Education stakeholders in Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Isiolo counties have raised concerns over the frequent student unrest which may adversely affect the standards of education in the region.
This comes after nine secondary schools in Meru were closed following a wave of riots that have also left three dormitories razed down and other facilities vandalized in the last one week.
The riots which started a week ago have affected leading institutions including Burieruri Boys, Ntunene Girls, Miathene Boys, Abothuguchi Boys, Nturuba, and Kiangua secondary schools.
The riots have also hit three schools in the neighbouring Tharaka Nithi County while in Isiolo County, the Board of Management recently led parents in barricading the principal’s office in opposition to a new teacher posted to the institution.
Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma blamed the student riots partly on exam fever and vested interests from locals opposed to transfer of headteachers.
“In the last one week, several schools have been closed after students went on the rampage. Security committees in various sub-counties recommended the closure of the schools to avert further loss of property. Three dormitories were burnt down in different schools during the riots,” Ouma said.
He said some of the riots have been triggered by complaints over the quality of food.
“I want to warn and condemn individuals with vested interests to keep off our learning institutions. They create an impression that some teachers cannot be transferred and when this happens, they incite students to riot. We will not allow anyone to continue with fishy business in our schools,” the county commissioner said.
Ouma said the security agencies were investigating the cases of arson and vandalism and anyone linked to the attacks will be charged in court.
In Tharaka Nithi, County Commissioner David Gitonga last week held a stakeholders meeting to address the rising cases of unrest.
“We have met education and security officers to look for ways of taming the riots after three schools were affected. We suspect that the social media is being used to incite students,” Gitonga said.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman in Tharaka Nithi Kenneth Muthomi said there was a need to prevent the riots due to hefty losses incurred.
“We urge school heads to intensify counselling and dialogue with students to prevent the riots,” County Director of Education Bridget Wambua said.
In Isiolo, the leadership wrangles turned dramatic last week after the BoM led by chairman Mohamed Boru barricaded the principal’s office door and vowed to block any attempt to install the new school head.
“We have locked the office and anyone who tries to open it will be faced with wrath. We met the TSC and agreed the new principal should not be deployed and allow the new deputy to act as the principal. However, they have gone against the agreement,” Boru said.
They vowed to resist any attempt by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to deploy the new principal who they claim is a non-performer.
He said the outgoing principal and the management had worked hard to improve the school’s performance after years of decline.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
By John Majau
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
