The Ministry of Education has come under fire over incessant disruption of learning.
This follows teachers’ strikes, students’ unrest, fires and delayed remittance of capitation.
In a heated debate in the Senate, lawmakers raised concerns over the state of affairs in schools accusing the ministry of slow action.
“It is very depressing for parents to take their children to school only to be asked to pick their bodies,” Machakos Senator Kavindu Muthama said.
Two weeks ago, 21 students died after a fire burnt down a dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Academy.
Schools in Isiolo and Machakos have also reported fires.
“My son turned 12. I would tremble to think that I would send him to a boarding school to pick up skills and relate with other children, only for him to come back in a body bag,” Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ said.
The senators demanded that the CS Julius Migosi-led ministry explains the causes of student unrest and the increasing number of fires.
“Outline the policy of the Ministry of Education on the safety of pupils and students in schools and disclose measures taken to enhance safety of those in boarding schools,” Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda said.
The angry senators also want the Ministry to explain any existing emergency protocols for handling fire outbreaks and other disasters.
The ministry is also required to state steps to enact a harmonised disaster preparedness and emergency policy, including mandatory emergency drills in all schools.
“State measures in place to ensure accountability and compensation to families of victims injured or succumbing to school fires and other disasters,” Ojienda said.
The ministry is also expected to outline measures to protect pupils and students in boarding schools from the threat of human trafficking.
The officials will also disclose the budgetary allocations set aside to mitigate safety of pupils and students against fires and other disasters.
Further, the senators want the ministry to come clean on the factors that have contributed to the ever-recurring strikes by teachers.
“Explain how the recent teachers’ strike witnessed in August and September 2024 has impacted learners and the school calendar, though I can see the teachers are here,” Ojienda said.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna raised concerns over problems in higher education – including funding and lecturers’ strikes.
“I have asked myself severally, what is the problem with the funding model that we went through when I was in the university?” Sifuna asked.
Nominated Senator Miriam Omar asked the Ministry to take charge and inspect all learning institutions in the country.
“If they are not conducive for our children, they must be closed down,” she said.
Senator Kavindu said, “I ask the Committee to take very hasty measures to make sure they put the government to task because even students must be given security.”
“Even if it means policemen being employed and deployed to schools for the security of these children; it is important because they are helpless, they cannot protect themselves.'
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba said it is apparent, from the recent cases of school fires, that most schools are not compliant to the safety standards.
“I urge the Ministry of Education to have a team assess all the schools and provide a checklist. It should not be about a 67-page policy that is there,” she said.