Church Leaders Propose Abolishing Boarding Schools, Citing Indiscipline

The Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya has called for the gradual scrapping of boarding schools due to rising indiscipline among learners. Led by Bishop Samuel Njiriri, the clergy argue that schools have become breeding grounds for social misfits due to peer influence and lack of proper parental guidance.

Speaking in Nairobi, Bishop Njiriri observed that boarding schools have contributed to the problem of indiscipline among learners, citing peer pressure, reduced parental supervision, and weakened moral guidance as key factors. “Boarding schools have become breeding grounds for social misfits due to peer influence and lack of proper parental guidance,” he said. The Federation also blamed parents for relegating their responsibilities to the teachers instead of being part and parcel of their children’s development.

“Parents should take a more active role in shaping their children’s behavior, including instilling discipline that must begin at home before the learners join the institutions of learning,” Bishop Njiriri added. He also proposed that surveillance systems in schools should be actively monitored in real time to prevent unrest and criminal incidents. At the same time, Bishop Njiriri suggested that schools should reintroduce regulated corporal punishment as part of broader efforts to restore discipline in schools.

### What the Church is Suggesting

The proposal by the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya is the latest in a series of calls for reforms in the education sector. The church argues that boarding schools are often left unattended, leading to indiscipline among learners. The clergy also blame parents for failing to provide their children with proper guidance, instead relying on teachers to instill discipline.

Bishop Njiriri proposed that schools should reintroduce regulated corporal punishment, which he believes will help to restore discipline in schools. He also noted that the surveillance systems in schools should be manned by trained personnel who can respond immediately to suspicious activity. “They should be used to prevent unrest and criminal incidents as they unfold,” he added.

### A Proposal that has Gained Support

The proposal by the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya has gained support from several quarters. Some parents have welcomed the call, arguing that it will help to restore discipline in schools. The parents believe that the changes will help their children to behave better and avoid social misfits. Others have expressed concerns about the impact on the education sector.

The proposal has also sparked a debate on the role of parents in shaping the behavior of their children. Some experts have argued that parents have a critical role to play in instilling discipline in schools. Parents should be actively involved in their children’s development, including teaching them right from wrong and monitoring their behavior. Others have suggested that the government should take a more proactive role in addressing the issue of indiscipline in schools.

### How the Proposal May Impact Learners

The proposal by the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya may have a significant impact on learners in boarding schools. If implemented, the changes may lead to a reduction in indiscipline among learners, and schools may see a rise in students following the rules and behaving responsibly. However, some experts have raised concerns about the potential negative impact on the education sector.

Some experts are worried that the proposal may limit the freedom of learners and may lead to a more restrictive school environment. The debate on the issue is ongoing, with some experts arguing that parents have a critical role to play in instilling discipline in schools. Others have suggested that the government should take a more proactive role in addressing the issue of indiscipline in schools.

### Key Facts

  • The Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya has proposed the scrapping of boarding schools.
  • The proposal was made by Bishop Samuel Njiriri, the chairman of the Federation.
  • The church blames parents for failing to provide their children with proper guidance.
  • Bishop Njiriri proposed that schools should reintroduce regulated corporal punishment.
  • The proposal has gained support from several quarters.
  • The debate on the issue is ongoing, with some experts arguing that parents have a critical role to play in instilling discipline in schools.
  • Others have suggested that the government should take a more proactive role in addressing the issue of indiscipline in schools.