Education stakeholders are worried of a new wave of arson targeting secondary schools.
The incidents have damaged dormitories and students’ belongings.
The repercussion has seen the affected schools closed indefinitely.
In the most recent incidents, a dormitory was set ablaze in Buruburu Girls, Nairobi County, Gendia High school in Homabay and Dr. Krapf Memorial in Kilifi among others.
Molo Academy in Nakuru was closed following students unrest.
24 students were judged with arson and being in possession of drugs in two schools from Nyeri.
Some Kenyans have raised an alarm of what is taking place in boarding schools.
In a morning talk show on Spice Radio on Tuesday, it emerged that students go through many challenges that need to be addressed immediately.
A caller from Nairobi, Abdulla Azizi said that society is to be blamed of what is happening.
He says students learn from their environment while technology has taught them more than teachers do.
Another caller from Nairobi, Thomas, faulted learning stress imposed on students.
He said technology could be the cause of unrest.
He explained that students share information among schools leading to being unruly.
Kiplagat, a parent of a form three student from Eldoret said students have a heavy work load.
He explained that his daughter wake up at 0400hrs and should be in class by 0530hrs.
The class goes on up to 2100hrs.
He said co-curricular would make students find time to rest.
“Their exhaustion and frustration is exhibited on unrest seen,” he added.
All these happen because learners are unconsidered during government and management decision making process.
Teachers are only pushed to finish their syllabus and meet the ministry of education’s guidelines.
Learners have not gained solid problem skills.
As expressed by Mr. Victor from Nairobi, unrest is the only way students have learnt to express themselves.
Filling the gap of solving challenges faced everyday will bring out civility among students.
“Congestion has taken over schools whereas pressure on students is big,” he said.
“Learners need counselors to help them cope with daily challenges they face more so during this period of covid-19,” says Mr. Rufas, a father of a form three daughter in Nakuru.
He deduces that boarding schools should be reduced significantly or done away with.
This will give parents an opportunity to take care of their children.
Meanwhile more unanswered questions are directed to the ministry of education.
What happened to the implementation of the recommendations made by the Institute of Security Studies published 2008?
The report explained the causes and mitigation measures that can end unrest in boarding secondary schools in the country.
