools and come up with recommendations to Boards of Management on how to end student unrest in schools.
Heads of Institutions have been directed to be more vigilant in preventing any unrest that could come up in their schools.
“Saying that we found to fire when children are on preps is no longer acceptable.
“I am charging our headteachers (and Principals) to account for all children including the time they go to the washrooms,” said CS Magoha.
Teachers in charge of boarding have also been directed to work together with boarding prefects and ensure that dormitories are locked during preps time.
The ongoing cases of students’ unrest in schools had threatened to derail preparations for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
However, CS Magoha dismissed the claims saying that preparations for the national examinations have not been affected.