By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-23 21:00:00
The trend of villagers storming schools and humiliating head teachers over poor 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results is becoming increasingly problematic. According to the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), at least three schools have been attacked. While parents have the right to question exam results, they should not interfere with the management of the institutions.
The recent school invasions are criminal attacks on institutions whose management is the responsibility of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as an agent of the Ministry of Education. These actions are unacceptable, as the individuals involved cannot accurately determine who is to blame for poor results, and they should not be allowed to take over the responsibility of education officials.
Even if they are unhappy with the results, these individuals should not take the law into their own hands. They should express their concerns and allow the authorities to handle the matter. It is commendable that the national government is taking firm measures to address the insecurity in public schools. Invading schools and marching head teachers out of the compound is not only wrong, but also criminal.
Those with grievances should convey them through their representatives to education commissioners in their counties and to local leaders. Security agencies, led by the National Intelligence Service, have been instructed to gather information on those involved in plots to destabilize schools.
The Education ministry, through the TSC, is responsible for ensuring that schools have competent heads and teachers. However, even incompetent teachers should not be physically attacked. There are guidelines in place for recruitment and performance evaluation.
Teachers in schools with poor exam results are now living in fear of potential attacks by community members. The TSC has had to transfer some teachers for their own safety. The school invasions following the release of the 2023 KCSE exam results are unfortunate and must be stopped.
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