The Ministry of Education has issued a directive to school principals as it seeks to intervene on recent cries by parents over expulsions by schools. Following the increase in complaints, the ministry has finally given out specific protocols that the principals should adhere to in matters of discipline.
In a speech delivered during the opening of the KESSHA Conference in Mombasa, Paul Kibet, the Director in Charge of Secondary Education, emphasized that only principals have the mandate to suspend students. This power belongs to them and them alone—not deputy principals—wielding the hammer of suspension, at least for now.
Even in cases where a student is supposed to be meted out punishment, an officer from the Ministry, as well as the student’s guardian, must be present. That invokes a courtroom setting in the school for disciplinary cases, ensuring whatever decision made is fair and open.
Kibet also highlighted that school rules and regulations must now be approved by the BoM and put forth to the public for scrutiny. That is because not only does it incorporate the views of other stakeholders, but it also ensures that once implementation starts, there are no loopholes—meaning it garners general acceptance.
Still speaking but in a different section, Elijah Mungai, the Director in Charge of Project Coordination and Delivery, stated unequivocally that no student should be sent home just for the sole reason of a lack of school fees. He said this to apparently keep students in school and ensure the continued education of learners.
Victoria Angwenyi, Director in Charge of School Audit, assured all concerned parties that the government has equipped schools with all necessary learning materials. She said this in response to issues relating to missing textbooks and other such materials; she assured the principals that they will be responsible for the stock keeping of these materials.
These are the new directives from the Ministry, meaning there is no room that the principals will be giving orders that cannot be supported by the procedures in place, nor is there to be a case of lack of resources for any of the students.
Official communication from the Ministry and updates will be available from time to time, and as such, principals are encouraged to seek such information exclusively from the relevant official Ministry of Education sources, ensuring that there is no confusion about any particular aspect of the disciplinary process.