Parents urged to partner with teachers in promoting student discipline

• Parents in Kilifi have been urged to partner with teachers in promoting student discipline to improve academic performance and reducing cases of unrest in schools.

• Sub-County Director of Education, Rashid Robir, said discipline remains a key determinant of success in national examinations and overall student development.

• He expressed concern over the rising cases of indiscipline in schools across the sub-county, saying that parents have left the responsibility of disciplining children entirely to teachers, yet discipline begins at home

Parents in Malindi Sub-County, Kilifi County, have been urged to work closely with teachers in instilling discipline among learners, which education officials say is critical to improving academic performance and reducing cases of unrest in schools.

Speaking to Education News at his office in Malindi, the Sub-County Director of Education, Rashid Robir, said discipline remains a key determinant of success in national examinations and overall student development.

He noted that maintaining high standards of discipline among learners would help curb destructive behaviour in schools, reduce incidences of strikes, and enhance academic performance.

Robir expressed concern over the rising cases of indiscipline in schools across the sub-county, blaming the trend partly on parents who have abdicated their responsibility of guiding and disciplining their children.

“Many parents have left the responsibility of disciplining children entirely to teachers, yet discipline begins at home,” he said.

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He linked student indiscipline to recent incidents of dormitory fires in the area, citing the burning of a dormitory at Ngala Girls Memorial Secondary School in Dabaso, Watamu, and another at Chumani Secondary School.

To address the challenge, the education director directed secondary school principals to strengthen or establish guidance and counselling departments in their institutions to provide learners with the support they need.

He also urged parents to monitor their children’s movements closely and take a more active role in their education by maintaining regular contact with schools.

“Parents should ensure their children uphold discipline both at home and in school. A positive attitude towards education is essential for better examination results,” he said.

Robir further called on all education stakeholders, including community leaders, to collaborate in tackling indiscipline, which he identified as a major contributor to poor performance in national examinations within the sub-county.

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He appealed to residents and leaders to support schools by providing the necessary facilities and resources needed to improve learning outcomes.

The education official also cautioned parents and local leaders against placing blame solely on teachers for poor examination results, urging them instead to visit schools regularly and understand the challenges affecting learning institutions.

At the same time, he challenged teachers to remain committed to their duties and ensure that the syllabus is completed on time to give learners adequate preparation for national examinations.

By Tsozungu Kombe