Matiang'i: Ministry to introduce chaplains in schools

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i

The Government will work with faith-based organisations to restore peace in schools as the country grapples with a worrying number of fire incidents in secondary schools.

Addressing parents, teachers, students and other education stakeholders at St Mary’s Girls High School where he opened a resource centre yesterday, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the ministry is working with Christian and Muslim leaders to introduce chaplains in schools in a bid to arrest the unrest that has seen tens of schools burned by unruly students.

Dr Matiang’i appealed to students to learn how to air their grievances with school administrators, instead of venting their issues through burning their schools. “As parents, we love you more than you will ever know, and the reason why we are focused on your education is because we want you to grow into responsible adults,” Matiang’i told the students.

He told the students they won’t achieve much in life if they are not disciplined and do not respect authority. Matiang’i, who handed a cheque worth Sh3 million from President Uhuru Kenyatta and pledged to give 40 computers for the resource centre next week, said by ensuring schools had chaplains, the students spiritual needs would be catered for, and discipline would be restored in Kenyan schools.

School Principal Muthoni Ruteere said the students’ council and peer counselors had partnered with the administration for the smooth-running of the institution. “Students are part and parcel of the decision-making process,” said Ms Muthoni.

“We have talked with bishops, evangelists and the Muslims because we aim to institutionalise chaplains in schools, to address students spiritual needs,” said the CS. Matiang’i appealed to parents not to give their children too much pocket money as it exposes them to temptations.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, who gave Sh100,000 to the students for good behaviour, asked them to always seek dialogue with the administration whenever they had grievances, instead of taking matters into their hands. “The culture of hooliganism, thuggery and looting should stop. The culture of burning (schools) because there is no television or music system will be fought with might,” said Mr Kiraitu.

The CS also presided over a fundraiser at Nkubu High School, where the old boys association Chairman Polycarp Igathe and Principal Nicholas Nyaga helped build a new multi-purpose hall.