As schools prepare to break for half term on November 19, due to the unprecedented outbreak of school fires, the government has yet again issued a stern warning to students involved in the acts of arson.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, November 10, Education Principal Secretary for the State Department for University Education and Research, Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, stated that students behind the fire incidents would miss out on university placements.
The PS went ahead to state that they were working with various security agencies to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
"In the case, it is put on record by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) that a student participated in school fires, if it's about opportunities, they should not get the opportunities to join the university because they can continue with their indiscipline and this will cost us a lot," the PS disclosed.
Nabukwesi also cautioned students against indiscipline cases, warning that their actions would have a negative effect on their future.
"Anybody who participates in the burning of schools is someone who is cursed. Such a person cannot benefit society no matter how much they are learned," he cautioned.
The statement by the PS comes after several directives have been issued by the government in relation to the fire incidents.
Previously, officials from the Ministry of Education insisted that the government would treat the case of school fires as criminal offenses.
During a ceremony at Machakos Boys High School, on November 8, Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, revealed that the government would not allow students responsible for the fires to transfer to public schools.
“You are not going to go to any other school. Definitely not a public school in this country. You will go back to ensure that your parents contribute to the rebuilding of the school that you have burnt.
"You must know that there is a consequence to it. We shall not handle you with Kid laws," Magoha warned.
Additionally, a section of education stakeholders has called for the return of corporal punishment explaining that the move would help in mitigating the rising cases of indiscipline in schools.
Over the past two weeks, over 50 students have been apprehended in connection with the incidences of school fires.
