By Correspondent
The Ministry of Education is exploring ways institutionalising chaplaincy services in basic education institutions.
Jointly with the National Committee on Chaplaincy, the Ministry is working on a framework under which chaplains can offer spiritual and moral guidance to learners in basic education institutions.
The Acting Director for Field Coordination and Co-curricular Activities (FC&CCA) Hassan Duale said the Ministry is working with Faith Based Organisations (FBO), under the auspices of National Committee on Chaplaincy Services in Schools, to develop rules and guidelines that will govern the operationalisation of the service in schools.
Duale was speaking at Kigali Teachers Training College in Embu County during a workshop on chaplaincy guidelines in basic education institutions and health and safety protocols for chaplaincy services in context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said inability to cope with stress and anxieties can lead to destructive behaviour among students.
The official said chaplains would provide a listening ear and a caring presence for learners grappling with crisis of one kind or another.
Duale said the National Committee on Chaplains Services, which is chaired by Rev John Gatu, has the mandate to develop guidelines on the delivery of chaplain’s services in schools.
Rev Gatu is also the secretary of the National Association of Christian Chaplains (NACC).
The Committee draws membership from Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), the HINDU Council and the Ministry of Education.
