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Kenya: Heads Push for Overhaul of the School System
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The Nation (Nairobi)
24 July 2008
Posted to the web 24 July 2008
Peter Ngare
Nairobi
Key players in education have termed measures announced by minister Sam Ongeri to curb school strikes short-term and want a lasting solution.
Students of Sunshine School in Nairobi leave for home after the school was closed as the wave of student protests rocked more than 10 schools on Wednesday. Photo/ JENNIFER MUIRURI
The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association on Wednesday said the education system was ailing and required an overhaul if the riots are to be addressed effectively. "I believe the measures are meant to enable school managers get control of the situation.
"But we must admit that the genuine issues are yet to be addressed. There are no quick fixes to the crisis we are facing," said the association chairman, Mr Cleophas Tirop.
He added: "The real problem is with the education system. We have to look into the emerging issues like the rights of children and the role of each player in education."
Experts have maintained that the problem is deeply rooted and the measures issued by the minister were just remedial and could not root out the real causes of the unrest.
During a crisis meeting in Nairobi on Sunday to discuss the strikes, participants raised a number of issues, among them concerns over teachers who had stayed at one station for more than five years.
Private activities
They complained that the teachers were so busy with private engagements that they were unable to effectively enforce discipline.
"After staying in a school for many years, teachers are starting other income- generating activities in the locality. They are preoccupied with these activities to perform their duties effectively," the meeting was told.
The stakeholders also recommended a fresh look at the Children Act to equip teachers with some instruments to instil discipline.
Teachers have been complaining that Section 13, 18 and 23 of the Act has denied them power to punish wayward students.
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The Acts guard the children against physical and psychological abuse. Defying the law can land a teacher in jail for a year.
The Ministry of Education is not thinking straight and is reacting to students riots in myopic anger. Guys, sober up and strategize. Some of the students are reported to have demanded the following: 1.Unconditional re-admission to their former schools-(those still running); 2.Amnesty be extended to them for advancing their just cause (human rights-haki yao- their democratic rights -(Sounds familiar?)(i)not to sit for Mock Exams which stresses them unnecessarily.(ii)Carry electronic gadgets to school and use them unhindered.(iii) Decide their menus(iv)No punishment of any kind/type from teachers because teachers are said to be high handed. Please, ladies and gentlemen- these are our... [Read Full Text]
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