Thika West District Education Officer Mr Ephantus Micheni Kaugi has blamed harsh methods of disciplining students on the rising cases of strikes in some schools across the country.
He said schools must come up with proper ways of disciplining students as some of the punishments have been causing havoc in schools.
He said he has information that some schools are employing harsh punishment methods and making students feel as if they are in a rehabilitation centre or a prison where they have little freedom to do anything or raise grievances.
“Some of these schools are employing the harshest ways and making children feel inferior and the results are strikes, damages and deaths,” Micheni said.
He called on the Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi to ensure he monitors the schools before laying blame on anyone as the officers have no access to some of the private schools in their areas which makes it hard for them to monitor education fully.
Kaugi, who spoke to parents of Thika Primary school during their annual general meeting on Monday, urged teachers to ensure they engage the students into counselling. He warned students should not be treated like prisoners.
“If a student reforms from drugs and you punish him/her then you expect nothing better than a burnt dormitory. The children need counselling and engagement in the school affairs,” he added.
The DEO also faulted parents for leaving all the responsibilities to their teachers.