The education minister’s suggestion to reintroduce caning in schools as a way of curbing the indiscipline being witnessed in a number of schools across the country, has elicited mixed reactions from the Kakamega county leaders. Nominated senator Naomi Shiyonga is among the few who have stood with the ministers suggestion arguing that lack of punishment in schools has contributed to the rise in indiscipline.
Shiyonga argues that teachers should be given the mandate to punish students whenever they flout school rules since a number of them have not been brought up well. According to her, caning will help curb the many cases of discipline being reported across the country as at now.
This has however been criticized by the Lurambi Mp Titus Khamala who on his part argues that students may be facing exam fever while others may be stressed up from home.
” Students have been home for a while and maybe they are not yet ready to sit exams, others come from violent homes and lack somebody to guide them, let the ministry find a better way to deal with social issues other than corporal punishment.” said Khamala.
He suggested that religious leaders be involved in school management to help instill values among the students since others lack such opportunities while at home. This has been emphasized by the Shinyalu Mp Hon. Kizito Mugali who warns against caning. He argues that Kenya is in the 21 st century and going back to caning is backwards.
Kizito says that the best remedy for the students is being listened to and then being guided on the way forward for most of them were used to relaxing and are uncomfortable with the tight schedule at school as at now.
According to the Ketca chair Joel Gitali, students might have been engaging in the use of drugs and pre-marital affairs during the long holiday that they have been at home. Discipline according to him may escalate the cases and thus guiding and counseling from the right stakeholders may work.
He adds that students should also be given enough time to relax and jog with their mind as they adopt slowly to the school rules.