BANNING AND BURNING IN KENYAN SCHOOLS I
BANNING AND BURNING IN KENYAN SCHOOLS I
The Kenyan educational sector has undergone several changes in the recent past. With most experts appealing for change of the educational system, some have also argued that the major problem is not the 8-4-4 system but the curriculum. Again, the changes that have been brought up to help the situation have proven to be more poisonous to the sector.
Barely a year since the appointment of Dr Fred Matiang’i as the Cabinet Secretary of education, he has been applauded for various reforms and at the same time slated for some. It all begun by the banning of remedial classes and holiday tuition as they were termed as ways by which teachers exploit parents and the learners get overworked.
It’s this year also that we saw ranking of candidates and schools in the national examinations being abolished. This was a strategy to reduce unhealthy competition leading to exam cheating in the national exams and to avoid traumatizing the candidates who fail. In addition to this, repetition of classes was also illegalized. No student is to be forced to repeat any class even if he fails to pass the promotion test.
And now early this year, are the bans on use of make ups and putting on see through dresses by female teachers. In the list of bans include also the banning of all social events in schools during the third term. These include visitations, prayer days and invitation of motivational speakers.
After all these bans follows flames all over. Within two months, uncountable number of schools a have burnt down due to petty reasons. On 25th July, Itiero boys went rioting and set ablaze their seven dormitories, went ahead and invaded the neighboring Itiero girls. The bedlam arose after they were denied a chance to watch a late night football match.
As Kenyans remained shocked the by rise of student hooliganism, Nyamache Secondary school was on fire just hours after the minister’s visit. This was followed by Malongo Pentecostal Assemblies of God Secondary school, Givole secondary school in Vihiga where 11 students were injured and later Kaimosi High school, St Theresa Kitale and now as we speak, school fires make headlines each and every day.
Should we associate the school fires with the bans by the ministry of education or should we take them as normal accidents? I will give my opinion on the second part of this article.
The Kenyan educational sector has undergone several changes in the recent past. With most experts appealing for change of the educational system, some have also argued that the major problem is not the 8-4-4 system but the curriculum. Again, the changes that have been brought up to help the situation have proven to be more poisonous to the sector.
Barely a year since the appointment of Dr Fred Matiang’i as the Cabinet Secretary of education, he has been applauded for various reforms and at the same time slated for some. It all begun by the banning of remedial classes and holiday tuition as they were termed as ways by which teachers exploit parents and the learners get overworked.
It’s this year also that we saw ranking of candidates and schools in the national examinations being abolished. This was a strategy to reduce unhealthy competition leading to exam cheating in the national exams and to avoid traumatizing the candidates who fail. In addition to this, repetition of classes was also illegalized. No student is to be forced to repeat any class even if he fails to pass the promotion test.
And now early this year, are the bans on use of make ups and putting on see through dresses by female teachers. In the list of bans include also the banning of all social events in schools during the third term. These include visitations, prayer days and invitation of motivational speakers.
After all these bans follows flames all over. Within two months, uncountable number of schools a have burnt down due to petty reasons. On 25th July, Itiero boys went rioting and set ablaze their seven dormitories, went ahead and invaded the neighboring Itiero girls. The bedlam arose after they were denied a chance to watch a late night football match.
As Kenyans remained shocked the by rise of student hooliganism, Nyamache Secondary school was on fire just hours after the minister’s visit. This was followed by Malongo Pentecostal Assemblies of God Secondary school, Givole secondary school in Vihiga where 11 students were injured and later Kaimosi High school, St Theresa Kitale and now as we speak, school fires make headlines each and every day.
Should we associate the school fires with the bans by the ministry of education or should we take them as normal accidents? I will give my opinion on the second part of this article.
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