Magoha Offers Solution to End Rising School Indiscipline

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Education CS Prof George Magoha assesses the resumption of learning at Muchonoke Secondary School in Embu County on Friday, January 15, 2021
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Education CS George Magoha and his juniors have offered a solution that they believe will end the rising cases of indiscipline in schools. 

Magoha and representatives from various religious institutions will hold several meetings to discuss the issue and hope to post chaplains in primary and secondary schools.

The task force will unveil a document in mid-February 2021, which will dictate the conduct of chaplains. It will also guide them on how to handle restlessness in schools

The meetings will be held at Kabarak University in Nakuru County. The religious officials will be drawn from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), National Council of Churches, National Association of Christian Chaplains, and the pentecostal churches and other churches. 

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Education CS George Magoha speaks to a primary school student
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"We are compiling data from all schools and also analysing practices of chaplains in various faith-based schools with a view of harmonising the same for a common document to be used by all schools," Stephen Munguti, the National Coordinator of Chaplains said.

The ministry is seeking to adopt the plan for the second time. In 2017, then Education CS Fred Matiang'i's (now Interior) attempts to post chaplains in schools backfired. 

Officials disclosed that the plan lacked a clear budget plan and policies. The ministry also wanted chaplains to work as teachers too, to save money. 

Other schools have adopted unique measures to curb unruly students. On January 19, 15 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates at Kayuyu Primary School in Kiharu, Murang'a County, signed an agreement with the Education Ministry after teachers raised concerns over their conduct.

Magoha blamed parents for the upsurge in indiscipline cases, lamenting that they are tolerating uncouth behaviour in their children and fail to nurture them well. 

"There is something called tough love. Our current parents don't give even one percent of tough love. They give stupid love. Currently, our parents are not listening. It's a societal problem. How are you treating your children? We treat them as eggs and force them on principals in schools. What do you think is going to happen?" he wondered. 

Several cases have been reported since schools reopened on Monday, January 4. From students attacking their colleagues to assaulting teachers and reporting to schools with crude weapons. 

On Monday, January 25, Chesamis Boys High School in Bungoma County was closed indefinitely after students rioted and destroyed property of unknown value.

"DCI (the Directorate of Criminal Investigations) would like to caution school going students to restrain themselves from engaging in criminal activities and instead focus on their education. 

"Any form of criminal activity shall be met with the full force of the law, regardless of one’s status in the society," DCI warned all students.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters along Kiambu Road
Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters along Kiambu Road
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke
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