In preparations for the reopening of the schools, Secondary Schools’ principals held their 45th conference, yesterday in Mombasa. From the conference, the corporal punishments, mandatory drug tests, and “accountability” of damaged school property were some of the key highlights of the meeting. The principals are now calling for a review of the Children’s Act to allow for disciplinary action against indiscipline learners. Kenya Secondary School Heads Association says it has been difficult for teachers to discipline learners since corporal punishment was outlawed in Kenya in 2001.
“Policy of management of discipline has to be rechecked. It is laborious, it is difficult for any schools or board of management to take disciplinary action,” Kagi Indimuli Chairman KESSHA. The return to school after the COVID pandemic saw a rise in arson and general indiscipline across most schools in the country. The aftermath of the indiscipline burden was carried by the parents. However, the principals are now calling for more stringent measures with a change of policy that will see the students held responsible for the action of destruction of school properties. This time the students face the wrath of their rampage legally.
The principals further urged the government to put measures to ensure the preparedness of secondary schools to take in CBC learners next year. Is the problem regulation or parenting?
