Banning mock exams won't end student riots

For years, mock examinations have been used to gauge preparedness of both teachers and students in the countdown to their final examinations.

But reports that education officials are planning to ban the examination has really irked many Kenyans. The latest supporters of this abolition debate is the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association.

Apparently, those calling for the banning of mock examinations believe that there is a high correlation between these exams and incidents of student unrest that have shocked Kenyans in the last four or so years.

But is banning the exams really the antidote to student misbehaviour in schools? I beg to differ.

Students have become violent since that have emulated our leaders.

Secondly, parents have abdicated their parental responsibilities which also include punishing misbehaviour.

Thirdly, there lacks clear cut mechanisms through which students can channel their grievances.

Lastly, and this is very important, education in Kenya ceased to be a determining factor in securing employment.

Certainly, banning mock is failing to understand the real problem. It is just like instead of salvaging property from a burning house, we are going after a mouse escaping from the inferno.