By Peter Amos
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has faulted the courts, accusing them of giving irrational rulings and directives on students implicated in indiscipline cases.
In an apparent reference to recent cases in which the courts ordered for the re-admission of suspended students accused of arson across the country, Magoha said it was improper to do so, arguing that such a move would pose a security risk to the innocent students and abate moral decay in schools.
The cases were those from students and some teaching staff being implicated in the recent unrests that were widespread where dormitories were torched and reduced to ashes but the courts however ordered for student’s re-admission.
The CS said the Ministry would not tolerate any form of indiscipline among students saying each one involved would carry their own cross.
“If ten students want to close and go home, let them go and they return when they want .For if they know that they are intelligent enough, then why should they still be in school?” wondered a visibly agitated Magoha.
He at the same time pointed an accusing figure on some parents for doing little to guide their children morally, accusing them of pampering them like eggs.” When a parent demands for the readmission of an expelled child, instead of sitting with them and point out their ills, then it’s like the parents and the child have interchanged roles. This does not add up.” he noted.
The professor of medicine at the same time reaffirmed that the forth coming national exams would go on as planned, adding; “We cannot change the examination dates because of a few noisemakers are making noise somewhere.”
He reiterated that the KCPE and KCSE exams had been set, taking into account that the school calendar had been largely disrupted by the effects of the Covid -19 pandemic.
The CS was speaking at Maseno School in Kisumu West sub county when he toured the institution to inspect infrastructural development. He was accompanied by high-ranking Ministry officials in Nyanza Region, both from TSC and the ministry, area Deputy County Commissioner and the school’s BOM led by its chairman Dr. Olang’o Onudi.
Magoha at the same time lauded the school’s student body under the guidance of the teaching staff and other stake-holders for largely remaining an island of peace during the tumultuous term characterized by incidents of infernos.
On the issue of the reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools, Magoha termed as healthy, the on-going debate on the same .He added that modalities on its implementation and by who, would have to be put in place if it were to be rolled out, adding: ” We must not however infringe on the rights of the largely good student populace at the expense of a few indiscipline cases.”
On his part, the school’s principal Andrew Buop termed the visit by the CS as a privilege and a great honour. He lauded the students, whom he termed gentlemen, for being largely peaceful – a fact he attributed to an elaborate pastoral programme as well as active guidance and counseling in the school.
He assured the guests that the school would deliver students who know what character is.
“Maseno school is known to train and churn out leaders for their country and even beyond.” reiterated an elated Buop.
