- Education commentator argues that rising school unrest reflects a deeper crisis of values in Kenya’s education system.
- Growing emphasis on grades and examination results may be undermining values such as honesty, responsibility and hard work.
- Stakeholders are being urged to work together to restore character formation alongside academic achievement.
By Astiba Kebongo
The recent wave of school unrest across Kenya raises serious questions about the values we are instilling in our learners. While many factors contribute to indiscipline, examination malpractice and unhealthy competition for grades have played a role in eroding the culture of hard work, honesty and responsibility.
When learners see success being achieved through shortcuts, cheating or manipulation of results, some begin to believe that character and effort no longer matter. The message becomes: “Results are everything.”
This mindset can weaken discipline, reduce commitment to learning and encourage a sense of entitlement. Consequently, some learners may resort to destructive behaviour, including acts of unrest within schools.
Education then risks becoming a race for grades rather than a journey of acquiring knowledge, skills and values.
Practising What We Teach
We must ask ourselves whether we are preaching one thing and practising another—telling learners to be honest while adults engage in actions that compromise integrity.
Young people learn more from what we do than from what we say. The proverb, “Actions speak louder than words,” remains as relevant today as ever.
A Collective Responsibility
The solution requires a collective effort.
Parents must nurture values and discipline at home. Teachers should uphold professional ethics and mentor learners beyond academics. School administrators must create environments where learners are heard, supported and guided.
Religious institutions should continue providing moral and spiritual direction. The government must strengthen systems that protect the credibility of examinations and hold offenders accountable.
Beyond Examination Results
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other education stakeholders also have a role in reducing unhealthy competition among schools and teachers.
Success should not be measured solely by examination results but also by character, talent development, innovation and responsible citizenship.
Examinations are important, but they are not everything. Learners need grades that can open doors for them, but they also need discipline, integrity, resilience and values that will help them remain successful once those doors are opened.
Building a Stronger Nation
As the Bible reminds us, “Better is a poor person who walks in integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1).
Kenya’s future will not be secured by certificates alone. It will be secured by a generation that combines knowledge with character, excellence with integrity and success with responsibility.
If we work together to restore discipline and honesty in our schools, we will build not only better learners but also a stronger nation.
READ ALSO: Kisii Governor asks youth to learn positive values from elders around them
Knowledge without character is a danger to society; character without knowledge limits potential. Our schools must nurture both.
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