By Allan Kibet
The secondary school head teachers in Kenya have renewed efforts to push for the introduction of mandatory drug tests in schools as the new academic year approaches. The school heads are also advocating for a change in the existing policy that would see individual students answerable to cases of destruction to school property during unrests whenever they are culpable.
The head teachers made the sentiments while holding their annual Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) conference in Mombasa led by their Chairman, Kahi Indimuli, who is also the Peincipal of Machakos School.
The secondary school heads reiterated that the Children Act of Parliament that seeks improve effective local working to safeguard and promote children’s well-being should be looked into.
“Parliament and the Ministry of Education must come up with rules and regulations to manage the Children Act in Education institutions to manage students. There is no regulation that is hwy rogue students walk scot free,” said Kahi Indimuli in Mombasa yesterday.
In January this year, National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) castigated the directive by the Ministry of Education that required all high school students to undergo a mandatory drug test following unrests in schools across the country.
The push came after Maranda High School students were required by the school Board of Management to produce a mandatory certificate of drug test and pay a fine of Sh5,125 before readmission to school after they burned their dormitory to ashes in November 2021.
