Chebonei Girls Secondary School in Bomet County has sent all learners home after students staged unrest causing tension and disturbances in the school.
It is reported that the disturbance began on Friday morning after breakfast, when Form Three students allegedly opposed sitting for end-term mock examinations. The administration acted quickly sending all Form Three students home to quell the tension, however the situation quickly escalated. Some learners allegedly attempted to damage school property, prompting the school to send all students home as a precautionary measure.
The source within the school indicated that learners promised to return to school on Monday signaling a resumption of normal learning activities after the weekend break.
Speaking to Education News, a Form Three student who sought anonymity said, “We were not ready for the mocks because the syllabus was not fully covered. We wanted the exams postponed so that we could prepare better.”
Another student added, “We do not support destruction of property. We just wanted our concerns heard and a fair solution reached between us and the school management.”
Some students also claimed that concerns over alleged harassment by a few male teachers had been raised with the school administration but, according to them, no action had been taken.
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“We reported cases of harassment to the principal but nothing has been done so far,” said one of the students.
The protesting learners have now demanded the immediate transfer of the principal and male teachers implicated in their complaints. They say the transfers are necessary to restore trust and a safe learning environment.
Chebonei Girls Secondary school becomes the latest institution to be rocked by student unrest, marking the fourth such incident in Bomet county within weeks.
This fresh incident adds to a growing list of schools in Bomet County grappling with unrest. The wave began with Koiwa Boys High School in Konoin Sub-county, followed by Kabungut Boys High School in Bomet Central Sub-county, and Kamungei High School in Sotik Sub-county.
Education stakeholders say the rising number of incidents points to deeper challenges that need urgent attention.
The parents and education experts have expressed concern about the pattern of strikes as the examination season approaches.
“These repeated disruptions rob candidates of precious study time and cause unnecessary anxiety among parents and teachers,” said a Bomet-based education consultant who requested anonymity.
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He added: “There is a need for stronger guidance, mentorship, and open communication between schools and learners.”
Efforts to reach Chebonei Girls’ Principal Beatrice Yator and local education officials for comment were unsuccessful by the time of going to press.
However, the education stakeholders have in the past warned that student unrest often stems from exam-related pressure, peer influence, and in some cases poor communication between school administrations and learners.
The education stakeholders are calling for the Ministry of Education and county authorities to convene emergency meetings with principals, parents, and student leaders to stem the tide of unrest.
They also want greater emphasis on psychosocial support in schools to help learners cope with exam stress and teenage pressures.
With national examinations only weeks away, the incidents have sparked fears of disrupted learning, damaged infrastructure, and long-term implications for students’ performance.
By Philip Koech
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