A section of elders from Baringo now want to be part of the solution as relates to arson and indiscipline in schools.
They called upon the Ministry of Education to create for them time in the curriculum where they can give advice to children on a weekly basis.
They say the current education system has worked to the advantage of professionals who are being invited to institutions to motivate students on current affairs, leaving out valuable traditions and customs that the society practiced in the past.
Led by Kalenjin Myoot, Council of Elders Secretary General Rev (rtd.) Zachariah Chirchir, they said that the current wave of school fires and vandalism of property was a sign of a failed upbringing and nurturing of children.
“We are now appealing to the ministry of education in their capacity as well as the school boards of management to set up lessons and activities where elders can speak to children about good morals,” Rev Chirchir stated.
He proposed inviting elders to talk to both boys and girls, saying a good education system must not necessarily be about studies and school work alone but also how they need to conduct themselves until they get old.
The Myoot elder said elderly people have a wealth of knowledge and experience in advising on matters of drug abuse and teenage pregnancies which has found its way to many institutions in the country.
In an exclusive interview with The Scholar Media Africa, he said elders are ready to transform children from such wicked behaviours.
Kiplagat Chepkieng, another elder from Kimose Location in Mogotio Sub County while reiterating the sentiments cautioned students against burning of schools.
He noted that a longtime curse might befall them in their future lives.
He observed that it is a taboo in the African culture to burn structures for no apparent reason.
He said those engaging in arson activities always carry curses of innocent individuals.
Chepkieng challenged stakeholders to research more on some of the reasons behind escalation of unruly behaviours in some schools across the country.
He called on the ministry of education to also reconsider its countrywide admission criteria of recruiting students after their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).
He noted that this might be one of the contributing factors to the burning of schools.
Chepkieng said if students are admitted to their respective county schools, they can champion for the protection of their respective institutions against any damage that might be caused by other students from other regions.
“If research was to be done today, it will be shocking to note that those students fond of leading strikes and demonstrations are not necessarily from that particular county, they are probably those who might have suffered ‘home sick’ and would want to do anything to be allowed to leave for home whenever they are bored from studies,” Chepkieng said.
Bishop William Kitilit of Ways of Christ Church in Kabarnet town challenged parents to take the greatest responsibility of nurturing their children, instead of focusing on other things outside the family set up.
“Parents of today have no time for their children and they have left all the responsibilities to their maids to teach them according to the way they understand,” he pointed out.
Bishop Kitilit said parents should not relent in caning their children whenever they are on the wrong path because it will be hard to discipline them when they are mature.
He also encouraged the media to scale down airing of fire incidents in schools since it encourages other institutions to do so and it promotes mob psychology.
