Matiang'i gets support from education lobby on schools closure

Elimu Yetu Coalition Co-ordinator Janet Muthoni.  EYC wants Government to table tangible evidence on the numerous theories fronted to explain causes of school fires. (Photo: File/Standard)

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has maintained that schools will not be closed prematurely over the arson crisis.

At the same time, Elimu Yetu Coalition (EYC) urged the Government to table tangible evidence on the numerous theories fronted to explain causes of school fires.

On Sunday evening, a dormitory at Gachika Secondary School in Nyeri County, and two others at Ngaru Girls in Kirinyaga County, were torched.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting organised by EYC that sought to address the issue, Matiang'i said: "We have had very successful deliberations on the issue... and I am glad that the civil society does agree with the Government's decision not to close schools early."

He added: "We will continue working with faith-based organisations, teachers and parents to find a long-standing solution to the issue."

EYC complained of lack of tangible impact of the numerous meetings held by various players in the education sector.

"What we hear are committees being formed but there is no tangible work on the ground to support these initiatives. If some students or teachers have been apprehended, is there concrete evidence to warrant the action taken?" EYC Co-ordinator Janet Muthoni asked.

Ms Muthoni insisted that closing schools would propagate an idea that students are being punished by being sent away from school: "...yet schools are the only place of work for these students".

"It will also be interfering with the already laid out programme, students do not stop growing when they stay home," she said.

She added that having 9,200 secondary schools, out of over 9,300, unaffected by the arson attacks is evidence enough that the situation is not out of control.

The coalition's chairman Daniel Wesonga said closing schools would cripple the sector.

"We already know there is resistance to the reforms spearheaded by the CS, yet a lot of strikes and arson in schools could still be some 'copycat' strategy. All fires are the same, but the underlying reasons are different. It should be noted that students involvement in school leadership should not be as 'cosmetic' as it is now," Mr Wesonga said.

Muthoni said despite the set reforms, schools still do not adhere to them, which is not only stressing to students but to parents as well.

"These (arson) happen only in second term during (mock) exams yet we know the ministry banned mock exams. But let us not overlook the fact that exam cheats could be feeling frustrated," said Muthoni.