Makueni: The Makueni County Director of Education (CDE), Lydia Mutegi, has called on school principals to allow students to go home if necessary to prevent damage to school property. This comes after 10 incidents of school unrest in the county, including a significant case at Kaumoni Boys High School, where students set fire to several buildings, including the administration block, examination office, and kitchen.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mutegi emphasized the need for principals to remain alert, especially when students express a desire to go home. She noted that allowing students to leave could help reduce tension caused by recent fire incidents in other schools across the country. Addressing principals and heads of institutions during a Green Energy Promotion and Clean Cooking Advocacy Forum at Konza Technopolis in Mukaa Sub-county, she stated, “If the boys and girls want to go home, just release them to go; do not keep them in school.”
Mutegi revealed that 30 out of 399 schools in the region had already sent students home due to increasing tensions, and 10 institutions had experienced fire-related incidents. She urged for continuous surveillance in boarding schools to prevent students from causing damage to school property. “Remember the circular on boarding section detailing that there must always be an adult to man the institutions,” she reminded.
Furthermore, Mutegi advised principals to address students’ grievances promptly through open communication channels to handle issues swiftly and effectively. “You must be vigilant and listen to the students. The world is changing, and some of the accusations that you are ignoring could trigger some unwarranted reactions,” she said.
At the same forum, Dr. Johnson Ndivo, Chairperson of the Makueni County Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), urged clergy members to pray for schools during this challenging period. “It is very stressful to wake up and find students demanding to go home,” he commented.
The forum was also addressed by the Teachers Service Commission County Director, John Paul Wepoghe.
