Return of arson attacks blamed on long closure of schools
According to Indimuli Kahi, chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association, last year’s nine-month closure of schools may have fueled the return of arson attacks in schools.
He stated that boys were most likely working, while others ran small businesses or even worked with their parents, making it difficult for them to re-adjust to strict school routines.
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Principals believe that last year’s long school closure to combat Covid-19 may have rekindled arson attacks in secondary schools.
Over the years, the second term of school calendars has been marked by chaos, with students demolishing school structures.
In the most recent fire, horrifying footage shows some Buruburu Girls students jumping from the first and second floors of a burning dormitory.
The Buruburu incident happened at the same time as a similar case reported at Chavakali Boys in Vihiga county.
The incidents occurred only three days after a fire destroyed a section of a dormitory at Kanjuri High School in Nyeri during morning preps.
In September, 40 students were taken to the hospital after inhaling smoke from a school fire at Ofafa Jericho High.
Sigalame Boys High School, Moi Girls Marsabit, Kabarak High School, and Gendia Secondary School are among the other institutions that have burned down.
The majority of arson incidents have occurred in boarding schools.
“It has been almost an entire year at home due to coronavirus restrictions, and now these students…are finding this the perfect time to vent out their frustrations,” Kahi said.
Fear of exams, opposition to headteachers, peer pressure, changes in education policies, and indiscipline, according to National Parents Association chairman Nicholas Maiyo, have been blamed for this year’s wave of unrest.
According to students who spoke to the Star, there is a chasm between them and the administration.
They claimed that this prevented them from engaging in meaningful dialogue and reaching a peaceful resolution. They chose to target institutions because their grievances are typically school-related.
According to the students, they are dismissed rather than acknowledged.
High-handedness, unaccountable management styles, poor quality diets, and insufficient learning resources are among the most frequently cited complaints.
However, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha stated that there is no good reason for students to destroy school property.
Return of arson attacks blamed on long closure of schools
