CS Julius Ogamba has announced that students involved in indiscipline cases, including arson and riots, will sit KCSE exams outside their schools.
Kenya’s education sector is grappling with increasing student unrest, forcing the government to take unprecedented measures. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has directed that KCSE candidates implicated in serious indiscipline cases will sit their exams at external centres rather than within their schools.
The directive comes amid a spate of school unrest, particularly in the South Rift, where more than 10 secondary schools have suffered massive destruction. Dormitory fires, vandalism, and theft have left parents paying heavy surcharges to repair damages.
CS Ogamba stressed that such criminal acts would not go unpunished. He noted that some students have already been arrested for torching school buildings after sneaking in petrol. “School rules must be followed. You cannot destroy property and still expect normal privileges,” he warned.
He further clarified that disciplinary procedures must be followed before expulsion, ensuring fairness in the process. For non-candidate students, especially in Form Two and Form Three, penalties may include learning from home.
PS Prof Julius Bitok underscored the importance of vigilance, urging county directors to engage students before unrest escalates. He also appealed to parents, religious leaders, and local communities to help curb indiscipline, noting that exam season is a particularly delicate period.
Parents, on the other hand, are demanding more decisive action. They argue that the constant destruction not only affects school infrastructure but also drains their finances.
The National Parents Association has thrown its weight behind the ministry, insisting that students who engage in criminal activity should face legal and academic consequences. With KCSE exams weeks away, the government’s resolve to enforce discipline could be a turning point in restoring sanity in schools.
