School heads across the country are facing unprecedented pressure as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has called for stricter measures to curb the rising wave of school fires that continue to disrupt learning. The TSC has recommended severe consequences for perpetrators of arson, even pushing for possible jail terms.
This stance is a direct response to the alarming number of fires that have swept through various institutions during the critical third term.
The TSC has been unequivocal in its approach, urging school heads to take immediate action and involve law enforcement agencies in investigating the arson incidents. TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, in a recent circular, emphasised that the safety of learners is paramount.
“Engage law enforcement agencies in investigating cases of arson and indiscipline in schools with a view to recommending administrative and legal action to the perpetrators,” she stated.
One of the Wooden structures at the school in Endarasha
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This directive comes on the heels of repeated violations of safety standards by a number of schools. Many school heads have been found to be negligent in enforcing the provisions outlined in the Safety Standards Manual for Schools.
The manual is crucial for maintaining order and ensuring the well-being of students, but its lax implementation has left many institutions vulnerable to unrest. Macharia has warned that non-compliance will result in firm disciplinary action against those responsible.
A recent inspection revealed widespread flouting of safety regulations, which has led to both destruction of property and the tragic loss of life. The fires have cast a shadow over the academic calendar, with students preparing for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) now facing significant disruptions.
Over 100 schools have been forced to close temporarily due to fears of further unrest.
The situation has prompted calls for action at various levels of government. Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu, whose constituency in Makueni County has been hit particularly hard with 25 reported cases of unrest, has urged the government to consider implementing a mid-term break. He argued that such a break might help ease tensions and curb the wave of destruction. However, no such break exists in the third term, which is typically a crucial period for KCSE candidates.
Education officials have expressed deep concern over the rising cases of indiscipline and arson. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba pointed out that many schools are not adhering to the safety guidelines set out by the Ministry of Education. “Non-compliance has resulted in loss of lives and widespread damage to school infrastructure,” Ogamba remarked.
He also noted that the TSC’s intervention is timely, given the high stakes involved during this critical academic period.
The root cause of these fires, however, remains elusive. Initial reports suggest that some students are frustrated by a lack of mid-term breaks, compounded by the effects of the recently concluded teachers’ strike.
The strike, which lasted weeks, left many students idle, and tensions have remained high since its resolution. Students at some schools have reportedly expressed frustration over not being allowed to go home, further escalating the situation.
The Ministry of Education is expected to launch a comprehensive inspection of schools to get to the bottom of the unrest. This inspection will aim to unearth the reasons behind the fires and ensure stricter adherence to safety standards.
As Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang noted, “We need to understand what is driving this wave of destruction and put measures in place to prevent it from continuing.”
The TSC’s latest directive, which requires school heads and their deputies to be present on school grounds at all times, is one such measure aimed at curbing the chaos. The Commission has also mandated increased supervision of students to ensure that signs of unrest are addressed before they escalate.
The tragedy at Endarasha Hillside Academy, where 21 male students lost their lives in a dormitory fire, has brought the issue to a boiling point. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it has heightened the sense of urgency for both government officials and school administrators.
Part of a dormitory is seen following a fire at the Hillside Endarasha Primary in Nyeri,6 September 2024.
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