School heads directed to crack down on indiscipline as student unrest rises

School heads have been directed to take strict action against indiscipline, including arson and vandalism, following a surge in student unrest ahead of national exams.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba expressed concern that rising cases of disorder threaten learning and destroy school infrastructure, warning that expulsion, prosecution and transfers will only follow due process.

Ogamba stressed that institutions must no longer cover up acts of destruction and indiscipline.

“The correct position is that you can expel a student after disciplinary proceedings, and if, at the conclusion of it, the decisions of the committee together with the parents and board determine the action to be taken,” he said.

He condemned recent cases where students burned schools and broke into bursars’ offices to steal resources.

“These students are now in custody; it is a crime,” Ogamba said.

“You have to weigh; do you leave a student to burn the school because he has a right to education? There is a channel to ensure that the child is disciplined and goes through the process.”

The CS added that candidates involved in arson will sit exams externally, while other students implicated will continue learning from home.

“Discipline and rules of schools have to be adhered to. You cannot move a child from one school to another and keep committing the same offence,” he said.

Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Professor Julius Bitok, reiterated that no student involved in arson or property destruction will go unpunished.

“The new spate of unrest in schools, burning some infrastructure, we have given firm instructions to our county directors and sub-county directors to be on top of the game,” he said.

Bitok directed education officers to convene urgent meetings with students and teachers if a school shows signs of unrest.

“No student will be allowed to destroy school property and go scot-free. We will take them through the disciplinary process,” he added, urging vigilance during this sensitive term.

The unrest has sparked debate among political leaders, education stakeholders and parents on balancing discipline with learners’ rights. In Kericho County, Belgut MP Nelson Koech called for strict measures, asserting that students who commit arson should face criminal consequences.

“Any child who burns a school is a criminal, and they should be treated as such. They should go to jail or be taught in approved schools. Such students should not escape with light punishments,” Koech said.

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Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot proposed a national conversation on reinstating corporal punishment, claiming the ban contributed to the rise in school destruction.

“The destruction of school property began the moment caning was banned. The country must engage in a broader discussion about the policy that outlawed caning. Even the Bible states that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child,” he said.

Cheruiyot lauded parents and residents in Kapkatet for curbing unrest at Tengecha Boys’ following last week’s dormitory fire.

Former Roads Minister Franklin Bett, who contributed to building Litein High School’s administration block in the 1990s, urged an independent probe into the destruction.

“There may be a third force involved. This incident demands a thorough and independent probe by the Ministries of Education and Interior,” Bett said.

Former Litein Boys Principal John Rop warned that the unrest is a major setback for KCSE candidates.

“It will be a disaster if candidates cannot sit for their examinations due to this destruction. The Ministry of Education, parents and the Board of Management must urgently meet to ensure continuity of learning,” he said.

The Ministry reminded principals that transfers and admissions of students involved in indiscipline will only be approved under strict guidelines.

Kericho County Director of Education Julius Ngoneshi instructed school heads against admitting expelled students without proper clearance.

“Principals are expected to ensure they give release letters to students seeking transfer, stating clearly the conduct of the students concerned. A principal who covers up a student’s conduct shall be held responsible for any subsequent problems,” Ngoneshi said.