The Ministry of Education (MoE) has issued a comprehensive 16-point directive aimed at curbing rising cases of unrest, strikes, and arson attacks in schools across the country, with a strong focus on boarding institutions.
The directive follows growing concern over incidents of students unrest, many of which have resulted in destruction of property and disruption of learning.
Education officials say the new measures are intended to strengthen school safety, improve leadership accountability and enhance early warning systems.
Key measures in the directive;
A nationwide assessment of all boarding schools will be conducted at national, regional, county and sub-county levels to establish compliance with safety standards.
County Directors of Education (CDEs) have been instructed to convene meetings with Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) and Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASOs) to coordinate the exercise.
Further, CDEs will convene County Education Board (CEB) meetings involving Regional Directors of Education, County Commissioners and security teams to strengthen inter-agency collaboration on school safety.
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All schools have been directed to immediately hold Board of Management (BOM) meetings to deliberate on security matters and implement urgent interventions where necessary, including decongestion of overcrowded boarding facilities.
The directive also emphasizes strict adherence to the Schools Safety Standards Manual, with full compliance expected from all institutions.
Field officers will use standardized assessment tools to be shared by the Director of Quality Assurance Services.
Security and Student Welfare Measures
To curb unrest, schools have been advised to increase patrols, particularly during evening preps—identified as the period when most strikes and arson incidents occur.
Institutions are also encouraged to install CCTV systems and establish centralized monitoring command centers to track student movement.
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Students returning from trips, excursions, or home visits must be thoroughly screened to prevent the introduction of prohibited items into school compounds.
Leadership in schools has also been addressed, with principals urged to adopt a more consultative and communicative approach rather than authoritarian styles, with emphasis on student welfare and stakeholder engagement.
Other directives include banning joint mock examinations, enforcing the Basic Education Regulations (2015) on school routines and ensuring strict control of student movement, including preventing early morning or late evening travel to and from school.
Finally, schools have been urged to promptly address student grievances to prevent escalation of tensions.
The ministry says the measures are part of a broader strategy to restore discipline, safety, and stability in learning institutions nationwide.
By Philip Koech
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