Property of unknown value was razed to the ground on Sunday night, January 2, after a fire gutted St. Luke catholic primary school.
The fire started in the middle of the night just as the school administration was preparing to receive learners on opening day.
However, the school stated that the cause of the fire is yet to be established.
By the end of the second school term, over 31 schools had been razed down by fires suspected to have been started by students in cahoots with staff and outsiders.
The wave of school fires in the country left parents and other education stakeholders demanding solutions from the government.
Schools, on the other hand, were also not lenient with parents and guardians in cases where the property was destroyed. Parents were compelled to fork out thousands to help facilitate the reconstruction of the infrastructure.
Additionally, Kenyans also called out the government for not tightening its grip on learners with Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Education, Prof. George Magoha, issuing a directive on the fire incidences.
Prof Magoha stated that the government would not take responsibility for the loss incurred by schools following the recent spike in fire incidences, which saw dormitories, laboratories and classes go up in flames.
The CS stated that the government would not contribute towards rebuilding dormitories burnt by students.
Magoha challenged teachers and parents to be tough on students and be vigilant to prepare them to go through life as well as urging teachers to feel free to discipline the children.
He also proposed that chaplains be posted in schools to curb the rising cases of indiscipline in schools.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) warned students against involvement in arson attacks adding that they will archive and consolidate charges for any student involved in a crime which would reflect in their Certificate of Good Conduct.
