School Congestion fueling Student Unrest, Government told

By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

The call comes amid growing concern over a series of student disturbances reported in schools across Kenya in recent weeks, placing the Ministry of Education under increasing pressure to address the underlying causes of the unrest.

Speaking during the Education Day celebrations at Holy Family Kabati Parish in Kitui West Constituency, Kitui County, Reverend Father Julius Muthamba urged the Ministry of Education to introduce clear guidelines on the maximum number of students that schools should admit in each class.

While education stakeholders and leaders have offered differing views on the matter, with some blaming parents for poor upbringing and others condemning students' behaviour, the Catholic priest pointed to gaps in education policy as a major contributing factor.

According to Fr. Muthamba, excessive enrolment has resulted in overcrowded classrooms and dormitories, making it difficult for school administrators to effectively manage students and provide a conducive learning environment.

“The government should formulate a policy specifying the number of students and pupils to be admitted in each class in order to reduce congestion in classrooms and dormitories. The responsibility of determining student intake should not be left entirely to school administrators, as some institutions admit more learners than they can adequately accommodate and manage,” said Fr. Muthamba.

He noted that while some schools struggle with overcrowding, others have insufficient student populations, creating an imbalance in the distribution of educational resources and opportunities. “Many of the schools that have experienced unrest are among the most congested institutions, with inadequate facilities and overstretched resources. The government should establish a strong policy to regulate enrolment and ensure that schools accommodate only the number of students they can comfortably support,” he added.

Fr. Muthamba also called on parents to play a more active role in nurturing discipline and good behaviour among their children. “Many of the challenges facing schools today, including violence and indiscipline, can be traced to poor upbringing. Parents must work closely with teachers and schools to guide their children and support their education,” he said.

The cleric further urged the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to initiate comprehensive consultations aimed at addressing the root causes of school unrest. He emphasised the need for adequate investment in school facilities and resources to create safe and supportive learning environments.

He expressed optimism that collaborative efforts between the government, educators, parents and other stakeholders will help prevent future incidents and promote quality education across the country.