The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General, Wilson Sossion, has explained the recent incidents of students' unrest in secondary schools around the country.
Mr Sossion stated that the recent stringent regulations issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i had sparked tension leading to chaotic strikes by the learners.
The KNUT leader added that students were protesting against the long second terms that would keep them in school for an extended period.
“The burning of schools is a reaction from students all over the country and ought to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Sossion was quoted by the Nation.
In a bid to curb the rampant exam cheating, CS Matiang'i banned midterms, visiting days, prayers' day and all other social activities during the academic third term.
The Cabinet Secretary also stated that this year's second term would be extended by one week hence schools would break for the holidays on August 12.
Mr Sossion noted that the move was working against schools adding that: “to withdraw them (social activities) is to open the doors for a wave of unrest”.
In the last two weeks, over fifteen schools have witnessed students' unrest and burning of dormitories.
The schools include; Shiners Boys Secondary School, Longisa High School, Meru School, Londiani High, Kabianga high in Kericho, Nyamache Boys Secondary School in Kisii, Machongo Pentecostal Assemblies of God Secondary School, St John’s Nyamagwa Boys High, St Mary’s Nyamagwa Girls High (Kisii), Kongoi Secondary School, Nambale High School (Busia) Bonyunyu Secondary School (Nyamira), Mukuyu Mixed Secondary School, Uriri High in Migori, Komothai Boys and Girls Secondary Schools.
Some of the schools have closed indefinitely following damage on property of unknown value.
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