The phenomenon of school fires in Kenyan public secondary schools: blame-games, scape-goats and the real culprits

Abstract

In any country, the task of caring and moulding the behavior of the youth requires a partnership between parents, teachers and the government. In Kenya, children in public secondary schools are ofte considered to be under the watch of these three segments. In recent times, Kenya has witnessed a series of studentinstigated school fires affecting dormitories, classrooms among other school structures. This paper reflects on this phenomenon of school fires and attempts to interrogate the real causes of the school-burning incidents. It argues that though parents are the chief custodians of discipline for their children, the government cannot detach itself from this enormous task. The layout of school discipline sytems and structures also requires some enhancement, necessarily by reinstating caning but by creating a conduceful environment in schools for student behavior management through a self-regulatory learner focused discipline enhancement prpgrammes. The paper also argues that the time has come when religious leaders should be involved in the moral and spiritual nurture of school-going youth in a more structured manner.