Bondo Member of Parliament MP Gideon Ochanda has called for the abolishment of boarding secondary schools.
According to the Bondo MP, that’s a way of curbing cases of arson in learning institutions mostly boarding schools.
Speaking during a visit to Bondo Teachers’ Training College, the MP said that all the boarding secondary schools need to be converted into day schools and if possible, the boarding sections be privatized.
“The earlier we convert the boarding secondary schools to day-schools the better for this country. Let the boarding wings that are there be run privately. We need to privatize the boarding section of the secondary schools such that if you are a parent and you are able to afford, let your kids stay in the boarding and the accommodation section be private for the ones who can afford,” he explained.
The legislator stated that arrangements can be made such that the academic part is what is run by the government then the accommodation part is handled privately.
“We privatize the boarding section and the other section, the academic part of it, handles the curriculum. We separate that such that those who can afford, they stay in boarding as though they are staying in hotels or in hostels. Let all boarding schools be day school and if at all they must have boarding schools let the boarding be private,” he added.
At the same time, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo who was speaking at a separate meeting in Wagwer Primary School in Gem constituency pointed out that in order to end the increasing cases of unrest and burning of schools, the current education calendar should be reviewed.
The lawmaker noted that it is high time the government relooked at the education calendar and analyzed it to see whether it has anything to do with the arson cases.
“We have the opportunity as parliament and the education committee to interrogate the student calendar to ascertain whether it’s making the students burn schools,” he said.
PS @Karanjakibicho on the role of @ngaosKE in addressing school fires in the country. pic.twitter.com/Vxz30GASUw
— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) November 17, 2021
Mr. Odhiambo further asked parents to also talk to their children to stop burning schools, adding that the level of discipline should also be enhanced in schools even if it will mean reintroducing corporal punishment.
“Am asking the parents to talk to the children. We must have discipline in schools even if it means reintroducing caning,” said Odhiambo
More than a hundred schools have been razed down by students who seem to be overwhelmed in the class work.
Schools on fire:
Jamhuri School closed after fire torched a dormitory on Sunday
14 girls arrested after Dormitory fire at Kerugoya girls school#CitizenBriefs pic.twitter.com/qi7jETXRUU— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 15, 2021
The ministry of education has this week announced the resumption of the intercounty Co-curriculum activities to curb the rising school unrests.
Last week, the ministry through CS Magoha announced a 7 day mid-term break for learners across all institutions in the country.
The mid-term break will start on Friday 19th to Tuesday 23rd November.
