The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has urged the Ministry of Education to take action against the administration of Alliance Girls High School, following alleged sexual misconduct by a teacher at the school.
The allegations surfaced after some students and alumni of the school confessed to having been sexually assaulted by the teacher during an investigation conducted by African Uncensored.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 8, FIDA Chairperson Christine Kungu, who blamed the school’s leadership for being reluctant to act against the teacher, stressed that disciplinary and legal action should be taken against all those who were in any way involved in the incidents.
"We demand that the Ministry of Education hold the school accountable for its failure to safeguard students from harm and initiate disciplinary and legal action against those responsible for enabling the abuse," Kungu stated.
Kungu has further urged the ministry to issue a directive to all schools to ensure that institutions across the country establish a clear mechanism enabling teachers to respond effectively to sexual and gender-based violence occurring within schools.
FIDA has also urged the Alliance Girls High School board to initiate a transparent probe into the said teacher and take appropriate action against him.
"The Ministry also issues a directive requiring all schools, public and private, to adopt clear policies on gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH), including mandatory annual training and assessments for all teachers on preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence," the statement read.
"The Ministry must also implement institutional mechanisms for students to report abuse without fear of retaliation. Finally, the Ministry must provide clear and enforceable measures to ensure the safety and dignity of all learners," it added.
The lawyers, who stressed the need for students who have been subjected to such incidents to come forward and speak out, assured that they will offer the necessary legal and psychological support to ensure that justice is served.
FIDA affirmed that protecting the welfare of students would be a key first step in streamlining and restoring dignity in the country’s education sector.
"We applaud the survivors for breaking their silence and challenging a culture of impunity within the school that has, for too long, threatened the safety and dignity of students at Alliance Girls High School," FIDA said.
"Schools, as spaces of learning and growth, must be held to the highest standards when it comes to protecting the best interests of the child," it added.
