What led to burning of schools? Students, teachers speak out

A dormitory at Katheka Boys Secondary School in Kitui West that was burnt down in May 2017. [Paul Mutua, Standard]

Several schools were burnt down in 2016 leading to disruption of learning calendar in the affected institutions. Students, teachers and education officials have their say:

1. Students:

Causes:

a. Sudden change of school rules

b. Not being listened to

c. Rampant caning, sometimes leading to injuries

d. Peer pressure

Solution:

a. Dialogue between administration and students

b. Society should come up with better ways of expressing itself as a role model for students

c. Guidance and counselling should be encouraged in schools

d. Improve infrastructure and facilities in schools

e. Improve the menu in schools

2. Teachers:

Causes:

a. Conflict among teachers.

b. Too many examinations and fear of examinations, including joint mocks

c. Principals staying too long in one station

d. Peer pressure

e. Drug abuse

f. Poor diet

g. Lack of proper communication channels

h. Revenge by indisciplined students

i. Students demanding newer and bigger buses and canteens

j. Political interference

3. Principals:

Causes:

a. Incitement by local communities

b. Division among teachers

c. Indiscipline and drug abuse

d. Poor diet/inadequate food

e. Poor hygiene standards in the kitchens and dormitories

f. Fear of mock examinations

g. Corporal punishment

h. Sensational reporting by media

i. Refusal by some principals to facilitate exam leaks

j. Students demanding early mid-term break

k. Harassment by teachers

l. Basic Education Act overprotects students

Solutions:

a. Prosecute culprits

b. Train parents in proper parenting skills

c. Allow corporal punishment

d. Strengthen guidance and counselling services

e. Co-operation between stakeholders

f. Encourage talent-based system of education

g. Convert boarding schools to day schools

h. Motivate students

4. Sub-county directors:

Causes:

a. Fear of exams

b. Drug abuse

c. Peer pressure

d. Communication breakdown

e. Incitement by teachers, communities and politicians

f. High-handedness by school managers

g. Poor management skills

Solutions:

a. Regular curriculum supervision

b. Boarding school principals to reside in school

c. Schools to provide balanced diets

d. TSC to deploy head teachers on merit

e. Leaders to keep their promises to students

f. Enhance parental involvement in student discipline

g. Student leaders should not be board of management members

i. Rebrand student councils

j. School workers to be vetted before employment

k. Consultation between TSC and Education ministry before effecting changes in management

l. Effect a ban on selling of petrol in small containers

m. Remove canteens near schools

n. Strengthen guidance and counseling.

o. Ensure proper communication channels.

p. Promote good working relations among all stakeholders.

q. Ensure perimeter fencing of schools.

r. Schools to provide balanced diet in their menu.

s. Government security agencies to work closely with schools.

t. Review the role of sponsors.

u. Restore corporal punishment.