Failing Our Children: The Disturbing State of Safety in Schools
The decline in commitment to duty of care in our schools is truly appalling.
Schools are meant to be safe havens for our children, where they can learn and grow without fear of harm. However, the current state of affairs in our schools is a cause for grave concern.
The incidents of violence against students, outbreaks of diseases, and lack of proper medical care are not isolated occurrences, but rather a disturbing pattern that needs to be addressed immediately.
A Form Four student in Kisii recently had to undergo reconstructive surgery due to a severe beating inflicted by five teachers and a security guard, which lasted for almost two hours. The beating was so severe that it caused damage to one of his testicles.
The boy was taken to the hospital bleeding profusely and had to undergo emergency surgery even before his parents arrived.
The student was reportedly beaten because he was accused of being in possession of a leaked examination paper, but even if this accusation were true, it does not in any way justify the brutal treatment he endured.
In Nyamira, a Grade 4 pupil sustained serious injuries after allegedly receiving 107 strokes of the cane from a teacher when he went to report the theft of his clothes from the dormitory.
In March, a Form One student at Njoro Girls School in Nakuru County died shortly after being taken to the hospital. The post-mortem report revealed that she had died from acute pneumonia. Her family has raised questions about why she was kept in the dormitory for three days without proper medical care.
These are just a few of the incidents reported in March and April of this year, and they raise serious concerns about the state of our schools. If someone were to come to Kenya for the first time and hear these stories, they would be horrified at the thought of sending their children to study here.
And it’s not just the physical violence that is a cause for concern. There have also been outbreaks of diseases in schools, resulting in hundreds of students being admitted to hospitals. At Mukumu Girls, an undisclosed illness has resulted in the deaths of three students and the boarding mistress.
The school has been closed indefinitely as questions arise about the cause of this tragic turn of events. Another school, Mukuuni School in Tharaka Nithi, has also been closed after nearly 40 students complained of stomach pains.
In Transmara, over 40 students at Shankoe Secondary are receiving treatment for an unknown ailment. These two incidents were reported just today (Thursday).
The frequency and widespread nature of these cases within a short period of time are deeply alarming. When parents send their children to school, they are entrusting them to the care of the school management with the expectation that their safety and well-being will be ensured while they pursue an education.
However, parents are increasingly complaining about the lack of communication and information from schools when incidents occur, which only adds to their distress.
It is imperative that the authorities and the government prioritize the safety and well-being of our schools, as these reports of negligence and lapses in duty of care are coming in on a daily basis.
The silence and inaction from the authorities is concerning and urgent steps need to be taken to address the situation before it deteriorates further.
Failing Our Children: The Disturbing State of Safety in Schools