The Kenya National Parents Association, Bomet Chapter, has called for urgent strengthening of guidance and counselling departments in schools, following the tragic suicide of a Form Four student at Kaboson Girls Secondary School.
KNPA Bomet Chairperson Stephen Koskey said the incident highlighted the glaring gap in psychosocial support in schools.
“Many schools ignore guidance and counselling, and that’s a very worrying trend,” said Koskey. “This tragedy could have been avoided if the student had received proper counselling support.”
Speaking in Bomet town, Koskey was referring to a recent case in which a female candidate allegedly took her own life, days after expressing distress over academic pressure and strained family relations.
According to a police report, the deceased had confided in a friend that she was experiencing tensions with her parents over her academic performance.
Koskey urged both parents and teachers to create safe, supportive environments where students can express their emotions and struggles.
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“We must understand our children’s problems, both at home and in school,” he said. “Pushing them too hard for better grades without emotional support can lead to dangerous outcomes, including suicide.”
He cautioned against the culture of academic pressure, calling on parents to be realistic about their children’s individual abilities.
“Not all students perform the same. We must accept our children as they are and stop comparing them or expecting perfection,” he added.
The KNPA is now advocating for schools to not only revive but also invest in trained counselling professionals who can offer mental health support to students.
“Every school must have a functional and active counselling department,” Koskey stressed. “It’s a matter of life and death.”
The tragic case has sparked fresh debate on the mental well-being of students in Kenya, especially with national examinations approaching.
By KIMUTAI LANGAT
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