Calls for increased surveillance as schools reopen to ensure student safety, prevent loitering

Schools are reopening for Term Two starting tomorrow. The security apparatus has been called to mount heightened surveillance, especially in our major towns and cities, as students return to school. This is aimed at mitigating incidents where students, especially girls, fail to reach school after they leave their homes.

Stakeholders, especially parents who spoke to Education News, raised concerns over the increased incidence of their children getting lost in towns or taking too long to arrive at school despite being released early enough.

“We release our children early as per the school’s regulation. Still, sometimes we are told to go to school to explain why we were late arriving at school,” reported Omulepu, a parent from Kamukunji.

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Incidents in which students do not major towns loitering aimlessly are regularly reported during the opening and closing days of the term.

A number of students are reported to use these two opportunities to meet with their colleagues from different schools and sometimes individuals who lure them to immoral behaviours that risk their lives.

The concerned parents are strongly calling upon the security apparatus to step up monitoring of major bus stops, hotels, and restaurants.

They claim these are the major points where their children are lured by unscrupulous culprits, sometimes disguising themselves as parents, guardians, or siblings.

In related news, students have been urged to be aware of culprits ready to divert their attention as they return to school.

Addressing youths who had gathered for a back-to-school rally at ACK St Barnabas Setek Church in Nandi Hills, Lay reader Leah Rotich warned the youths against gambling, especially on aviator platforms.

She said that many students have fallen prey to betting, which has resulted in deaths.

As Term Two begins tomorrow, it is prudent for every parent to adequately prepare their children and further advise them on emerging issues that can negatively affect their studies.

The government is further urged to consider putting up a return-to-school unit as requested by the parents. School principals should be considerate of parents’ pledges on fee payments.

It can be remembered that schools are reopening when it is not yet the end of the month.

By Naboth Murunga.