Education stakeholders oppose new school unrest task force, call for action on past reports

Isiolo Girls High School dormitory when it went up in flames on September 7, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi
Wednesday, July 15, 2026

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They also recommended improving communication between school administrators and learners, increasing student participation in decision-making, and improving school infrastructure and safety standards.

Despite those recommendations, mock examinations continue to be administered in many schools, maintaining the examination pressure highlighted in earlier reports.

Elimu Bora Working Group strategist Boaz Waruku questioned the need to launch another investigation, saying teachers, parents and education experts have for years submitted memoranda outlining both the causes of school unrest and possible solutions.

“The country does not have a shortage of reports on school unrest. What we have is a shortage of implementation. The answers are already in government files. Teachers have spoken. Parents have spoken. Education experts have spoken. What is missing is not information, it’s political will,” he said.

Waruku said repeatedly appointing task forces without acting on their findings creates the impression that the government is avoiding the root causes of the problem.

“This idea of setting up another task force instead of dealing with the root causes tells you that somebody is either not keen on resolving the matter or is completely incompetent and unable to address it,” he said.

He also questioned whether the planned task force was intended to manage public anger rather than address the problem.

National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa supported the planned task force but said it should build on previous findings instead of beginning a fresh inquiry.

“We support the task force because the country needs answers, but it should not start from scratch. It must build on what has already been documented and identify what has not been implemented,” he said.