Kenyans to Learn Without a Break, Minister Says Amid Student Unrest

This is a story you can't ignore, especially if you have kids in school. Kenya's Ministry of Education has ruled out early closure of schools for midterm amid a recent wave of student unrest across the country. Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at Kenya High School, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said that learning continues uninterrupted in most parts of the country, with only a few isolated incidents being addressed.

According to authorities, nine students suspected of planning and executing the arson attack at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil last week have been arrested. The fire tragedy left 16 students dead and 79 others injured, prompting the school's closure. The suspects cited several grievances, including changes to the school's examination schedule and mandatory contributions toward a cultural event.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba accused the school of failing to comply with safety regulations, saying it didn't adhere to the safety requirements stipulated in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations. In particular, there was congestion in the dormitory, and one exit door was locked, contrary to prescribed safety standards, he said. He announced the closure of the school after conducting a preliminary investigation, citing the serious safety breaches as the reason for the shutdown.

The closure of Utumishi Girls Academy adds to a growing list of schools shut down due to student unrest. Alliance High School in Kiambu was closed indefinitely after a fire destroyed about 200 mattresses in a school store. Police have detained ten students for questioning, with Principal David Chomba reporting the fire at about 3am. Several schools have been closed indefinitely during the second term, barely a month after reopening. These include Loreto High School, Limuru, Lenana School, Naivasha Girls High School, St Joseph's Seminary Senior School in Molo, and Tarakwa High School.

In Makueni County, five schools have been closed indefinitely after students torched dormitories at Kavuthu, Kyamuthei, Nguumo, and Kalama secondary schools. At Kaumoni Boys High School, students set fire to the administration block and classrooms, causing extensive damage. Student unrest in the institutions has largely been linked to complaints over food, living conditions, and academic pressure.

Bitok said that the unrest is being contained through dialogue with students and a nationwide audit of school safety standards. He added that the ministry is working closely with education stakeholders to address the root causes of the unrest. He emphasized that the country's education system remains committed to providing quality education to all students.

As the Ministry of Education continues to work towards resolving the crisis, Kenya's education system is at a crossroads. It's clear that the government needs to take concrete steps to address the grievances of students and teachers if it wants to prevent future unrest. Effective measures to ensure student safety and address academic pressures will be crucial in restoring stability to the education sector.

'The school didn't adhere to the safety requirements stipulated in the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations,' said Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.