Education lobby group Elimu Yetu Coalition has asked the Ministry of Education to take appropriate legal action on students involved in the destruction of school property during strikes and riots.
The lobby’s co-ordinator Janet Muthoni said the Ministry of Education and all stakeholders in the sector need to take drastic measures to end the increasing cases of student unrest in schools.
Ms Muthoni said the persistent unrest being witnessed in various schools across the country was due to lack of action against perpetrators who committed the crimes.
She said students involved in school unrest need to be punished to send a clear message to other students and parents who are using students to cause chaos in their fight against school managements.
“We have juvenile jails in this country where students with criminal records can be kept. We do not want to see children involved in burning of schools walking freely while those involved in petty crimes are cooling their feet in prison,” said Muthoni.
Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Wednesday ordered that those under 18 years of age should be prosecuted in juvenile courts.
He said investigations are ongoing and the students who will be found culpable of causing destruction of property in the affected schools will be prosecuted.
“Boards of Management will carry out thorough investigations in the affected schools and ensure the students who will be found culpable face appropriate legal action,” said the CS.
Matiang’i however assured parents of the safety of their children in schools but urged them to exercise their parental responsibility by counselling their children accordingly.