Educational and security leaders convened to discuss strategies for maintaining stability and ensuring the safety of students. The meeting, held in response to the indefinite closure of Kerugoya Boys and Karia Boys after dormitory fires, brought together key stakeholders, including the regional director of education, county commissioner, and county heads of education.
Sabina Aroni, Central Region Director of Education, emphasized that most incidents of unrest occur during the second term of the school calendar. She highlighted the spontaneous nature of some strikes, while others show warning signs that should be detectable by vigilant principals. Aroni urged school heads to be present on campus at all times and to address student needs diplomatically, involving teachers in their efforts to reach and understand the students.
“Principals should always be in school and respond to student needs in a diplomatic way, involving teachers in reaching out to students,” Aroni stated.
She clarified that while no specific individuals are being blamed for the unrest, investigations often reveal the involvement of teachers as contributing factors. Aroni also stressed the importance of allowing students to engage in entertainment activities and addressing them with appropriate language. She underscored the role of subordinate staff in unrest incidents and called for vigilance from school managers.
Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Allasow supported Aroni’s sentiments, emphasizing the ultimate responsibility of principals as the chief officers in charge of schools. He acknowledged the various theories about the sources of school unrest but maintained that the accountability lies with the school leadership.
“The back stops with the principal as the chief officer in charge of the school,” Allasow remarked.
The closure of Kerugoya Boys and Karia Boys highlights the urgent need for effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The meeting underscored several key strategies for addressing unrest:
- Proactive Detection: Principals should be trained to recognize early signs of unrest and take preventive measures.
- Increased Presence: School heads and teachers should be more present and engaged with students to address their concerns promptly.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Principals and teachers should use diplomatic approaches to communicate with students, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Entertainment and Recreation: Schools should provide adequate entertainment and recreational activities to keep students engaged and reduce stress.
- Vigilance: School managers should maintain vigilance over subordinate staff and other potential internal factors contributing to unrest.
The collaborative efforts of educational and security leaders in Kirinyaga County aim to create a safer and more stable learning environment for all students. The emphasis on proactive engagement, diplomatic communication, and vigilance is expected to mitigate the risk of future unrest and ensure the smooth functioning of educational institutions in the region.
