Kieni Member of Parliament Kanini Kega has called for the re-introduction of corporal punishment in schools, saying that it is the only way to bring back sanity in the education sector.
The MP said that wanton destruction of school property will continue if proper measures are not taken to bring students’ rampage to an end through instilling discipline on them.
“The Ministry of Education should re-introduce caning of students in schools because this is the only way this issue of destructive behaviours by students can be addressed,” he said.
He added that other excuses such as poor school diet and harassment by teachers were poor excuses by the undisciplined students to enable them wreak havoc in the schools.
Kega said that the government must start treating errant students like criminals in the ordinary societal setup regardless of age in order to deter others from engaging in such vices.
He blamed the laxity in dealing with 'criminal' students for increased cases of arson at schools.
“I was in school and I am fully aware of reasons that cause students to behave in a certain a way. I therefore know that caning wayward students is the best way to change them,” he said.
Kanini who was speaking in Mweiga also blamed parents saying they have failed to shape the behaviors of their children and that has made most of them to misbehave in school.
“Parents have also failed to do their part and this is why many children are undisciplined," he said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has blamed the issue on political and social factors of the wider society, national exam scam networks, among others.