MPs on Thursday hinted at the possible return
of cane in schools as the National Assembly's Committee on Education launched
an inquiry into the rising cases of student unrest across the country.
The committee,
chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, said it will undertake a comprehensive
investigation into the causes of recurring unrest in learning institutions and
recommend measures to restore discipline.
Speaking
during a committee session, lawmakers expressed concern over the growing trend
of school unrest, arson attacks and indiscipline, arguing that existing
disciplinary mechanisms may not be adequate to address the crisis.
Some members
suggested that the country may need to revisit past disciplinary approaches,
including corporal punishment, which was outlawed years ago.
Magarini MP
Harrison Kombe said the country must review the ‘excessive’ rights accorded to
learners and reinstate some measures like caning which worked ion enforcing
discipline among students.
“Should our children
have rights and privileges? Because the right that a child cannot be caned has
spoilt our children,” Kombe said.
“The cane was
really working for our children, some things has to be done.”
The lawmaker
also blamed the current crisis on overborrowing from the Western world and
abandoning disciplinary measures that works locally.
“We are going
with the world, but as far as
I am concerned, they are killing Africa,” he said.
Kenya
officially banned caning and corporal punishment in schools in 2001 to align
with international human rights standards and protect children from systemic
abuse, violence and trauma.
The practice
was outlawed through a Gazette notice
by the Ministry of Education and the enactment of the Children’s Act, followed
by broader constitutional protections
Melly, weighing on the matter, said there is urgent need to restore the social fabric,
a situation he noted has fuelled the unrest.
“Kenya
completely has lost the social fabric, as teachers or former teachers, we know
well that children learn from seeing than instructions,” Melly said.
The lawmaker said the society has not helped in setting good examples
to the learners.
“If you want them to burn more then continue burning
tyres on our roads, police station – they copy from us.”
The chairman
spoke when he announced the committee will start an inquiry into the root causes of unrest in learning
institutions.
The inquiry
comes in the wake of the tragic fire at Utumishi Academy that claimed the lives
of 16 learners.
The incident
was followed by heightened tension in several schools, forcing authorities to
close some institutions as a precautionary measure.
Melly said the
committee intends to summon officials from the Ministry of Education, the
National Police Service and the Teachers Service Commission to shed light on
the root causes of the unrest and propose lasting solutions.
"We want
to understand what is driving these incidents and what interventions are
required to protect learners, teachers and school property," he said.
The committee
will also embark on public hearings across various counties where it will
engage parents, teachers, student leaders, religious leaders and education
stakeholders.
The
consultations are expected to gather views on discipline, mental health, the
impact of technology, parental responsibility and the effectiveness of current
education policies.
School unrest has become a recurring challenge, with
some institutions recording cases of arson, destruction of property and clashes
between students and school administrations.
Education
stakeholders are expected to present views on the proposal to reintroduce
caning as a way of enforcing discipline.
While some
argue that stricter disciplinary measures are necessary to restore order,
others maintain that modern approaches focusing on counselling, mentorship and
parental involvement offer more sustainable solutions.
The
committee's findings are expected to shape policy reforms aimed at addressing
discipline challenges in schools and preventing further tragedies.
Its final
report will be tabled before the National Assembly for consideration and
possible legislative action.
