National government through the ministry of education has been urged to come up with long term measures to end frequent strikes in schools.
Speaking during a fundraising to collect funds to support pay school fees for three children of a member of Bumula West FM Salaams club in Bumula ward, Bumula Constituency in Bungoma County, former principal of Chiliba Secondary school Pius Masinde said that the removal of corporal punishment in schools has contributed a lot to the alarming rate of indiscipline cases among students at the moment.
“I don’t know why it is becoming a trend that schools are striking, Bungoma County is on the top list. Maybe the long holiday due to Corona Virus could be the cause where children were used to drinking alcohol and using other drugs. I can’t blame parents on this although in a way but I will blame our national approach to discipline in schools because children are not properly put to discipline, there is something emerging about guidance and counseling, it is very good but not satisfactory, that only cannot impart enough discipline values on children,” said Masinde
“I don’t actually advocate for corporal punishment but it does magic, children are so free they dictate things in families, so many families are unable to contain their children.
They had a lot of freedom while at home and now they have to dance to the tune of school rules which is now impossible for them, these children have been used to freedom and now they are subjected to tests others are anticipating national exams so fever and exam phobia has set in and I think when these things compound they become restless,” he explained
“This wave has began in Bungoma County and I know it is going to spread over to other counties, we would wish the Education Cabinet Secretary and even the Head of State to come up with a firm stand about discipline in our schools lest we risk having a laissez-faire generation. I grew up in a society where teachers were saying that the ears of an African child are on the buttocks, strike the buttocks and the child will respond, may be that is where we are supposed to go back,” he suggested
Bungoma South West FM Salaams clubs administrator Operator Meshack Wafula wa Lunao appreciated West Media for supporting and standing with them whenever needed as he urged parents to be close to their children and guide them accordingly to reduce indiscipline cases that are being experienced in schools.
“First and foremost I would like to thank West Media for standing with us, right now we are in a home of one of Bumula West Fm Salaams club member where we have come to fundraise for her three children to go to school, my request to parents is that let us talk to our children so that they get to know what took them to schools and avoid causing trouble that result to strikes and end up burning and destroying school property,” urged Operator
Scholastic Oketch a member of Bumula West FM Salaams club who her children were being contributed for thanked her fellow fans who turned up in large numbers to stand with her as she urged Bumula residents who are not in any Salaams group to join and benefit from several projects being undertaken by West Media fans groups.
“I would really want to applaud West Fm members, my friends and all neighbors who heard my call and came to stand with me so that my children can continue with their studies, I am appealing to anybody who is here and is not in any Salaams club please come and join us so that we may walk and work together for the better,” recommended Scholastic
Schools that have so far closed due to students unrest in Bungoma County are; Chesamisi Boys High School, St. Lukes Kimilili Boys, Ndivisi Boys, Namwela Boys, Teremi Boys High School Kabula Secondary School and Bukembe Boys.
More than One hundred and fifty thousand shillings was raised during the event.